(Image: “Are you one of ‘Waiting People” The Kingdom At Grace Lutheran Oshawa)
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The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am
Prelude………………………………………………………..Zachary B.
Coming of the Light:
Greetings:……………………………………………………..Pastor Liz
Announcements:……………………………………………….Lorri B.
Call to Worship:………………………………………………….Ian D.
In God’s house, we can be joyful.
We can be grateful.
We can be hopeful.
In God’s house, we can be weary.
We can be anxious.
We can be grieving.
In God’s house, we can be honest-
inspired or tired,
delighted or doubtful,
connected or curious,
and everything in between.
This is God’s house. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Let us worship our loving God.
Opening Prayer:………………………………………………….Ian D.
O God of all the prophets,
you herald the coming of the Son of Man
by wondrous signs in the heavens and on the earth.
Guard our hearts from despair so that we,
in the company of the faithful
and by the power of your Holy Spirit,
may be found ready to raise our heads
at the coming near of our redemption,
the day of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Candle:………………….Aaron/Elizabeth
Scripture: Isaiah 2:1-5
In a world that feels weary and uncertain, we long for God’s promise of peace.
We wait for the day when swords will be turned into plowshares and all nations will walk in the light of the Lord.
We light this candle as a sign of our hope.
Even in the darkness, the light of Christ is coming.
God of hope,
Shine your light in our weary hearts.
Lift our eyes to your promise of peace and renewal.
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
Opening Hymn:. All Earth Is Waiting #210 UMH
Words: Catalonian text by Alberto Taulé,1972
English trans. By Gertrude C. Suppe, 1987
Music: Alberto Taulé trans. 1989 The UM Publishing
House; harm. © 1988 Skinner Chávez-Melo
1. All earth is waiting to see the Promised One, and
the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord. All the world,
bound and struggling, seeks true liberty; it cries out for
justice and searches for the truth.
2. Thus says the prophet to those of Israel, “A virgin
mother will bear Emmanuel,” for his name is “God with
us,” our brother shall be, with him hope will blossom
once more within our hearts.
3. Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain;
open new highways, new highways for the Lord.
He is now coming closer, so come all and see,
and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.
Passing of the Peace:……………………………………Pastor Liz
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri:…….“Glory Be to the Father”…….#71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, to
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Offertory:.. ……………………………………………………Zachary B.
AFUMC online giving link: https://afumc.com/give/
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology) #94 UMH
Adapted © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674, adapted by Gilbert Vieira, 1978
Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer After Receiving:……………………………………Pastor Liz
The Prayers of the People:……………………………….Pastor Liz
The Lord’s Prayer:
Anthem: …………………..…………………………………..Zachary B.
Gospel Lesson:……………. Luke 21:25-36…………………Ian D.
Watch for the coming of the Son of Man
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Hymn of Preparation:“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” #211 UMH
Music: 15th Century French; arranged and harmonized by Thomas Helmore, 1854 © 1981 The Church Pension Fund and © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing HouseWords: 9th Century Latin
1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
2. O come, 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.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
“Message: ……“The Best Laid Plans..……Rev. Kirk Oldham
Response to the Word: Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Congregational response:
With God’s help we will proclaim the good news
And live according to the example of Christ.
We will surround Maeve
with a community of love and forgiveness,
that she may grow in her trust of God,
and be found faithful in her service to others.
We will pray for her,
That she may be a true disciple
who walks in the way that leads to life.
Response:
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Tell of God’s mercy each day.
Response:
Declare his works to the nations,
His glory among all the people.
Response:
All praise to you, Eternal Father,
through your Son Jesus Christ,
who with you and the Holy Spirit
lives and reigns for ever.
Amen.
Response:
Through baptism
you are incorporated by the Holy Spirit
into God’s new creation
and made to share in Christ’s royal priesthood.
We are all one in Christ Jesus.
with joy and thanksgiving we welcome you
as a member of the family of Christ.
Closing Hymn: “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” #206 UMH
Words and Music: Kathleen Thomerson, 1966 © 1970, 1975 Celebration
1. I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world. The star
Of my life is Jesus.
Refrain
In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are
both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
2. I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path, and
show me the way to the Father.
Refrain
In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are
both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
3. I’m looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race, we
shall know the joy of Jesus.
Refrain
In him there is no darkness at all. The night and the day are
both alike. The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
Dismissal with Blessing:………………………………….Pastor Liz
Postlude:…………………………………………………….Zachary B.