Order of Worship at Washington Street United Methodist Church

Washington Street United Methodist Church

▪ Order of Worship ▪

First Sunday of Advent
Liturgical Color: Purple

November 30, 2008
Eleven O'clock

This Sunday is the first Sunday in the season of Advent. It is the beginning of a new liturgical year as we observe the season of anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ the Son of God. May our worship be a celebration of the good news of Emmanuel, God with us.
The Prelude	"Medley of Traditional Christmas Carols" Becky Thompson, flute; Ralph Rozier, organ			Gilliam and McCaskill
The Call to Worship
The Ringing of the Bell
*The Hymn		"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"	No. 196
*The Affirmation of Faith		"The Nicene Creed"	No. 880
*The Response		"Emmanuel, Emmanuel"	No. 204
	Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel! God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel!
The Collect
	We gather as a people filled with gratitude, O God, for we know that life is filled with goodness we can neither earn nor deserve. We rejoice in your mercy, and in your grace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, and for the promise of resurrection and everlasting life for all who believe. Help us to worship you in spirit and in truth, that we may be filled with your Spirit, and transformed by your great love for us. Through that same Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
The Lighting of the First Advent Candle
Leader:	Hear the words of the prophet Isaiah: “For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”
People:	We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope. May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way of salvation. O come, O come, Emmanuel.
The Welcome, Concerns and Celebrations
(First time visitors should register using a blue card, and place it in the offering plate later in the service.)
The Sacrament of Baptism			Page 39
Leila Rose Jackson, daughter of Grant and Jennifer Jackson, born July 29, 2008
The Children's Moments
(Children from two years through five years of age may leave for Children's Church I and II.)
The Old Testament Lesson		Isaiah 64:1-9
*The Responsive Reading		Psalm 80 (response 1)	Pages 801-802
*The New Testament Lesson		Mark 13:24-37
Leader:	The word of God for the people of God.
Congregation:	Thanks be to God.
The Anthem		"He Shall Feed His Flock"	Beck
The Pastoral Prayer The Lord's Prayer
The Presentation of Tithes and Offerings
The Offertory	"Jesu Bambino" Cheryl Thompson, alto; Becky Thompson, flute			Yon
*The Doxology	"Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow"			No. 95
*The Prayer of Thanksgiving
	O God, we bring our gifts to your altar, for we are grateful for the bounty of your goodness to us, and we long to see your Kingdom come on earth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray: Amen.
*The Hymn	"Blessed Be the God of Israel"			No. 209
The Sermon	"The Manager Within"			Harmon
*The Hymn	"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"			No. 211
*The Benediction
*The Choral Response
*The Postlude	"Ricercar for time of Advent"			Fischer
We will receive new members on Sunday, December 28, at both the 9:00 and 11:00 services Contact Rev. Harmon (256-2417, pwharmon@umcsc.org) if you are interested in becoming part of our church family. FLOWERS Altar flowers are given to the glory of God and in memory of George A. Markert.