12 03 23 First Sunday In Advent
Welcome
Remembering Whose We Are
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Opening Prayer
Confessing Of Sin
Leader: Let us confess our sins to God our Father.
All: I, a poor sinner, plead guilty before You of all sins. I have lived as if You did not matter and as if I mattered most. Your name I have not honored as I should; my worship and prayers have faltered. I have not let Your love have its way with me, and so my love for others has failed. There are those whom I have hurt, and those whom I have failed to help. My thoughts and desires have been soiled with sin. I am sorry for all of this and ask for grace. I want to do better.
Absolution
Songs
“Way Maker”
“What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
First Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 64:1-9 (Pew Bible pg.1068)
Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! [2] As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! [3] For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. [4] Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. [5] You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. But when we continued to sin against them, you were angry. How then can we be saved? [6] All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. [7] No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins. [8] Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. [9] Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Oh, look on us, we pray, for we are all your people.
Sermon Scripture Reading
Mark 13:24-37 (Pew Bible pg.1448)
[24] “But in those days, following that distress, “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; [25] the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ [26] “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. [27] And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. [28] “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. [29] Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. [30] Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. [31] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. [32] “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. [34] It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. [35] “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. [36] If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. [37] What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”
Children’s Message
Little Worship
Children 4 years of age through 4th grade are invited to follow the cross in the center aisle to Little Worship. Parents are welcome to accompany their children. Children will return after the Sermon Teaching. If your child is attending Little Worship for the first time, please walk out to the lobby with your child and the Little Worship Leader will be there to greet you.
Sermon Teaching
Eager Anticipation
Tithes and Offering
Song: “Ancient Words”
In Whom Do We Believe? The Apostles’ Creed
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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers Of The Day
The Lord’s Prayer
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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Celebrating The Lord’s Supper
“Your Grace Is Enough”
“Be Unto Your Name”
Blessing
Sending Song
“Glory To God Forever”
