Morning Service

the first sunday of advent

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2020

*congregation standing as able

PRELUDE
Nathan Skinner, organ

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Liu family

* CALL TO WORSHIP from 1 Peter 1
Margaret Sloat, Elder

Leader: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
People: According to his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!
Leader: He has promised us an inheritance  that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,  and we are being guarded by God’s power for a salvation  ready to be revealed in the last time.
People: Though we have not seen him, we love him.  Though we do not now see him, we believe in him.  We are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,  for we are receiving the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls.  Let us worship the Lord of Hope!

* HYMN No. 324 Christ is Coming

* 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
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OLD TESTAMENT READING
Linda Hemphill
Genesis 1:1–5

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

* HYMN No. 163 At the Name of Jesus

NEW TESTAMENT READING
Bill Pearson, Director of Health Science Ministries
John 1:1–5

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 Light Shines”
Mark Booker, Senior Minister

* HYMN I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
Bill Pearson
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OFFERTORY
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Aria from Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248
Words: Picander (1700–1764)
Music: J. S. Bach (1685–1750)
Lizabeth Malanga, mezzo-soprano & Amy Galuzzo, violin

Bereite dich, Zion, mit zärtlichen Trieben,
Prepare yourself, Zion, with tender efforts,

Den Schönsten, den Liebsten bald bei dir zu sehn!
to behold your lovely one, your beloved, near you soon!

Deine Wangen Müssen heut viel schöner prangen,
Your cheeks must now glow much more radiantly,

Eile, den Bräutigam sehnlichst zu lieben!
hurry, to love your Bridegroom!

* HYMN No. 198 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates!

* BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE
Nathan Skinner, organ