Starling Avenue Baptist Church First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2022 ╬ 11:00 a.m.
The Worship of God First Sunday of Advent November 27, 2022 ╬ 11:00 a.m. *We invite you to stand as you are able.
Gathering at God’s Invitation Call to Worship #78 Prelude
God the Son: Incarnate One
Dr. Joe Bryant
(Responsive Reading)
IMPROMPTU
Franz Schubert/ Condensed Op. 142, No2
Welcome
Dr. Joe Bryant
Life of the Community
Dwight Stultz
Lighting of the Advent Candle: Hope Lighting of the Hope Candle: Jeff & Frances Stegall We shall light the Advent candles praying that our preparation for Christmas may help us to look outward in love and look forward in hope. Living Christ, light of the world, give us the warmth of your love. Candlelight brings us together as we talk and laugh and listen. Living Christ, light of the world, give us the warmth of your love. Living God, come to our world. When you hide your face, help us to trust your promises and wait in hope. Featured Chrismon: Son of Righteousness
Dwight Stultz
This Chrismon, a representation of the sun, reminds us that like the sun, Christ, the Son of God, is the source of light and life to those who believe in Him. “Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ “John 8:12
*Hymn #81
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Trad. French Carol; Harmony, The English Hymnal, 1906
The Church at Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer
Dwight Stultz
Remembering in Prayer: Pat Smith, Gloria Roop & husband Terry (friends of Nancy Snyder), Lauren Werner (Linda Pulliam’s granddaughter), Gloria Weaver, Lowell Roberts, Dana Sharon, Tony & Debbie Craddock, J. G. McMillan, Robert Sherwood, Susanne Travis, Pete Mabry, Lois Johnson, Jeanette Draper, Linda Harris, Christy Mattox & Regina Carter; Our Country; All Those Affected by War & Violence; Our Homebound Members 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.
*Hymn #97
The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns
Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, Part Second, 1813; Harmony, Donald Murphy, 2008
Giving our Tithes and Offerings Offertory Prayer Offertory
Reed Finley Take My Gifts and Let Me Love You
A. L. Butler, 1971
*Doxology (Hymn #706) Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly host, praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Anthem
Arise, Your Light Is Come
William H. Walter, 1872
(Choir accompanied by Fern Kanode)
Hearing God’s Word New Testament Reading
Matthew 24:37-44 NIV
Dr. Joe Bryant
For the Word of God in Scripture, for the Word of God among us, for the Word of God within us. Thanks be to God.
Sermon
“Watch and be Ready”
Dr. Joe Bryant
Responding to God’s Word *Hymn #641
Higher Ground
Charles H. Gabriel, 1892
If you sense God calling you today, we invite you to respond during this time of invitation. If God is calling you to follow Jesus for the first time, to rededicate yourself as a Christ-follower, or as a faithful Christian, to join the fellowship of our church, we encourage you to come forward to speak to our pastor during this closing hymn.
Sending Into God’s World Benediction
Matthew 24:36 NIV
Dr. Joe Bryant
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Postlude
Be Thou My Vision
Trad. Irish melody/ Harmony, David Allen, 1986