The Worship of God
December 4, 2022 | Second Sunday of Advent | Lessons and Carols
Join us in person or online each Sunday at 9:30 or 11:00 a.m. Below is this week's order of worship.
* Please stand as you are able. | The congregation speaks the text in bold type.
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Joy and Terry Wingfield, given by their children and grandchildren.
The Prelude
“People Look East” | arr. Sondra K. Tucker
Gwyn Bacon, Organ and the Brass Ensemble
Brandon Craswell, Geoff Wood & Ed Bush, trumpets; Peter Riggs, horn; Thomas Minor, trombone; David Stone, baritone; Andrew Blair, timpani
The Welcome and Opening Prayer
9:30 a.m. | Nancy Johnson
11:00 a.m. | Betsy Butler
The Introit
9:30 a.m. | Get Ready" | Mark Burrows
Sung by the Sonshine & Joy Choirs
Leaders: Patti Pitts, Cathy Felton, Arlyn Hawley, Josh Luke, Amy McCollum
Youth Helpers: Grady Huestis, Emma Steger
Get ready! Get ready! A Savior is coming. Get ready! Get ready! No time to delay. Get ready! Get ready! A Savior is coming. Emmanuel is on the way. A child will soon be born to us to rule in power and might. He’ll chase the stormy clouds away and make our darkness bright. The mountains all will be made low, the valleys will be raised. The crooked paths will be made straight, O let the Lord be praised!
11:00 a.m. | "Light a Little Candle" | Joseph M. Martin
Sung by the Lyric & Celebrate Choirs
Leaders: Beth Rector, Rosemary Belger, Steven Dasher, Erin Towe, Sylvia Arant
Youth Helpers: Abigail Cook, Diana Waller
Light a little candle of hope in your heart. Christ the Lord is coming soon. Light a little candle of hope in your heart, reflect it in all that you do. Light a little candle of hope, Light a little candle of peace and love. Light a little candle of joy in your heart. Christmastime is coming soon. Light a little candle of joy in your heart. Christmastime will soon be here. Light a little candle of joy in your heart, let its glory shine out bright and clear. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Light a little candle of peace in your heart. Christmas lights will soon burn bright. Light a little candle of peace in your heart, let it burn throughout the night. Christmastime will soon be here!
*The Processional Hymn
UMH 211 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" | VENI EMMANUEL
Verses 1-4
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show
and cause us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree,
an ensign of thy people be;
before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
*The Lighting of the Advent Candles
9:30 a.m. | Dawn and David Bradley
11:00 a.m. | Cathy Robinson and The Jones Family
Let us pray.
Loving God, as we enter this Advent season, we open all the dark places in our lives and memories to the healing light of Christ. Show us the creative power of hope. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of Christ.
All singing:
A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease.
For Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
*The Passing of the Peace
The Pastoral Prayer and the Lord's Prayer
Jeremy Lawson
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
The Hymn
UMH 211 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" | VENI EMMANUEL
Verses 5-7
O come, thou Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
The captives from their prison free,
and conquer death’s deep misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thy justice here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations bind
all peoples in one heart and mind.
From dust thou brought us forth to life;
deliver us from earthly strife.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
The Lessons and Carols
“Keep Your Lamps!” | arr. André Thomas (3’30”)
Sung by the Combined Choirs and Route 56 Music
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, the time is drawing nigh. Children, don't get weary, the time is drawing nigh. Christian, journey soon be over, the time is drawing nigh.
The Hymn
UMH 206 “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” | HOUSTON
Verse 1
I want to walk as a child of the light. I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world. The star of my life is Jesus.
In him there is no darkness at all. The light and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
The Reading
Genesis 1:1-5 | John 1:1-5, 14
The Anthem
“The Word Was God” | Rosephanye Powell
Sung by the Wesleyan Youth Choir; Janis Maxwell, director
In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made, that have been made. Nothing was made, He has not made. All things were made by Him.
The Hymn
UMH 206 “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” | HOUSTON
Verse 2
I want to see the brightness of God. I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path, and show me the way to the Father.
In him there is no darkness at all. The light and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
The Reading
Isaiah 40:1-11 | Matthew 3:1–3
The Anthem
“And the Glory of the Lord” from The Messiah | George F. Handel
Sung by the Sanctuary Choir,
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. -Isaiah 40:5
The Reading
Isaiah 9:1–2;6 | Matthew 4:12–16
The Anthem
“Sure On This Shining Night” | Morten Lauridsen
Sung by the Chamber Ensemble
Sure on this shining night of star-made shadows round, kindness must watch for me this side the ground, on this shining night, this shining night. The late year lies down the north, All is healed, all is health. High summer holds the earth. Hearts all whole. I weap alone of shadows on the stars.
The Reading
Isaiah 7:10–14 | Matthew 1:20–23
The Offertory
Gracious God, in gratitude for all that you have given us, we bring our tithes and offerings to help feed a world hungry for hope, peace, love and joy. May they be multiplied to do your service, and may we be strengthened to do your work. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Anthem
“Walk in the Light” | André Thomas
Sung by the Combined Choirs
We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright. Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the Light of the world. Hark! The herald angels sing, Jesus, the Light of the world; “Glory to the newborn King.” Jesus, the Light of the world. Hail the heav’n born Prince of Peace! Jesus, the Light of the world; Christ, the everlasting Lord! Jesus, the Light of the world. Walk in the light, beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright. Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the Light of the world.
All singing: We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright. Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the Light of the world.
UMH 206 “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light” | HOUSTON
Verse 3
I’m looking for the coming of Christ. I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race, we shall know the joy of Jesus.
In him there is no darkness at all. The light and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God. Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
The Reading
Isaiah 35:1–6,8,10 | Revelation 22:12, 16–17; 20
The Anthem
“Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending” | arr. John Rutter
Sung by the Sanctuary Choir with the Brass Ensemble
The text for this anthem can be found on page 718 of the United Methodist Hymnal.
The Hymn
UMH 240 “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” | MENDELSSOHN
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th'angelic hosts proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th'incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King"
*The Blessing
*The Postlude
“Introduction et Variations: Sortie No. 1” | Alexandre Guilmant
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