First Sunday of Advent, November 28, 2021 11:00 am
PRELUDE: People, Look East (BENSANÇON)— arr. Lloyd Larson
UNISON CALL TO RETURN TO OUR SOULS
The night is far spent. The day draws near. The Light of the World is coming,Illuminating our darkness, Shining into places that have long been completely unlit! Each of us now has an opportunity to become light. We wait between darkness and light! A holy space! Advent is here! A holy time! Advent has begun!
HYMN: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus GTG#82
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND COMMITMENT
Sometimes, we are learning That we have to hold hands, Light one candle. And walk forward into the darkness, Even when we don’t know what the next step will bring. Walking by faith is not easy, And we are sometimes frightened, discouraged or just plain tired. But faith will take us places where we never thought we could go. No one knows just what we are becoming, But we know one thing for sure! There is no turning back for people Who are following the one whom we name Light of the World! –adapted from a reflection by Rev. William Barber
SUNG RESPONSE: While We Are Waiting, Come GTG#92
BIBLE READINGS: Jeremiah 33: 14-16 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
SUNG RESPONSE TO BIBLE READINGS (Chant)
Be Still and Know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
MESSAGE: Light One Candle
HYMN: Arise, Your Light Has Come GTG#744
WELCOMING
CHORAL ANTHEM: Emmanuel!—Carl J. Nygard, Jr.
PRAYER: Matthew 25 Prayer, Lord’s Prayer,
SUNG RESPONSE: He Came Down GTG#137
OFFERTORY SOLO: Bereite dich, Zion (Prepare Thyself, Zion)-J.S. Bach; Emma WitbolsFeugen, mezzo soprano
Prepare thyself, Zion, with tender affection, The purest, the fairest, this day to receive.
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
May the sounds of Advent stir a longing in your people, O God. Come again to set us free from the dullness of routine and the poverty of our imaginations. Break the patterns which bind us to small commitments and to the stale answers we give to questions of no importance. Let the Advent trumpet blow,let the walls of our defenses crumble, and make a place in our livesfor the freshness of your love, well-lived in the Spirit, and still given to all who know their need and dare receive it. Amen.
Howard Thurman, The Mood of Christmas
HYMN: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (stanzas 1-4) GTG#88
BLESSING
SUNG BENEDICTION RESPONSE: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (stanza 6) GTG#88
POSTLUDE: Comfort, Comfort Ye, My People (Genevan Psalter, 1551)—arr. Ron Mallory
Coming soon! EEK! The Musical, featuring our singers and some of the congregation’s young people! Sunday, December 12, during the service.
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