Worship December 15, 2024

CALL TO WORSHIP
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Opening Hymn On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry announces that the Lord is nigh:
Awake and listen, for he brings glad tidings of the King of kings!
Let every heart be cleansed from sin, make straight the way for God within,
and so prepare to be the home where such a mighty guest may come.
For you are our salvation, Lord, our refuge and our great reward;
Without your grace we waste away like flowers that wither and decay.
To heal the sick, stretch out your hand, and make the fallen sinner stand;
Shine out, an let your light restore earth’s own true loveliness once more.
To you, O Christ, all praises be, whose advent sets your people free;
whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Spirit, evermore.
Lighting of the Advent Candle Scherryl Bartlett
Congregational Response: Faced with the troubles and the suffering of the world, we choose to live in joy with God and one another. We will not turn away from the pain and the hurt in our world, and we will not stop rejoicing in God, whose salvation fills us to overflowing that God’s love might work through us and bring our troubled world hope, peace, and joy.
CALL TO CONFESSION
Prayer of Confession
God, you are coming to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring the work you do in us and in the world. We accept lies as truth, exploit our neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to make all things new.
Assurance of Pardon
RESPOND TO GOD’S GRACE Gloria Patri
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson Luke 3:7-18
Sermon “Knowing Where to Look”
Moment for Reflection
Hymn of Response O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, thou Wisdom from on high, and order all things, far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show, and cause us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING
Prayer of Dedication
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us - Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Prayers of the People & the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn of Sending Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates
Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates; behold, the King of glory waits!
The King of kings is drawing near, the Savior of the world is here!
Fling wide the portals of your heart; make it a temple, set apart
from earthly use for heaven's employ, adorned with prayer and love and joy.
Redeemer, come, I open wide my heart to you: here, Lord abide!
Let me your inner presence feel; your grace and love in me reveal.
So come, my Sovereign, enter in! Let new and nobler life begin!
Your Holy Spirit guide us on, until the glorious crown be won.
Charge and Blessing
Choral Extroit