December 3rd, 2023
Call to Worship - Responsive
God is good
All the time!
All the time
God is good!
Welcome
Lighting of the Advent Candle
-Introduction
-Candle lighting:
Advent 1 Based on Mark 13:24-37
Group 1:
But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Group 2:
When you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. But about that day or that hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Group 1:
Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.
All (while the 1st candle is lit):
Therefore keep awake, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.
-Leader’s Invocation Prayer
Confession and Pardon
-Invitation
-Silent Prayer
-Unison Confession:
Lord, we have not kept watch for you.
We have not acknowledged the love that has been shown to us.
Forgive us for our lack of watchfulness.
Help us to wait to know your will.
Help us to look out for the needs of others.
Help us to work and watch for your coming. Amen.
-Assurance of Pardon:
Hear the words of assurance from Paul’s letter to the Colossians:
“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13–14, NLT)
In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven and free!
Songs of Praise
#193 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
#221 Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming
Greeting Time
-Announcements: Thanks for PNC & decorators; Budget Mtg.; congregational mtg.; Erwilian on 16th & 17th; X-Mas eve morning and eve at 6:30
-Announcement for Panther Lake (Debbie)
Praying the Old Testament
Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
How long, Lord God Almighty,
will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
-Psalm 80:3-7; 17–19 (NIV)
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn of Praise
#199 See Amid the Winter Snow
Receiving God's Word
Message: “Waiting Ready” - Mark 13:24-37
Rev. Eric Amundson
-Prayer
Offering
-Invitation
-Offertory
-Doxology
-Prayer for Gifts
Communion
-Invitation to the Table
-Prayer of Consecration
-Jesus’ Words at the Table
-Receiving the Elements
-Prayer
Closing Hymn
#203 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing