John Calvin Presbyterian Church

SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY

First Sunday of Advent

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)

November 29, 2020 

   Ten Thirty in the morning

Minister: The Reverend Aaron Ochart                            

Liturgist: Joe Miller

Please silence all cell phones. 

Bold face indicates congregational participation.

 

GATHERING

WORDS OF WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP (Lighting the Advent Candles)

One: Sometimes we pray, facing an unknown fate.

Many: Sometimes we pray, facing an uncertain world.

One: Although he would soon be thrown to the lions, Daniel trusted in God.

Many: We hold that hope.

One: When life takes us to the dangerous edge, we face our own lions.

Many: We stay awake through the night, trying to tame depression, debt, job loss, addiction, broken relationships.

One: We draw our hope from God.

Many: And at dawn, the light comes again.

(Light the first candle.)

One: “God is rescuer and savior; God performs signs and miracles in heaven and on earth.” (Daniel 6:27a, CEB)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of deliverance,

INVITATION TO CELEBRATE A GOOD ADVENT

One: Advent means waiting. As God’s people waited for deliverance, as they waited through exiles and occupations for the coming of David’s Son; so we wait for Christ to come afresh in our lives, and God’s Kingdom to be revealed. 

HYMN 2               “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”            HYFRYDOL     

 

PROCLAMATION

THE SANCTUARY EVERGREENS/ WREATHS

One: How Shall we make this place a reminder of our need for repentance, and that faithfulness and integrity comes from God our maker and redeemer?

READING: Hosea 14:8-9

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?

   It is I who answer and look after you.

I am like an evergreen cypress;

   your faithfulness comes from me.

Those who are wise understand these things;

   those who are discerning know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right,

   and the upright walk in them,

THE CHRISTMAS TREE

One: God, the Holy one of Israel, is a God of comfort and compassion. With the Christmas tree we remember God’s everlasting promises to the poor and needy. Isaiah spoke of God’s making of the wilderness a place of blessing where water and plants, even pine trees, would manifest God’s loving action to save and provide. 

READING: Isaiah 41:17-20

When the poor and needy seek water,

   and there is none,

I the Lord will answer them,

   I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

I will open rivers on the bare heights,

   and fountains in the midst of the valleys;

I will make the wilderness a pool of water,

   and the dry land springs of water.

I will put in the wilderness the cedar,

   the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;

I will set in the desert the cypress,

   the plane and the pine together,

so that all may see and know,

   all may consider and understand,

that the hand of the Lord has done this,

HANGING CHRISMONS AND OTHER SYMBOLS OF FAITH

One: Here in this place we prepare for the coming of the Lord. Here we will remember his Advent, his birth in Bethlehem, weak and helpless as an infant. And here we rekindle our prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus” as we await his coming as the bright and morning star. 

READING: Revelation 22:12-21

‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.

‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’

The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’

And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’

And let everyone who is thirsty come.

Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift…

The one who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

ANTHEM             “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”         Arr. Lloyd Larson   

   

EXPLANATION OF OTHER SYMBOLS

 

RESPONSE 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                                        Scotts’ Confession

We confess and acknowledge one God alone, to whom alone we must cleave, whom alone we must serve, whom alone we must worship, and in whom alone we must put our trust; who is eternal, infinite, immeasurable, incomprehensible, omnipotent, invisible; one in substance and yet distinct in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; by whom we confess and believe all things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible to have been created, to be retained in their being, and to be ruled and guided by his inscrutable providence for such end as his eternal wisdom, goodness, and justice have appointed, and to the manifestation of his own glory.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 

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 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

Hymn 9                “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”        VENI EMMANUEL

PARTING PRAYER    Prayer of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel. Amen.

CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE             Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn           BWV 601