WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Robert Lau

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE

HYMN “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” #2

CALL TO CONFESSION – Hebrews 4:14-16

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Let’s pray, saying together….

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

WORDS OF ASSURANCE -- 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

Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the watching, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, the sighing, the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word in these Advent days, and walk with us until the day of your coming. Amen.

SCRIPTURE LESSON: Romans 15: 1-13

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. ² Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. ³ For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” ⁴ For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. ⁵ May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, ⁶ so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. ⁸ For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed ⁹ and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.”¹⁰ Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” ¹¹ And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.” ¹² And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” ¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

SERMON: “Finding Hope” Rev. Barrett Ingram

HYMN “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” #8

*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

BENEDICTION

*POSTLUDE “Low, He Comes With Clouds Descending” Kenneth Kosche

*Those that are able are invited to stand.

Announcements

Cram-A-Crib -- The crib for Boys and Girls Home is filling up fast. You can bring items for The Lake House through the month of November.

Roxane will be on vacation this week.

The next in person worship is Sunday, December 13th.

Prayer List:

Marguerite Hufham, Sarah Melvin, Louise Quick, Ronnie Rush, Juanita McGraw, Betty Johnson, Jane Minard, Bill Jackson, Darrel Melvin, Happy Lashlee, Gerry Carey, Becky Regan, Mary Ward, Lucille Hood, Amy Johnson, Bill Marsh, Esther Collier, Madeline NcNeill Long, Shannon Wilcox, Ted Johnson, Clara Wooten Hunsucker, Ernest Ray Long, Jo Campbell, Linda Smith, Susan and David Butler, Doug Bergeron, Margaret Ingram, Bill Greene, Allison Ward, Jimmy Hickman, Holly Eppley, Betty Faircloth, Susan Deans, Carey King, Sammy Hatcher, Pat Grainger, Kim Worley Sellers, Carmen McQueen, Claudia Hester, Wynn Hair family, Lin Weeks, George Thompson, Billy Hester, Randall Collins, Nellie Macon, Richard and Mary Jane Howell, Susan Priest