First Sunday of Advent: Hope
Preludes Prelude from Bk. I op. 31 Louis Vierne
Chorale preludes on “Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme” Dupré & Bach
Welcome
Call to Worship
*Opening Hymn No. 1 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
*Prayer of Invocation and Hope.
Come, O God of Hope, and bless our time of worship together. Lead us in the way of faith this season. Guide us with your light. For we confess, that sometimes our sense of anticipation is dulled. It is hard to startle us or inspire us. We do not see your wonders in our safely-distanced midst. So wake us up, God; help us to watch, and to prepare for your miracles. Send your hope and Christ’s love to our darkness, and bring us to follow in His life-giving way. Amen.
The Prophet of Hope Jeremiah 33: 14-16
The Candles of Hope ** Wendy Donnell
Prayer of Advent
O God, we thank you that Jesus brought hope into our world. By the Good news of the Bible and here in community you still bring hope. Help us to get ready — to prepare for new life — with our hearts and minds and actions, to bring hope to your beloved creation.
Children proceed to the Great Hall (sung, seated)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel;
To us the path of knowledge show, and help us in that way to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee O Israel.
The Gospel Reading Luke 21: 25-36
The Morning Meditation Kenneth Baily
Choral Anthem O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arr. John Rutter
Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer (“Our father and mother… trespasses”)
*Hymn of Departure No. 3 Comfort, Comfort You My People
*Assurance and Blessing
Postlude Duetto III, Clavierubung Part 3 J.S. Bach
* Those who are able please stand
** Candles of Hope are available to everyone this week. After the scripture you may come forward to light a candle and (in a word or two) say what you hope for this year into the microphone so all can hear. Many candles spread much light.
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Next Sunday:
First, thank you to all who have cooked Thanksgiving meals for a dozen+ families, distributed last week. It was wonderful. Next Sunday (Sunday of Peace) weather permitting we’ll be out of doors singing hymns and carols, so no communion. We’ll celebrate the Eucharist December 12. Watch for updates on the web and mailings.
During this time of covid caution we welcome all
to safe, careful congregational assembly, with masks.
(Except for worship leaders while they are speaking/singing.)
Note that our leaders are vaccinated and boosted.
Cleaning has increased and we welcome your questions.
We have a touch-free offering today
That is, you may leave a gift in the basket,
deliver an envelope after worship, send a gift
via email or online, or any touch-free method you wish
Thanks to worship leaders Wendy Donnell, Ken Baily, Mary Jane Rupert – organ, and deacons Tony Rudié, Melissa Dietrich and Joy Huber
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.
Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC
54 Lincoln Street, Newton, MA
www.nhcc.net 617 527 3898