Order of Worship

Opening Voluntary – “Prelude in B-flat Major, BWV 560” by J. S. Bach (spurious)

Welcome/Greetings

Choral Introit

*Opening Hymn #211 – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”    ~Verses 1-4~

Lighting of the 1^st Advent Candle     The DiSalvo Family

All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

*Call to Worship

L:  We begin the journey that leads to Christmas.

P:  Let us walk in the light of the Lord.

L:  This is a journey of peace.

P:  Let us beat swords into plowshares.

L:  This is a journey of hope.

P:  Let us walk with God.

*Opening Prayer

Everlasting God, we begin our journey toward Christmas with hope stirring within.  Teach us how to get ready.  Show how to prepare our hearts for Jesus.  Help us walk in your ways, as we put on your Son, Jesus Christ.  Guide us on your paths of peace and understanding, as we prepare our hearts anew for the road ahead.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Holy One, we want to know your plan.  We want to know when and how things will happen.  You have shown us your ways and taught us to walk in the paths of peace.  Teach us to trust your never-ending care, for our future is in your hands.  Help us cast aside our holiday worries and live with Advent joy!  Amen.

Words of Assurance

God offers us peace and security.  God goes with us on our journey.

Passing of the Peace of Christ

God calls us to set aside our weapons, stop fighting, and live in peace and security.

Children’s Message          Rev. Eumin Kim

Scriptures

New Testament – Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time:  The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  ¹² The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.  So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  ¹³ Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.  ¹⁴ Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading – Matthew 24:36-44 (NIV)

³⁶ “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  ³⁷ As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  ³⁸ For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; ³⁹ and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.  That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  ⁴⁰ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  ⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  ⁴³ But understand this:  If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

*Hymn #196 – “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”                     

Sermon – “Ready or Not Here I Come”      Rev. Eumin Kim

Pastoral Prayer

Lord’s Prayer

Invitation to Tithes and Offering

As we prepare the way of the Lord, let us open our hearts to share gifts of love and mercy-gifts that are pleasing to our God.

Anthem – “Carol for Advent” by Don Besig

*Hymn No. 95 – Presentation of the Offering

*Prayer of Dedication

God of all goodness, as we walk in the light of your love, we are blessed by the abundance of your gifts.  You give us the beauty of nature, food to nourish our bodies, and communities to love and support us.  Out of our abundance, we bring our gifts to you.  May these gifts increase peace in our community and throughout the world. Amen.

*Closing Hymn #381 – “Savior Like a Shepherd Led Us”            

*Dismissal with Blessing

Closing Voluntary – “Fugue in B-flat Major, BWV 560” by J. S. Bach (spurious)