ORDER OF WORSHIP
December 3, 2023 10:30 AM
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Organ Prelude Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE. The Hannon Family
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel.
PEOPLE: Stir up thy might and come to save us!
Leader: Restore us, o God; let thy face shine,
PEOPLE: that we may yet be saved.
Leader: Open thou my lips.
PEOPLE: And my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
INVOCATION
Gracious God, as we enter this Season of Advent, guide our anticipation of the glorious
birth of Jesus with the real reason for this season of joy and celebration and guide us in
keeping that message close to one another and to our families. In joyful anticipation,
Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Red #135
CALL TO CONFESSION
Advent reminds us of all that is joyful, but we need to remember that we are still cloaked
in transgressions that we may not even be aware of. Let us pray together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord, we are incomplete beings searching far and wide to be made whole. Though we try as hard as we might, we will never find completeness in the worldly things we acquire to fill the void. Fill our hearts with the peace that goes beyond all understanding. Call to us, that we may come to you with repentant hearts. Help all to see that your kingdom has come near and that it is You, and only You, whom we’ve been searching for all along. Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
In the journey of this season, we approach the Holidays almost as Joseph and Mary approaching Bethlehem. And in that spirit of new beginnings, we are forgiven. Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI Red #805
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Today we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism of Riley Kate Hannon, Daughter of Brittany Lyn and Ryan Michael Hannon, and sister to Brooks Michael and Connor John and Erin Lyn.
Samantha and Scott Dursley stand with Riley and her family with the promise to demonstrate for her the love and light our Lord has shown all of us.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “How Great Thou Art” Red # 21
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the ways of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 64: 1-8 John Safran
EPISTLE READING 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
GOSPEL READING Mark 13: 30-37
SERMON MESSAGE A Time of Waiting John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
LORD’S PRAYER
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
COMMUNION HYMN “We Come as Guests Invited” Red #784
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Concluding Prayer
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
We give freely from the bounty we have been given by our Gracious God. May what we
offer in these moments help to become the very blessing and hope that others need.
This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional Red #809
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor
you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus
Christ. Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN “God Be with You” Red #839
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE: “Lift up Your Heads, Ye mighty Gates” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955