Watchword for the Week

Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but

my words will not pass away.” (Luke 21:33)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2015)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(Verses from Psalm 25)

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

My God, I put my trust in you;

let me not be put to shame,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.

Show me your ways, O LORD,

and teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

in you I have trusted all the day long.

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,

for they are everlasting;

Remember not the sins of my youth and my

transgressions; remember me according to

your steadfast love and for the sake of your

goodness, O Lord.

You lead the lowly in justice

and teach the lowly your way.

All your paths, O Lord,

are steadfast love and faithfulness to those

who keep your covenant and your testimonies.

Hymn 273 * O come, O come, Emmanuel

People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)

(The first Advent candle is carried into church lit)

PRAYERS OF LIGHT AND CONFESSION

In the times when we tremble,

the Light is with us.

In the times when we fail to hear,

the Light is with us.

In the times when we dare not look,

the Light is with us.

In our worship, in our lives,

the Light is with us.

Today we light a candle… a candle of hope as

we enter this season of preparation and waiting.

May we prepare for the coming of the light, by

seeing the light in those around us.

Show us your light as we prepare to

welcome you, as we dare to hope for a new

way of living and being – of living and being

as children of light.

Lord Jesus Christ, come into our hearts as light:

Make plain what is hidden in the shadow, and

give us such joy in receiving you that we long to

be rid of all that keeps us from you.

(Silence)

For the widening gulf between

those in comfort and those who are poor,

Come Jesus, forgive us,

Come Jesus, forgive and change us.

For the carelessness that treats our world

as if there is no tomorrow,

Come Jesus, forgive us,

Come Jesus, forgive and change us.

For the suspicion of what is different

that sets human against human,

Come Jesus, forgive us,

Come Jesus, forgive and change us.

For the embarrassment at speaking out

that silences the Good News,

Come Jesus, forgive us,

Come Jesus, forgive and change us.

WORDS of ASSURANCE

Forgiven and changed, our Lord Jesus makes

us people of the light, shining until in his glorious

presence darkness is driven away forever.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may leave for Kids’ Church in the halls next door)

SCRIPTURE READINGS