Worship Service December 1, 2024
Order of Service
Call to Worship – Advent Wreath Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
See Insert – Leave Advent Wreath Insert in your pew for each week. (See end of order of worship items)
Opening Prayer of Confession Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All
The chances we have to be more compassionate;
the moments to offer hope to a lonely friend;
the good fortune we could give to those who have so little.
The signs are all around us, Good and Upright God,
of how we fail to live as your people.
Do not meditate on our bungling ways, God of steadfast love,
but remember the mercy of Your heart.
That mercy which forgives us; that mercy which makes us whole;
and especially, that living mercy who came down one night so long ago,
Jesus the Advent of our redemption.
Silent personal Confession
Assurance of Forgiveness
Raise your heads, children of God! In the bleak mid-winter of our lives,
our redemption draws near.
In the springtime of our doubts, the kingdom of God approaches.
Even when we feel most alone, the One who comes to us is the salvation promised so long ago. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven! Amen.
(c) Thom M. Shuman https://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com
Hymn for the Season O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Vss 1, 2, 3, 4 UMH 211
Life of the Church Rev. Cindy Lunsford (see bulletin)
Mission Moment – Pray over Toys
Affirmation of Faith Apostles’ Creed UMH 881 Sheri King/All
Gloria Patri UMH 071
Hymn of Praise Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming UMH 216
OFFERING OF OURSELVES
Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer Rev. Cindy Lunsford/All
Worship with Our Tithes & Offerings Steve Hawkins instrumental
Dedication & Offertory Rev. Warren Lunsford
Doxology UMH 095
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
Centering Song Adore by Chris Tomlin Steve Hawkins
PROCLAMATION
Prayer of Illumination Gary Seiler
Send your Spirit among us, O God,
as we meditate on your love.
Prepare our minds to hear your Word,
move our hearts to embrace what we hear,
and strengthen our will to follow your way.
This we pray through Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Psalm Psalm 25:1-10 UMH 756 Gina Elrod
Scripture Luke 21:25-36 Rev. Warren Lunsford
Message Waiting for the Uppertaker Rev. Warren Lunsford
WORSHIP AT THE TABLE
Great Thanksgiving & Communion UMH 9-10 (Insert) Rev. Warren Lunsford/All
Prayer After Communion:
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery
in which you have given yourself to us.
Grant that we may go into the world
in the strength of your Spirit,
to give ourselves for others,
in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN
GOING FORTH WITH CHRIST
Closing Hymn Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates UMH 213
Commissioning & Benediction Rev. Warren Lunsford
Depart to Serve, caring for others, as we truly serve God
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ADVENT Wreath Choruses. to the tune of Away in a Manger
Advent 1
A Candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December’s dark night.
While angels sing blessing from heaven’s starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
Advent 2
A Candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease;
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
Advent 3
A candle is burning, a candle of joy.
A candle to welcome brave Mary’s new boy,
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
Advent 4
A candle is burning, a candle of love.
A candle to point us to heaven above.
A baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth.
For Jesus is bringing God’s love to our earth.
Christmas Eve
We honor messiah with Christ Candle’s lame
Our Christmas Eve candles glad tidings proclaim
O come all you faithful, rejoice in this night,
As God comes among us, the Christian’s true light.
Note – “A Candle is Burning is by Sandra Dean, 1986.
Music is “Away In A Manger” by James Murray 1887.
