11:00 a.m. November 30, 2003
Assemble in God’s Name
Organ Prelude:
Choral Introit:
s Hymnbook: "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"…#147
s Passing the Peace
Concerns of the Church
Call to Worship (Jeremiah 3:14-15).
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And with you also.
Leader: The days are surely coming, says the LORD,
People: when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
Leader: In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David;
People: and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
Lighting of the Advent Candle
Prayer of Confession (in unison)
God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule.
We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment.
We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace.
In your mercy , forgive us.
Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world.
In his name, we pray. Amen.
Declaration of Forgiveness (Psalm 103:8,10-12)
Leader: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
People: For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
s Gloria Patri #546
s Stewardship Prayer
Presentation of Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
s Doxology #544
Children's Sermon: “Advent”
Mark 1:1
Dismissal to Children’s Church (5 and Under)
s First Reading: Psalm 25:1-10
s Hymnbook: " "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" #151
Second Reading: Luke 21:25-36
Anthem:
Sermon: "Return of the King"
Go in God’s Name
s The Apostles' Creed
s Prayer of Thanksgiving
s The Lord's Prayer
s Hymnbook: "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night”…#149
s Charge and Blessing
Postlude:
Welcome on this first Sunday in Advent! As we prepare ourselves spiritually to celebrate again the coming of our Lord, let us affirm the joy Christ brought to the world. May such joy live within us as we worship the Lord.
Western York County ARPs
Tonight, at 6:00 p.m., there will be a meeting for worship and praise of all Western York County ARPs. The meeting is at Smyrna ARP Church. The speaker will be Dr. Dwight Person, former pastor of Chester ARP Church and former moderator of Synod. Everyone is asked to bring light refreshments.
There will be a Congregational Meeting next Sabbath, December 7. The purpose of this meeting is to elect congregational officers and approve a budget for 2003.
The WOC has decided not to have individual poinsettias this year but to have one large arrangement. If you would like to make a special offering in honor or memory of someone, please give your check to Frances Nivens and put for whom it is given on the sheet in the narthex of the church. We will have a special insert with this information in the bulletin the Sabbath before Christmas. The money goes to the General Fund.
We will decorate the church for Christmas on Wednesday, December 3, following the Christmas parade. Come and watch the parade from the church steps, help decorate the church, and enjoy fellowship, and a hotdog supper.
New Deacons will be ordained and installed on December 14.
Frances Nivens is in the hospital following surgery. Please remember Frances and all our sick and shut-ins in your prayers.
We had a great Community Thanksgiving Service at our Church last Sabbath evening. We had a big crowd, good preaching, and good singing. We thank God for all of it. We also thank all the women of the church who worked so hard to prepare all that food.
Dear Dr. Grant and Church Members,
My family and I would like to thank you for the memorials, prayers, and concerns since our mother’s death. Your kindness has been greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Beth Pratt and the Winslow Leake Family
If you have questions or comments, email Tony Grant
Copyright 2000 York Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Last modified 01/12/04