WELCOME TO WORSHIP
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. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Almighty and most merciful God, from you comes every good and perfect gift. We give you praise and thanks for all your mercies. Your goodness has created us, your bounty has sustained us, your discipline has chastened us, your patience has borne with us, your love has redeemed us. Give us a heart to love and serve you, and enable us to show our thankfulness for all your goodness and mercy by giving up ourselves to your service, and cheerfully submitting in all things to your blessed will; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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BAPTISM BAPTISMAL RESPONSE Do you as Christ’s body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? We do. Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include this family, now before you, in your care? We give thanks for all that God has already given you and welcome you in Christian love. With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround Kendal with a community of love and forgiveness, that she may grow in her service to others. We will pray for her, that she may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT • DECEMBER 8, 2024 • 11:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS The prelude signifies the beginning of worship. You are invited to be in a spirit of prayer and meditation. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
HYMN
Please stand as you are able
PRELUDE
Nun komm der Heiden Heiland, (from Orgelbüchlein, BWV 599) — J.S. Bach Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn, (from Orgelbüchlein, BWV 601) — J.S. Bach
GREETING INTROIT
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love! — FRÈRE JACQUES Hope, peace, joy, love, Advent’s here. Now we wait for Christmas. Advent’s here!
OPENING PRAYER Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. HYMN OF PROCESSION #218 It Came Upon the Midnight Clear — CAROL (The children sing stanza 1. Then, the congregation is invited to stand and sing stanzas 2, 3, and 4.) AFFIRMATION OF FAITH We are not alone, we live in God’s world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the church: to celebrate God’s presence, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen. AFFIRMATION RESPONSE Come, Renew Your Love for Him — GLORIA Come, renew your love for Him: Jesus Christ, who sets us free! Cast off fear and doubt and shame; live in grace eternally! Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!
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LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
HYMN
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#213 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates — TRURO
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE People Look East — BESANÇON People, look east. The time is near of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Guest, is on the way.
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POSTLUDE Improvisation on TRURO
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#191 Jesus Loves Me — JESUS LOVES ME
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED CANTICLE Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming — arr. Anna Laura Page Light of Hope, Light of Peace — Mark Patterson Light of hope, light of peace, you are just the light we need. Shine for all the world to see: Christ is coming soon. Light of hope, light of peace, promise of the love he brings. Shine for the all the world to see: Christ is coming soon. Light of hope, light of peace, gift of joy that gladly rings. Shine for the all the world to see: Christ is coming soon.
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
(Following the Canticle, children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the Sanctuary at the close of worship.)
SCRIPTURE — Isaiah 2:1-5 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. SERMON — “Peace Made Possible”
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT
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WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
OFFERTORY Angels from the Realms of Glory — Dan Forrest Angels from the realms of glory wing your flight o’er all the earth. Ye who sang creation’s story now proclaim Messiah’s birth. Come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King. Shepherds in the field abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night. God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant light. Sages, leave your contemplation, brighter visions beam afar. Seek the great Desire of Nations, ye have seen His natal star. All creation, join in praising God, the Father, Spirit, Son. Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One. DOXOLOGY #95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — OLD 100th Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING The Reverend Dr. P. Glenn Kinken III, Senior Minister LITURGIST Tammy Pollock, Director of Youth Ministries
CRUCIFER Meg Gilliam TORCHBEARERS Taylor Paris Camilla Boehnlein
MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music Ministries Joshua Sobel, Organ Scholar The Chancel Choir Sam Howell, Music Ministry Intern Children’s Creative Arts Experience Participants Jonathan Blake Borton, Piano Karen Beres, Piano
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.