Marshall Presbyterian Church
November 28, 2021, 1st Sunday of Advent
CHORAL INTROIT Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
One: Today we celebrate the beginning of Advent. We wait for the coming of Jesus.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
One: We begin with a circle to remind us of God’s unending love and presence.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
One: We bring evergreens to remind us that the hope we find in Jesus is eternal.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
One: We gather four candles to mark the four weeks of joy and anticipation as we wait for the babe in the manger and the coming of Christ again.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
One: The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
* CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Stand up and raise your heads!
All: Our redemption is drawing near!
One: Let us lift our hearts;
All: We lift them up to the Lord! The days are surely coming when all things shall be made new.
* OPENING PRAYER
* HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
CALL TO CONFESSION (From Psalm 25:6)
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION (from The Canticle of the Turning and 1 Thessalonians 3.)
“Wipe away all tears for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.”
Holy God, could it be true? Are you about to do a new thing to make our hearts sing? Even in a weary world when so many are tired, and tired of being tired?
Forgive us for singing the same old song of cynicism.
Forgive us for keeping quiet instead of speaking truth, for standing back instead of stepping up.
Strengthen our hearts in holiness that we increase and abound in love for one another and all of your creation.
In the name of the One who is to come again we pray, amen.
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON [From The Confession of 1967 – PC(USA)]
One: “All who put their trust in Christ face divine judgment without fear, for the judge is their redeemer.” Therefore, be at peace; in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
All: Thanks be to God.
* GLORIA PATRI
* PASSING THE PEACE
SPECIAL MUSIC: Carol Ann’s Choice!
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
THE SCRIPTURES
Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-10
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Gospel: Luke 21:25-36 See bulletin
One: The Word of God for the people of God!
All: Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE Rev. Melissa Upchurch
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (from The Confession of 1967 – PC(USA)
Inclusive Language Version)
The risen Christ is the savior of all people. Those joined to him by faith are set right with God and commissioned to serve as God’s reconciling community. Christ is head of this community, the church, which began with the apostles and continues through all generations. The same Jesus Christ is the judge of all people. His judgment discloses the ultimate seriousness of life and gives promise of God’s final victory over the power of sin and death. To receive life from the risen Lord is to have life eternal; to refuse life from him is to choose the death which is separation from God. All who put their trust in Christ face divine judgment without fear, or the judge is their redeemer.
* HYMN The Days Are Surely Coming
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
SHARING THE GIFTS OF GOD
*DOXOLOGY (ca. 1500s)
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Shine your light and love upon these gifts and these givers, O God. We offer ourselves as offerings, trusting that your spirit of power can make us instruments of your healing and wholeness. Through Christ, we pray, amen.
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBER: DANALEE COOK PIPES
Presentation
Words from Scripture
Profession of Faith:
Renunciations
*Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
All: With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you to share with us in the ministry of Christ, for we are all one in him.
* HYMN Carol Ann’s Choice
*INVITATION
*CHARGE
*BENEDICTION
