Grace Presbyterian Church
Meeting in the Chapel at Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
First Sunday of Advent – Hope
Welcome
Prelude “Prepare the Way” Frans Mikael Franzen
Call to Worship (Inspired by Isaiah 43:1-4 and Luke 1:26-29)
One: God says,
All: “Do not be afraid.”
One: God says,
All: “I have called you by name.”
One: God says,
All: “I will be with you.”
One: God says,
All: “You are precious and honored in my sight.”
One: At the beginning of this season,
All: at the start of this week,
One: at the top of this hour,
All: may we wrap ourselves in these words.
One: May we begin again.
All: Let us worship our Holy God!
Opening Prayer
Hymn * (Back of Bulletin) “Here I Am to Worship”
Lighting the Advent Candle of Hope
One: In a weary and worn world, how do we begin again? Where do we start?
All: Let us begin with the good news! Let us begin by trusting that we are a blessing, loved by a gracious God. Let us begin with music and singing! Let us begin with warmth and welcome. Let us begin with hope.
One: Yes, let us begin with hope. Today we light the candle of hope to shine a light in a worn and
weary world.
All: May this be our foundation. May this be our fresh start. May this be our new beginning.
One: May hope flow forth from here. Amen!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.
Time with Children
Call to Confession
Unison Confession of Sin
Affirming God, Your first words to creation were words of love. You looked at this earth and said, “It is good.” You spoke affirmations through the prophets. You spoke blessings over Mary. You spoke belonging through Christ. At every turn, you have reiterated that we are a blessing, made in your image, held in your love. Forgive us for forgetting this truth. Forgive us for measuring our worth by society’s measuring stick instead of yours. We believe. Help our unbelief. In Christ’s name we pray,
amen.
Responsive Assurance of Forgiveness
Family of faith, I don’t know the last time someone told you that you are good, just as you are.
I don’t know the last time you heard that you are loved and created in the image of God.
I don’t know the last time you trusted those words and truly believed that you are a blessing.
However, in case it has been a while, hear these words from Isaiah:
God says,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.”
We are forgiven. We are loved. Let it leave you awestruck.
Thanks be to God! May we believe it. Amen.
Praise be to God in Song “Gloria Patri”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Lesson Isaiah 43:1-7
Message Assurance for Troubled Times and People The Rev. Chad Rodgers
Hymn 5 * “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
Affirmation of Faith The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offertory “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Arr. Rich Coburn
Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper including the Lord’s Prayer
(Please note that gluten-free bread is served and grape juice can be substituted with water.)
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 forever. Amen.
Hymn 379 * “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”
Announcements
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy comes from Sanctified Art.
Today we welcome Chad Rodgers as our guest preacher. Chad grew up in Northern California about an hour north of San Francisco in the heart of wine country. He spent many summers working at Westminster Woods Summer Camp located under redwoods along a tributary of the Russian River. Chad has been a Presbyterian pastor for 21 years serving churches in Monterey, CA, Califon, NJ, and now serves as the Associate Director of Programs at Johnsonburg Camp and Conference Center. He enjoys walks with his dogs Ted and Millie, converting a 40’ retired school bus into an off-grid tiny home, kayaking quiet waters with his wife Kim, trying to keep up with his daughter on Goodreads, listening to numerous podcasts, and unapologetically rooting for the San Francisco Giants.
Mark your calendars:
Sunday, December 1, Youth Group at Toni’s Kitchen 3 pm – 5 pm
Tuesday, December 3, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast, 8 am at St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave
Wednesday, December 4, Caregiver’s Group, 10:30 am at the learning center at UCC
Friday, December 6, Seasoned With Grace Christmas luncheon at Lauren Meyer’s. Please RSVP to Elaine Fiveland.
Saturday, December 7, Crafting and Cookie Exchange at the Manse, 1pm – 3pm, see Emily Rishel for more information.
Sunday, December 8, Friends of Grace Community Dinner, St John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Ave, 5pm-6:30pm.
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and needed. Non-perishables only please. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
Fill out an Estimate of Giving Form for 2025 on Tithely! For those of you who already give online, please use your current login information to fill in your estimate of giving card. If you are new to Tithely, you may put in your information and you do not need to sign up for giving online when you do so. Feel free to also use the printed forms or to let the office know what you will be giving for 2025.
