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Bulletin
Hymns (PDFs linked for viewing)
- “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” – GTG 87
- “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” – GTG 347
- “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” – GTG 88
ORDER FOR WORSHIP
PRELUDE Ta Wei Tsai
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas
CALL TO WORSHIP Faye Hill
Wilderness living calls us to seek God
in the voice that cries out,
“Valleys will be lifted up
and mountains will be made low,”
to seek God
in the sound of the one who speaks of peace,
“The day of the Lord is coming,”
to seek God in the loud noise
that foretells what will be made new.
In the wilderness,
let us listen only for God’s voice. Let us worship God!
INVITATION TO GODLY PLAY & ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING
*HYMN OF PRAISE “Comfort, Comfort Now My People” – GTG 87
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
“Prepare the way of the Lord,” your prophet says to us.
Forgive us when we have failed to prepare your way.
Forgive us when we have stood in your way, instead:
when we let the challenging words of your prophets roll off of lives,
rather than let them spark change;
when we walk around a neighbor in need,
rather than encounter a chance for compassion.
Forgive us, O Lord, and grant us assurance
that the glory of your coming does not depend
upon the righteousness of your followers.
Forgive us, O Lord, and free us to try again.
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 40:1-11 pg. 667
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CHORAL ANTHEM How Great Our Joy!
By Craig Courtney, based on a traditional German Carol
SJPC Choir
SERMON READING Mark 1:1-8 pg. 34
SERMON “Let Us Be Light – The Prophets” Rev. Dr. Seth Thomas
*HYMN OF RESPONSE “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” – GTG 347
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP
JOYS & CONCERNS
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.
INVITATION TO THE OFFERING
OFFERTORY Carol of the Bells
By Mykola Leontovych, arranged for piano by Rousseau
Ta Wei Tsai, 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
*SINGING WELCOME AS CHILDREN RETURN TO SANCTUARY
Welcome, children, welcome, we are glad you’re here.
Welcome, children, welcome. Now to God draw near.
*HYMN OF COMMITMENT “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” – GTG 88
WE GO INTO THE WORLD AS GOD’S AMBASSADORS
*BLESSING & CHARGE
POSTLUDE
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