ORDER OF WORSHIP
DECEMBER 1, 2024 10:30 AM
FIRST DAY OF ADVENT
COMMUNION SUNDAY
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 25)
Leader: To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
PEOPLE: my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame.
Leader: Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
PEOPLE: Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation.
Leader: Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
PEOPLE: Good and upright is the LORD; therefore, he instructs sinners in the way.
Leader: He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.
PEOPLE: All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
INVOCATION
Lord of righteousness and justice, in whose sight a thousand years are as one day, we come today to offer our worship and our desire to comprehend the truth of forgiveness and the path of redemption. Help us along the way to better understand your true power and love. In the name of our Savior, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel“ Red # 133
CALL TO CONFESSION
Our tongues can speak against our sisters and brothers. Our actions can disobey the commandments. Suspicion and envy betray us to our thoughts. Bring us together as we seek to understand the true righteousness of our Lord’s love.
PRAYER OF UNDERSTANDING
O God of all wisdom, help us to open our eyes to the truth of your reconciling presence. Show us the pathways to Peace with our sisters and brothers, especially to those who pray to a different God. Show us how to use and not abuse your mercy as we meet the challenges of today’s world. In Christ, hear our prayer. Amen
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Fellow travelers in faith, believe the Good News of the Gospels and know that our Lord loves us as children even as we are understood and forgiven. Amen
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Today we celebrate the baptism of Wyatt Otto Schade, born October 26, 2024, son of Charlene and Cory Schade. (See insert)
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- APOSTLES CREED (Traditional)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Red # 135
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the ways of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Jeremiah 33: 14-16 Cathy McCarty
EPISTLE READING: 1 Thessalonians 3: 9-12
GOSPEL READING: Luke 21: 25-33
SERMON MESSAGE: My Words Will Not Pass Away John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & LORDS PRAYER
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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.
COMMUNION HYMN “There’s a Quiet Understanding” Red #788
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Concluding Prayer
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
TITHES AND OFFERINGS
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “Savior of the Nations, Come”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “Let There Be Peace on Earth” Follow the video
POSTLUDE “My Soul Gives Glory to My God” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Candles in Our Worship Service A bit of History: The seven-light candelabra are symbolic of the seven days of the week, meaning we ‘worship’ God every day, not just on Sunday. The two altar candles symbolize that Jesus is both God and Man, and the Christ candle is symbolic of Christ being the Light of the World.
The Christ candle is lit first and extinguished last. The ushers leave its light with the other candles during worship, and when extinguished after worship, the ushers carry the light out into the world.
The reason the Christ candle is larger and placed by the pulpit, is that in the past, it also provided light for reading!
Blessings! JTR
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John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
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