First Sunday of Advent – Hope
Grace Presbyterian Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude “Veni Domine from Advent” Pietro A. Yon
Responsive Call to Worship
One: In God’s house, we can be joyful.
All: We can be grateful. We can be hopeful.
One: In God’s house, we can be weary.
All: We can be anxious. We can be grieving.
One: In God’s house, we can be honest—
All: inspired or tired, delighted or doubtful, connected or curious, and everything in between.
One: This is God’s house. You are welcome exactly as you are.
All: Let us worship our loving God.
Opening Prayer
Hymn 5* “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Psalm 80:1-7; 17-19
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Silent Personal Confession
One; Gracious God, we are weary. For weary bodies that ache and cry out, we pray:
All: Forgive us for pushing ourselves too hard. Reminds us that we deserve Sabbath rest.
One: For weary minds that feel overwhelmed and saturated with news, we pray:
All: Forgive us for creating so many distractions. Remind us that in the quiet, we can hear you.
One: For weary hearts that long to feel the joy of this season, we pray:
All: Forgive us for being impatient with ourselves. Remind us that healing takes time, and that joy and grief can coexist.
One: For the weary edges of our faith that struggle to hold onto hope,
All: Forgive us. Remind us of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Remind us that your good news knows no bounds. Amen.
Responsive Assurance of Pardon
One: Family of faith, no matter how many times we wear ourselves thin, no matter how many times we lose ourselves to distractions, no matter how many times we ask ourselves, “How can this be?” God’s love keeps showing up for us. So say this with me:
All: We are loved. We are claimed. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading Luke 1:1-23
Message A Weary World Rejoices Part 1 The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 36* “In the Bleak Midwinter”
Lighting of the Advent Candle
One: How does a weary world hope?
All: By telling stories of hope, by lighting candles in the night, and planting seeds in the winter that will bloom in the spring.
One: By praying for children as they grow, and picking up trash on the sidewalk.
All: By insisting that small acts can make a difference.
One: There are a million ways to practice hope.
So today we light the candle of hope as a reminder and a charge.
With God’s help, may we bring hope into a weary world. Amen.
Why It Gives Me Joy to Give to GPC
Offertory “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” arr. Rich Coburn
Doxology
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper including the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 56* “The First Nowell”
Benediction
Mark your calendars:
Tuesday, Dec 5 8:00 am Men’s Breakfast @ St John’s Episcopal church 55 Montclair Avenue
7:30 pm PNC meeting at the Manse
Wednesday, Dec 6 10:30 am Caregiver’s at Union Congregational
Thursday, Dec 7, 12 Noon, Seasoned with Grace Christmas Luncheon @ Montclair Community Church, 143 Watchung Ave, Upper Montclair
The next Friends of Grace Dinner is on December 10. Appetizers for 30 are still needed. If you can help out with this request, please let Friends of Grace know.
Donations of socks, hats, gloves and new or gently used and washed blankets are wanted for Friends of Grace. They can bring them to church on Sundays and we will bring them to the manse for storage.
Liturgy adapted from Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org and by Teri Mcdowell Ott of the Presbyterian Outlook along with Pastor Robin and the Holy Spirit.