SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
December 5, 2021 Second Sunday of Advent
Ten Thirty in the morning
Minister: The Reverend Aaron Ochart
Liturgist: Suzanne Wooderson
Bold face indicates congregational participation
indicates to stand in body or in spirit
GATHERING
WORDS OF WELCOME
PRELUDE From Heaven to Earth I Come – Pachelbel
ADORATION
CALL TO WORSHIP (Lighting the Advent Candles)
Candle Lighter: What is this season about?
Children and youth: Why do I have so many things?
Choir, Minister and Lay Leader: Where did it all come from?
All: And I don’t know where to put it all.
Light the candle
(Video) Matthew 6:19-21 “Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Candle Lighter: I have so much more than things.
Congregation: I have talents and time to share with everyone.
All: We can give so much more while spending less.
Let us pray: Prince of peace, we fill our lives with anxiety so that we are always in battle. Come among us today, remind us of what is necessary, and give us grateful hearts. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
SILENT CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)
Merciful God, in your gracious presence we confess our sin and the sin of this world. Although Christ is among us as our peace, we are a people divided against ourselves as we cling to the values of a broken world. The profit and pleasures we pursue lay waste the land and pollute the seas. The fears and jealousies that we harbor set neighbor against neighbor and nation against nation. We abuse your good gifts of imagination and freedom, of intellect and reason, and have turned them into bonds of oppression. Lord, have mercy upon us; heal and forgive us. Set us free to serve you in the world as agents of your reconciling love in Jesus Christ.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be
world without end, amen, amen.
HYMN “My Soul Cries Out With a Joyful Shout”
- My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east and west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain: My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
- Though I am small, my God my all, you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)
- From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread; every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn. (Refrain)
- Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy will deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around. (Refrain)
PROCLAMATION
FIRST READING (p. 105) John 11:17-27
THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE:
ANTHEM Little Drop of Heaven- Pepper Choplin
Let a little drop of heaven fall to earth. Bring peace to this world.
Let a little drop of heaven come to earth. Bring peace, sweet peace.
Let a little drop of heaven come to earth. Bring peace to this world.
Let peace come, Your will be done, let it be done on this earth as it is in heaven.
Let peace come, Your will be done. Let it be done.
Let Your peace come down from heaven to this world. We pray for peace.
Let a little drop of heaven fall to earth. Bring love, true love.
Let a little drop of heaven come to earth. Bring love to this world. Bring peace to this world.
Let love come, Your will be done, let it be done on this earth as it is in heaven.
Let your love come down from heaven to this world. We pray for love.
Let a little drop of heaven come to earth. Bring joy, sweet joy.
Let a little drop of heaven come to earth. Bring joy to this world.
Let a little drop of heaven come down. Bring peace, love and joy to this world.
SECOND READING (p. 806) Ezekiel 37:1-14
SERMON: “Deez Bones” the Rev. Aaron Ochart
RESPONSE
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Scots’ 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.
RECEIVING OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY “Sing of Mary, Pure and Holy” Arr. Matthew Armstrong
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
The Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise…
…Therefore with all creation we sing your praise:
According to Christ’s commandment:
We remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming glory…
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
HYMN 260 “A Mighty Fortress is our God”
1 A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
2 Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he.
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.
3 And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure. One little word shall fell him.
4 That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also.
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.
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