WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE      “The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came”      Hal Hopson                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ.

I will lead the blind by a road they do not know, by the paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them. —Isaiah 42:16

Christ, be our light, shine in our hearts
shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light, shine in Your church gathered today.

Come, Lord Jesus, our light and our salvation.

Let us walk in the light of the Lord.

*HYMN 106              Prepare the Way, O Zion

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                    

O Lord, you have called us to prepare for your arrival. But we confess that we have been content with lesser things. Rather than preparing for hope, we have remained mired in our fear. Rather than preparing for joy, we have already crowded our lives with frantic schedules and discouraging expectations. Forgive us for living as if you will not come. Free us to receive your advent…

Silent Prayers of Confession

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS – from Romans 13: 11b,12,14a    

Salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers: the night is far gone, the day is near. That day of salvation is experienced as we lay aside the works of darkness and put on the protection of the Light of the world - Jesus Christ - in whom and through whom we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

*GLORIA

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Isaiah 2:2-4, 6:1-8, 7:14; 9:2-7, 11:1-9

SERMON      “A Message from Isaiah of Jerusalem” 

*HYMN 129              Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH        The Apostles’ Creed     Page 35

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM   “Prepare the Way of the Lord” 

                                                                                  Michael Larkin

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY       

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 87                Comfort, Comfort Now My People 

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE      “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”    Henry Balcombe

*Those who are able are invited to stand.