On Guard

Today’s guest speaker is Rev. Mason
 
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                                                                                    
CALL TO WORSHIP    
Leader: The Lord is holy and awesome and full of power!
People: He sent his Son to earth to redeem mankind.
Leader: Jesus came and lived among us, dying that we might live.
People: He returned to heaven, promising to return again one day.
Leader: He will come in righteousness and holiness, bringing peace to 
              all mankind.
People: The Spirit of God lives with us now, moving and breathing 
              life into our souls.
Leader: We wait expectantly for our King, our Ruler, our Savior.
People: He is coming. This we believe.

INVOCATION                                                                Rev. Mason                       
HYMN                                  O Come, O Come Emmanuel                                 169

Call to Confession
Let us confess our sins before a loving God: 


PRAYER OF  CONFESSION                                       (UNISON)
Forgive our impatience, Lord God. Forgive our tendency to take things into our own hands, and to look for swift, simple solutions to all our problems. Instead, teach us your slower, subtler, more sensitive approach, taking time, adding love to intelligence, and trusting you, especially in this Advent when we remember how unpredictably but how triumphantly you acted to set things straight. Give us patience, help us trust. Amen. 

Assurance of Pardon
 Friends, this is Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.
 *Time of silent prayer.
*Passing the Peace
L: The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 
P: And also, with you. 
    
*Response – Gloria Patri  
Childrens Moment
Anthem                                                                                                           Choir
 
                    The Word of God

Prayer for Illumination
Scripture reading                                                                             LUKE 21: 25-36

25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

29 He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32 “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
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34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”

L: The Word of the Lord
 P: Thanks be to God ! 

Sermon                       “ON GUARD”   
       
                Responding to the Word

HYMN                             Of the Father’s Love Begotten                                   172
*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        Jim Gregg, Connor Diesel, Susan Paul, Marilyn Hickman, Kathy Bell
                      
ANNIVERSARIES      None

JOYS AND CONCERNS -  
Donna West’s daughter Susan West has tested positive for COVID-19.    
Ed and Carol Horne have both tested positive for COVID-19, they have received antibody shots and are in isolation.   

SYMPATHY        To the Family of Abby Rhoades
            
Continued prayers for Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Chuck Dicks, Ed Horne, 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, Michael Garber, Eileen Miller, Billie Tamulinas, Rob Lgsdon, and Laura Davis.   

Prayers of the People                                                              Rev. Mason
The Lord’s Prayer

HYMN                                 Fairest Lord Jesus                                                   240                                             

Benediction 
Be alert! Stay on your guard! Despite the headlines of our daily news, the presence of Jesus Christ in the world is evident, if we will only look and listen to the signs of his coming. Go into your world this week to deliver the good news that Christ is with us! Amen.

Postlude                                                                                                             Choir

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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. 
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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:   Please use the blue envelopes in the pews for your Thank Offering contributions.  This is the last Sunday for the Thank Offering envelopes; thanks for your support in helping the Women’s Missionary support the needs of our community and world.          

The choir will be practicing at 10:00 each Sunday morning if you would like to join them please come - sing praises to our Lord!   

Also remember to bring your bottle tabs as Carol and Ed Horne will be taking them to the Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Hospital right before Christmas.  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.