Service for the Lord's Day

ORDER OF WORSHIP



Gathering and Centering Ourselves for Worship

Welcome & Announcements



Prelude

Go, Tell It on the Mountain - arr. Aaron David Miller

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Hope



Jerry & Linda Thornburgh, Paul Fast & Erin Thornburgh,

Evan Kozlowski, & Rosa Thornburgh-Fast

Hymn

Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

ABERYSTWYTH

The Prayer of Confession

in unison

God of today and God of tomorrow, you say, “Bring your full self. There’s room for you here.” But we say, “Our lives are too messy.” You say, “Bring your hopes and your dreams. There’s room for you here.” But we say, “It’s too risky to hope.” You say, “Bring your grief and your prayers. There’s room for you here.” But we say, “Some things are easier to forget.” God of today and God of tomorrow, we know in our hearts that there’s room for us here. Forgive us for withholding our full selves from you. Forgive us for giving only our Sunday best. Help us remember, today and tomorrow, there’s room for every story. Amen.

The Assurance of Forgiveness



One:

Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel.

Many:

In Christ we are all forgiven.

Confession Response

Canticle of the Turning

STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN

Affirmation of Community | Passing of the Peace

Minute for Mission

Ruth Ann Unruh

Proclaiming the Word

Prayer for Illumination

A Reading from the Epistles

Romans 13:11-14

The Word of the Lord - Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Advent Carol - Dale Wood

"Drop down dew, O gracious heaven! Let the clouds rain down the Just! Let the earth bud forth the Savior! In thy promise, Lord, we trust." Thus the patriarchs were crying, when the earth in bondage sighing sought in vain for heaven's gate, closed by sin and Satan's hate. God the Father in his mercy planned to save our fallen race, what burden of our sinning God the Son deigned to embrace. God the Spirit gave his token through the virgin who had spoken: "Lo, thy handmaid, Lord has heard, work in me thy wondrous word." Then the Son took man's frail nature, was made flesh and dwelled on earth. Life and Light with grace abundant He bestowed of priceless worth. Earth, rejoice, exult with gladness, a new Sun dispels our sadness, let us then our voices raise, let us sing our Savior's praise.

A Time for All God's Children

A Reading from the Old Testament

Isaiah 2:1-5

The Word of the Lord - Thanks be to God.

Sermon

An Invitation

Rev. Karen A. Wright

Hymn

Go, Tell It on the Mountain

GO TELL IT

Our Response to the Word

Affirmation of Faith

in unison

We believe in a God who promised to Abraham, who wrestled with Jacob, who walked with Ruth, who spoke with Moses, who grieved with Bathsheba, who danced with David, who dreamed with Joseph, and who hoped like Mary. We believe in a God who has been loving, inviting, transforming, and challenging us from generation to generation. And we believe that same God is here with us now, saying, “Come on in; there’s room for you here.” Amen.

The Invitation to Discipleship and Life in the Church

The Church at Prayer

The Lord be with you. And also with you.



The Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer

(in unison)



Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Presentation & Dedication of Our Gifts

Offertory

Savior of the Nations Come - arr. Paul Manz

Offertory Response

As with Gladness Men of Old

DIX

The Prayer of Thanksgiving

(in unison)



O Mighty One, you have done and are doing great things for us, and holy is your name. Bless all we offer you—ourselves, our time, and our possessions— that through us your grace and favor may be made known to all the world, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

Going Forth into the World to Live the Gospel

Hymn

We Are Marching in the Light of God

SIYAHAMBA

Benediction & Response

Prepare the Way

PREPARE THE WAY

Postlude

Postlude on "Stuttgart" - Raymond H. Haan

The flowers for today’s worship service are given by Jerri Roubinek to the Glory of God in honor of the unsung heroes who have worked tirelessly to ensure that Journey happens this year.

Becky Newkirk, liturgist

Chark Lyon & David Potter, audio/visual

SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFF



Rev. Karen Wright, Associate Pastor

Joshua G. Hearn, Director of Music Ministry

Denise Dillon-Gruber, Office Manager

Portions of today's service are by Rev. Sarah Are Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org

Prepare the Way of the Lord | Text & Tune: Taizé Community/Jacques Berthier, © 1984 GIA Publications. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.

The Canticle of the Turning | Text: Rory Cooney, © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.

We Are Marching in the Light of God | Text: trans. Gracia Grindal; Tune: arr. Freedom Is Coming, © 1984 Walton Music Corp. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-726989. All rights reserved.