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Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Stephen Smith, from First Presbyterian Church in Washington. All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service. Gathering Around the Word Prelude Choir ANNOUNCEMENTS LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Clear away the unnecessary. PEOPLE: Put aside the unimportant. Leader: Lay down the unrealistic. PEOPLE: Keep your ears open for angel songs. Leader: Cut the lists in half. PEOPLE: Practice saying, “no thanks.” Leader: Look for the moments of stillness. PEOPLE: Keep your eyes looking for a star, your hands ready to give, your voice filled with song and your heart longing for joy. INVOCATION Rev. Smith HYMN Angels from the Realms of Glory 190 CALL TO CONFESSION Gracious God, we welcome you to our house, the sacred space we have built to gather together as your people. Hear now our prayers of confession: PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON) Compassionate, forgiving God, we trespass on your mercy and take your favor for granted. There are times we think only of ourselves. We forget the lessons of those who came before us, and ignore our responsibility to those who will follow us. We forget those in need and favor those who have. We do not see how we distance ourselves from you in our blindness to the staggering need all around us. We do not recognize your hunger for justice and what our part we play to bring it about in a world that so sorely needs it. Forgive, us, we pray. Give us a clear mind, and heart, merciful God to do your will. AMEN *Time of silent prayer. Assurance of Pardon The Holy One forgives and bestows favor on each of us, even and especially when we are lowly in spirit. We are blessed from generation to generation by the Mighty One, whose strength and mercy are forever. AMEN *Passing the Peace L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. P: And also, with you. *Response – Gloria Patri CHOIR ANTHEM CHILDREN’S CHAT Rev. Smith The Word of God Prayer for Illumination Scripture reading LUKE 3: 7-18 7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” L: The Word of the Lord P: Thanks be to God ! Sermon “Doing and Being the Gospel” Responding to the Word HYMN Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus 168 *Apostles Creed (found inside the back cover of the hymnal) Presentation of our tithes and offering Offertory Choir Doxology (Hymnal page 382) Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations BIRTHDAYS Nicole King, Sam Jackson, Sue Gregg, Addison Miklic, Susie Cummings, Lynn Kalich, Dan Kalich, Buc Walther, Brian Bell, Jean Westfall ANNIVERSARIES Bill and Carol Stough JOYS AND CONCERNS - Please keep the Durila Family in your prayers as they are in isolation, Susie has COVID and Debbie is suffering with a bad back. Susan West has recovered from the COVID and has the ok to return to work. SYMPATHY To the Family of Abby Rhoades To the Family of William (Billie) Tamulinas To the Family of Eileen Miller To the Family of Bob Crowe Continued prayers for Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, June and Keith McGill, Glenn Miles, Roger Riggs, Tim Knabenshue, Frank Huffman, Nellie and Frank Baker, Michael Durila Sr., Justin Hagon, Tom Westfall, Mary Ann Durila, Elaine Belcascro, Lisa Marshall, Sandy Stone, Diane Bednarski, Matt Petrola, Ray Dyson, Diana Donaldson, Rob Logsdon, Laura Davis, Nancy Hepinger, Betsy Martin, Carol and Ed Horne. Prayers of the People Rev. Smith The Lord’s Prayer HYMN Lo, How a Rose 174 Benediction May the Creator who gives birth in the heart of a servant give birth within you. May the Christ who comes to live with us walk beside you. May the Spirit who sang within Mary’s heart also sing within your own. AMEN Postlude Choir We welcome all who have come to join us in the worship of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please come again. If you are visiting with us today, please let us know that we might welcome you into our church family.
REMEMBER OUR FOOD COLLECTION: And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Mark 6:37. Please remember our food pantry is available to anyone in need. Replenish with your hands and listen for the need with your ears. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Thank you to Carol Smith for the music today! “Special Sunday School Hour for Christmas! On the Sunday before Christmas (December 19) we’ll have a special time together! We’ll gather at 10:00 in the sanctuary and we will have a Christmas Carol Hymn Sing with a reading of the Christmas Story from the Bible! A relaxed fun time for all as we prepare for morning worship and the final week of Advent. Everyone is welcome!” Missionary Meeting at 9:30 AM Tuesday, December 14th. The choir will be practicing at 7:00 PM on Thursday evening if you would like to join them please come - sing praises to our Lord! Christmas Cards and envelopes are on the table in the back; they are free or if you would like to make a donation it will go to our Women’s Missionary Group. Envelopes for 2022 are in the vestibule. There are names with new numbers. We are using boxes from this past year, so we don’t need to buy new ones. The DATES will be WRONG. If you have any questions, please ask Garnet. We are planning to do shopping for shut-ins again this year. Please give donations to Garnet or online. Thank you.
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