PRELUDE          “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”           Mark Sedio                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLES 

*HYMN 104               O Lord, How Shall I Meet You 

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: Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 3:1-6

SERMON             “Preparing the Way”         Rev. Barrett Ingram

*HYMN 96                 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist Cry

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH                          The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.  

*“catholic” (little c) is translated as “universal” and is not a reference to the Roman Catholic Church.

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM         “Prepare the Way, O Zion”   

                                                                                       Larry Shackley

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*DOXOLOGY       

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 87                 Comfort, Comfort Now My People 

BENEDICTION  

POSTLUDE        “Savior of the Nations, Come”       Charles Callahan                  

*Those who are able are invited to stand.