United Presbyterian Church
Sunday Worship:
First Sunday of Advent – Hope
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE: PEACE
The Brownlees
Isaiah 40:1-5 NRSV
Let us pray…
God, in a world where peace seems to be so far away, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and restore peace. Renew in us the peace that only You can bring through your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to walk in the paths of peace. Amen.
MUSIC -Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley, 1744 • Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1831
Arr. Rob Krabbe, 1999
Tune: Nettleton 8787 John B. Renville, 1879
Come Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel’s strength and consolation Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation?Joy of every longing heart
Born Thy people to deliver?Born a child and yet a King?
Born to reign in us forever, ?Now Thy gracious kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Sprit?Rule in all our hearts alone?
By Thine all sufficient merit?Raise us to Thy glorious throne
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,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Mark 1:1-8 NRSV
MESSAGE:"POINTING TOWARD PEACE" - Pastor Melissa
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
–John 1:6-8 NRSV
MUSIC O Come O Come Emmanuel
O Come O come Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here,
Until the son of God appear
Refrain
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel,
Shall come to thee oh Israel.
O come thou dayspring, come and cheer,
Our spirits by thine advent here,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night.
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
O come thou thou wisdom from on high
And order all things far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show
And cause us in her ways to go
Oh come desire of nations bind
All peoples in one heart and mind
Bid envy strife and quarrels cease
Fill the whole world with heavens peace
COMMUNION
(Be prepared to join us by having your communion elements ready. You can have the traditional juice and bread, but you don't have to. Jesus used what was already there on the table, the bread and wine that were part of their dinner. Those items became significant because he gave them special meaning. So feel free to use whatever beverage and food you have on hand.)
BENEDICTION
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)