December 6, 2009             Second Sunday of Advent                                  9:30 a.m.       

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Prelude                    “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”     (Perkins)                 Joel Dizon

- A time for quiet meditation as people gather to worship

- Think and know that God is in our midst                    

Contemporary Songs of Praise                                                                       

            · “We Are Called”                                                                                    TFWS #2172

            · “Light of the World”                                                                              TFWS #2204

        · “Give Thanks”                                                                                       TFWS #2036

Welcome (guests are honored, birthdays and wedding anniversaries are celebrated)

+ Lighting of Advent Candles                                                      John & Debbie Wise

    L: We light the second candle as a symbol of Christ the Way – a way

         of Grace. Grace that redeems us from our sinfulness, grace that

         points us the way to Jesus the Christ.

    P: (singing, first stanza only)     “Prepare the Way of the Lord”                       UMH #207               

+ Call to Worship (Responsively)                                                    Debbie Wise

Blessed be the God of Israel

   Who has redeemed us.

God has raised up a mighty savior for us

   And remembered the holy covenant.                                                   [Luke 1]

+ Opening Hymn                  “Blessed Be the God of Israel”                             UMH#209

+ Invocation                                                                                                     Debbie Wise

Words of Welcome/Greeting                                                                          Pastor Fred

WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

Children’s Moment                                                                                    Karen Carpenter          

(Children 5 and under are invited to the nursery downstairs)

Scripture Lessons                      Malachi 3:1-4 (OT 1128)                              Debbie Wise

                                                 Philippians 1:3-11 (NT 287) 

Anthem                              “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”                                   Choir

Gospel Lesson                                Luke 3:1-6 (NT 88)                                    Debbie Wise

Sermon                                               John                                                   Pastor Fred                                    

A nursery is provided downstairs for children from infant up to age 5 only.

Sunday School starts before the sermon, continuing until the fellowship hour begins. Young people remain in service. Children’s bulletin are available in the entryway.

WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

+ Hymn                    “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”                UMH #384

Announcement of Ministry Opportunities                                         Pastor Fred

Sharing of Our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory                   “We Are the Reason”     (Thornquist)                 Joel Dizon

+ Response  “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”         UMH #94

      + Prayer of Dedication                                                         Debbie Wise

Sharing our Joys & Concerns                                                     Pastor Fred

   L: In Your mercy/In our joy                C: Lord, hear our prayer.

Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer                                                     UMH #895

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper                                                UMH #12-15

WE GO FORTH TO SERVE                                                 

+ Hymn                   “Angels from the Realms of Glory”                UMH #220

+ Closing Prayer & Benediction                                                Pastor Fred

                        Join us for fellowship downstairs !        

Meditation

Almighty God, who has sent the prophets to call us to repentance and to make straight the way of salvation: Grant that we might hear their words and amend our ways, so that when our redeemer comes, we may greet Him with joy; The same Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

                       [GELASIAN SACRAMENTARY; ALT. TJC]

Prayer to Take You Home

Lord Jesus, you keep surprising us, keep appearing in a way that we did not expect, keep saying things to us we did not expect to hear from you. This Advent, what we need is to meet you again, as if for the first time. We need, having met you, to be reintroduced to you. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen. 

Next Week’s Lectionary Readings ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent

Zephaniah 3:14-20

Isaiah 12:2-6

Philippians 4:4-7

Luke 3:7-18

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.

Welcome Visitors!

We are happy you are worshiping with us! Please take the time to fill out the welcome pad as it is passed in your row. If you need assistance for settling in and/or serving in a faith community, please feel free to contact the pastor or anyone of us.

                           Announcements                      

·         New Sunday School Class at 8:30am. We are using Rick Warren’s “The Purpose of Christmas.” We are meeting at the lower level.

·         Next Sun, Dec 13, young people will give Offertory Number during worship service.

·         Next Sun, Dec 13, Chancel Choir Christmas Cantata

·         Next Sun, Dec 13, 3:00pm, Parsonage Open House (merienda fellowship)

·         Save the date, Dec 16-24, 6:30pm, “Simbang Gabi” (Christmas Watch Service)

·         Save the date, Dec 24, 7:00pm , Christmas Eve Service

·          Dec 26-30, Youth Christmas Institute (in the Philippines)

·         Save the date, Dec 31, 8:00pm, Covenant Renewal Service

·         Our December serving group will be people whose last names begin with A.

·         Friday Study Fellowship at 7:00pm. Call church office for more details.  

·         Sign-up now for January Worship Leadership: liturgist, greeters, ushers, etc.   

ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS

CHURCH WEEKLY GATHERING SCHEDULE