Pine Street Presbyterian Church
in the City of Harrisburg
Pine Street is a Welcoming Church, Glorifying God through Worship, Fellowship and Service in the World.
December 7, 2025
PRAYER OF PREPARATION
Second Sunday of Advent
God of the barren places, whose Spirit rouses stagnant hearts to life, come baptize us in fire that clears away the detritus of despair and apathy. Set our spirits ablaze with impossible dreams of oppressors giving up their power for peace and children at play where war once reigned, that, in dreaming, we might come to believe a better world is possible and begin to ready the way for your incoming kingdom. Amen.
G ATHERING IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
RINGING OF THE CARILLON
SALUTATION
One: A voice cries out in the wilderness: Many: Prepare the way of the Lord!
VOLUNTARY O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arr. by Mark Hayes
(Please use the opening voluntary as a time of silent meditation and preparation for worship.)
†
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: Hear the words that bring peace from the prophet Isaiah: Many: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”
One: We hear Mary proclaiming her message of peace.
† Those able are invited to stand Bold text is read or sung by all
One: We hear Mary proclaiming her message of peace.
Many: "Our Creator has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.”
One: So let us glorify the Lord in worship.
Many: In the depths of who I am, I rejoice in God my savior.
† HYMN 163 Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice ABERYSTWYTH
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING Sally and Scott Miller
One: We light the first candle of Hope, as witness to God’s faithful nearness and promise-fulfilling love.
Many: Where fear narrows our vision, let this light widen our sight.
One: We light the candle of Peace:
Many: peace that cannot be seen by eyes or felt by human hands.
One: But peace that lives within us that is the promise of a liberation birthing, truth-telling God in flesh.
Many: For the Mighty One has lifted us up, beyond our human state, above and beyond our foes, and for all generations to call us blessed.
† PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of all creation, your vision of peace is beyond our knowing. We have been hurt, and we have seen destruction, so we turn around and hurt others, destroying what you have called good. Forgive us, and fill us with your knowledge, so that we may help bring forth your peace which surpasses understanding.
† SILENCE FOR PERSONAL CONFESSION
KYRIE † ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: Christ comes into our world Christ comes into our lives to purify us and give us another chance. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Many: We rejoice in the hope Christ offers us. Thanks be to God!
†
† GLORIA
READING AND HEARING THE WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 11:1-10 Old Testament Page 640
One: The Word of the Lord. Many: Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Hail to the Lord’s Anointed (Psalm 72) arr. by Robert Powell Hail to the Lord's Anointed, great David's greater Son! Hail in the time appointed, his reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free; to take away transgression, and rule in equity. He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong; to help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong; to give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light, whose souls, condemned and dying, are precious in his sight. O'er every foe victorious, He on his throne shall rest, From age to age more glorious, All blessing, and all blest. The tide of time shall never, his covenant remove. His name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.
SECOND LESSON Romans 15:4-13 New Testament Page 163
THIRD LESSON Matthew 3:1-12 New Testament Page 2
SERMON “Where’s the Fruit of Repentance?” The Rev. Dr. Scott Miller
† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
The Apostle’s Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
† THE PEACE
One: The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Many: And also with you.
WELCOME AND PARISH LIFE
(Please sign the Friendship Register)
THE OFFERING OF TITHES AND GIFTS TO GOD
ANTHEM Comfort Ye, My People and Every Valley Shall be Exalted G. F. Handel Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.
† PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; praise triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
† PRAYER OF DEDICATION
SEALINGTHE WORD
SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
One: The Lord be with you. Many: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts. Many: We lift them to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Many: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
… of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
The prayer continues.
… as we share this joyful feast:
I
NTERCESSION
, SUPPLICATION, AND CONSECRATION
One: In your mercy, Many: Lord, hear our prayer.
… now and forever.
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.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD AND CUP
One: The gifts of God for the people of God. Many: Let us keep the feast.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD OF GOD INTO THE WORLD
† HYMN 96 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry WINCHESTER NEW
BENEDICTION
† CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE God, Be the Love R. B. Colligan VOLUNTARY Variations on “Veni Emmanuel” David Lasky
With Resolve
L EADING IN W ORSHIP T ODAY
The Rev. Stuart Seelman, Pastor
Joseph Garrison, Minister of Music and Worship
The Rev. Dr. Scott Miller, Guest Preacher
Benajmin Coles, Lector
F LOWER D EDICATION
Amy Chick, Liturgist
Benjamin Coles, Acolyte
The Chancel Choir
Timothy Lupia, tenor
The flowers in the sanctuary are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of the December birthdays of her parents, Esther and Russell Gelwick, by Barbara Neff.
DATES FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Sunday,December7
9:00 am- Café Conversations
8:30 am- Advent Breakfast
9:00 am- Faith Formation
9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up
10:00 am- Worship
11:30 am- Stephen Ministry Supervision
Sunday,December14
9:00 am- Café Conversations
9:00 am- Faith Formation
9:00 am- Chancel Choir Warm-up
10:00 am- Worship
11:30 am- Deacon Meeting
4:00 pm- A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
C OPYRIGHT N OTICE
Music in the bulletin is used with permission under OneLicense.net # A-743343. All rights reserved. Liturgy was reprinted and adapted with permission from Westminster John Knox Press from Feasting on the Word® Worship Companion copyright 2013, and from the Book of Common Worship, © 2018 Westminster John Knox Press. All rights reserved.
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