December 2, 2018
First Sunday of Advent
Prelude: Sleepers Awake, A Voice is Calling J.S. Bach
Chiming of the Hour
*Hymn: #88O Come, O Come, Emmanuel(v. 1-4)
Welcome
Joys and Concerns
Kyrie: (Kyrie eleison; Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison.)
Lord have mercy; Christ have mercy; Lord have mercy.
Lighting the First Advent Candle ~ Hope
One: The light is surely coming!
All: Its rays reaching out to illuminate injustice and oppression.
One: With hope we watch for new growth to be coaxed from the earth.
All: With anticipation we wait for the branch of mercy to shed its lifelessness and sprout new fruit.
One: We open our hands to be bearers of Christ’s light in the world.
All: We open our hearts to be transformed with the promise of possibility that is to come.
One: As we light this candle, the candle of Hope, we pray that it will brighten our path, that our steps inside the church might align with our steps outside in the world.
All: We await the Son of God!
(The candle of Hope is lit.)
Advent Response: #85 Light One Candle (v. 1 – sung by all)
Call to Worship
One: The days are surely coming says our God, when justice and righteousness will appear.
All: God’s promises will be made known to us, and we will declare God’s goodness and salvation.
One: Lift up your souls in trust and praise; open your hearts and minds to God’s teaching.
All: God’s ways will be demonstrated to us, and we will seek to walk in them all our days.
One: Render thanksgiving to God for all life’s benefits. Watch and pray, in holiness and abiding faith.
All: God’s mercy and steadfast love will surround us, and we will abound in love for one another.
One: Come, let us worship God together!
Prayer of Invocation (in unison)
In obedience and trust, we approach you, God of the covenant. Day by day, your promises are fulfilled among us. Our redemption is drawing near. Help us to prepare ourselves and our communities for Christ’s coming. Equip us now to worship with all the saints, past and present, nearby and far away. Amen.
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
God of promises and possibilities, we admit that we color the world according to our own limited vision. We are often unjust in our judgments and faithless in our relationships. We are haunted by sins we have not confessed. Hear us as we entrust them to your forgiving care. Help us to let go of our transgressions, to renew our covenant with you, and to live constructively with one another. In the spirit of Jesus Christ, whose coming among us we await with great expectation. Hear now our silent confessions as we turn to you, seeking your mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Moment of Silent Prayer
Assurance of God’s Love
Gloria: (Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax.)
Glory to God in the highest; and on Earth, peace to people of good will. We praise you; we bless you; we adore you; we glorify you. We give you thanks for your great glory.
Responsive Reading – Psalm 25:1-10
(Page 618 in the Hebrew Scripture in the pew Bible)
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures – Jeremiah 33:14-16
(Page 903 in the Hebrew Scriptures in the pew Bible)
*Hymn: #83Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus (v.1&2)
Sacrament of Communion
The cut bread on the communion plate is gluten free.
The communion wine is non-alcoholic.
Communion Prayer (in unison)
Gracious God, you have once again shown us your love by bringing us to this meal. We go from this table, renewed in faith, renewed in courage, and strengthened by your presence. Thank you for loving us so tenderly. Thank you for challenging us to know you better and to receive you more fully. It is in Christ’s name that we pray. Amen.
*Hymn: #83Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus (v.3&4)
(Children will leave for Sunday School)
Offering of our Gifts
Sanctus: (Sanctus)
Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord God of Sabaoth.
Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.
*Doxology:#607 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise Christ, all people here below; praise Holy Spirit ever more;
praise Triune Godwhom we adore. Amen.
Prayer of Dedication
Gospel Reading – Luke 21: 25-36
(Page 104 in the New Testament in the pew Bible)
Sermon: “Hope In Things to Come”
Reverend Dr. Diane Monti-Catania
Pastoral Prayer, Silent Prayer & Lord’s Prayer
*Hymn:#107 Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn
Benediction
Benedictus: (Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.)
Blessed are you, Lord God of all Creation.
(* Please stand if able.)
Welcome Statement
We, the Salisbury Congregational Church, seek to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds and love our neighbors as ourselves.
This Church declares itself to be Open and Affirming to all for participation, membership, leadership and employment regardless of race, ancestry, class, gender identity, physical/mental ability or sexual orientation.
We further declare ourselves to be Affirming of each individual as a child of God, celebrating the total identity of each person.
As a declared Open and Affirming Congregation, we commit ourselves to work toward ending ignorance, fear, hatred, prejudice and discrimination against any person.
No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!
If you are visiting us today, Welcome!
Please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to our Pastor or to one of the Deacons. Fill out a welcome card in the pew to be put on our email list!
Please join us in the Parish Hall for refreshments and fellowship following worship. All are welcome.
Today’s special musicis from the Coronation Mass of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart written in 1779 and first played for worship in the Salzburg Cathedral.
Soloists: Jennifer Oberto (soprano), Emily Elliot (soprano), Betsy Beck (alto), Lee Collins (tenor), Charlie Noyes (tenor), and Malcolm Brown (bass), Emily Elliot.
Members of the choir: (Soprano) Louise Brown, Mary Davidson, Emily Elliot, Kim Fiertz, Peggy Heck, Carol Magowen, Jennifer Oberto, Christine Morel, (Alto) Betsy Beck, Jano Fairservis, Rowena Fenstermacher, Deborah Mark, Sara Wardell (Tenor) Lee Collins, Deryl Godshall, Charlie Noyes (Bass) Ward Belcher, Malcolm Brown, John Estabrook, David Heck
Members of the Salisbury Sinfonietta: (Violin) Cyrus Stevens, Brian Rash, (Cello) Andrea Mills, (Bass) Kevin Huhn, (Oboe) Charles Huang, Ling Fei Hang, (Trumpet) Ken Tedschi, Tom Krupa, (Timpani) Robert Kelly, (Organ) Jackson Kohl.
Please see an usher if:
You would like to use a hearing device
If you would like to bring your child to the Nursery
Many thanks to:
The Deacons for lighting the Advent candle
Bob Maxwell for serving as our lay reader
Becky Belcher & Joe Catania for serving as ushers
Prayer List
Evan, Marty Sorenson, Franny Yerkes, Terry Roy & family, Petee Robinson, Leonard Kaufman, Dick Taber,Tom Splaine, Laura Hawks, Joe K., Peter & Linda, Paula & Herman, Anne & Bill, Jan & John Hazard.
The family & friends of: John Arnold, Jack Ritchie, Fred Palmer, Harriet Hoffman, Scott Miller.
CALENDAR
Today: 11:30 am Trustees Meeting
Monday: 1 pm Salisbury Bridge Club
5:30 pm Bereavement Group
Tuesday: Bell Choir Performs at Geer Village
Rehearsal ~ 4:30 pm
Dinner ~ 5:30 pm
Program ~ 7 pm
Wednesday: 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday: 4:30 pm Women’s Bible Study
7 pm HousaTonics
Friday: 7:45 am Men’s Bible Study
4 pm Youth Group Baking in the Kitchen
6 pm Bell Choir Performs at Immaculate Conception in Norfolk