Morning Service

the second sunday of advent

SUNDAY DECEMBER 6, 2020

*congregation standing as able

PRELUDE
Nathan Skinner, organ

INTROIT
Sleepers, Wake!
Words: Philipp Nicolai (1556–1608)
Music: F. Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Sleepers, Wake! a voice is calling,
It is the watchman on the walls:
Thou City of Jerusalem!
For lo! the Bridegroom comes!
Arise and take your lamps! Halleluiah!
Awake! His kingdom is at hand!
Go forth, to meet your Lord!

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Richard Ibekwe & Megan Koopman

* CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 120
Linda Herman, Elder

Leader: When I was in trouble I called upon the LORD, and he answered me.
People: Deliver us, O LORD.
Leader: My soul has long dwelt among those who are enemies of peace. I labor for peace, but when I speak to them of it, they make themselves ready for battle
People: Deliver us, O LORD. Send us the Prince of Peace.

* HYMN Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding

* INVOCATION, CONFESSION, & 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 coming day’s bread;
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors;
And lead us not into trial, but deliver us from the Evil One.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

* PEACE

LIFE OF THE CHURCH
See Announcements

Financial Update
Mike Ahearn, Church Administrator

ANTHEM
This Is the Record of John
Words: John 1:19–23
Music: Grayston Ives (b. 1948)

This is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and
Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And he
confessed and denied not, and said plainly, I am not the
Christ.

And they asked him, What art thou then? Art thou Elias?
And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he
answered, No.

Then said they unto him, What art thou? that we may give
an answer unto them that sent us. What sayest thou of
thyself? And he said, I am the voice of him that crieth in
the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord.

OLD TESTAMENT READING
Dan Verrengia
Isaiah 43:8–21

Leader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

* HYMN Blessed Be the God of Israel

NEW TESTAMENT READING
Michael Balboni, Assistant Minister
John 1:1–8

Leader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

GLORIA PATRI (Hymn No. 734)
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

SERMON
“The Witness”
Mark Booker, Senior Minister

* HYMN On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Michael Balboni
Submit a Prayer Request

OFFERTORY
Give Online

O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion
Words: Isaiah 40:9; 60:1
Music: G. F. Handel (1685–1759)

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion,
get thee up into the high mountain;
O thou that tellest good tidings to
Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength;
lift it up, be not afraid;
say unto the cities of Judah:
Behold your God! Arise, shine,
for thy light is come,
and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

* HYMN Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

* BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE
Nathan Skinner, organ