Service Livestream Archive (YouTube):
https://www.youtube.com/@saintjamespres/streams

Bulletin and Hymns (PDFs linked for viewing)

                                            ORDER FOR WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS                       Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                        Jenny Sue LeSchander
Family of faith, God is at work!
God is healing and creating,
redeeming and dreaming,
calling and sending,
listening and loving.
Yes, indeed, God is at work!
So may we worship our God who never gives up.
May we worship our God who holds onto hope.
Amen.

ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING                 Teske & Book Families
In a world full of fear, where do you see
glimmers of peace?
We see glimmers of peace in the quiet
of early morning, when people shake
hands, when loved ones say they’re sorry,
and when the church sings together.
You are right. Even in a fearful world,
peace is all around us.

Today we light the candle of peace as a
reminder of this good news. May this
flicker of light help us remember that
even in a fearful world, peace is present.
We only have to look for it.

Light candle.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

GODLY PLAY                                                                                          Tracy Caruso

*HYMN OF PRAISE                       “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” – GTG 286

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
On-the-move God,
we have every reason to hold onto hope.
We have every reason to believe that spring will come,
that flowers will bloom, that the sun will rise.
And yet, too often hope slips through our fingers.
With anxious hearts we cry out to you,
“Will change ever come? Will things ever get better?
Will I ever make a difference?”
Soothe our wandering hearts and show us the places where the sun is shining.
Show us the places where you are on the move.
With open hearts we pray,
amen.

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S GRACE

*THE PEACE
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.


                                         WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE READING                         Isaiah 43:19-21  pgs. 672-673
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.      

CHORAL ANTHEM                                                              “Waiting for a King”
                                                                            J. Paul Williams & Joseph M. Martin
                                                                                                   St. James Chancel Choir
                                                                                                      Jim Gresham, clarinet

SERMON READING                                                           Matthew 11:1-11 pg. 11

SERMON                               “God Is At Work”                 Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas

*HYMN OF RESPONSE            “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” – GTG 700

           WE RESPOND TO GOD’S INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP

JOYS & CONCERNS

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING

OFFERTORY                                                 “A Light of Hope, a Song of Peace”
                                                                                                                    Mark Burrows
                                                               Jessica Parks & Holly Hagshenas, sopranos
                                                                  Jenny Sue LeSchander & Pam Pries, altos
                                                                                                            Leah Bruno, piano

*DOXOLOGY                            “For the Life That You Have Given” – GTG 717
For the life that you have given, for the love in Christ made known,
With these fruits of time and labor, with these gifts that are your own;
Here we offer, Lord, our praises; heart and mind and strength we bring;
Give us grace to love and serve you, Living what we pray and sing.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
God be with you.
And also with you.
Let us open our hearts.
We open them to our God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is right to lift up thanks and praise.

THE INVITATION & WORDS OF INSTITUTION

WELCOME TO THE TABLE
“The body of Christ, given for you.” Amen.
“The blood of Christ, shed for you.” Amen.

COMMUNION PRAYER & PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

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 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.

*HYMN OF COMMITMENT                “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” – GTG 82

           WE GO INTO THE WORLD AS GOD’S AMBASSADORS

*BLESSING & CHARGE

POSTLUDE

#

A video of the live service stream will be available by 10:30 am Sunday morning. You can click on the video to stream the service. Check back and refresh your page to receive new content.

Zoom Stream Info:

  • Dial by your location
    +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
    +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
    +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
    +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
    Meeting ID: 883 3538 7843
    Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/knseFhBBP

Facebook

For additional tools and the ability to comment and interact, please go over to the stream on Facebook Live via http://www.facebook.com/saintjamespres

Service Archive

Each week’s video will be saved and found for replay at http://www.saintjamespres.org/sermons

Helpful Links During the Service: