South Church in Andover
United Church of Christ

THE WORSHIP OF GOD
ORDER FOR THE SERVICE

December 4, 2005

Let the prelude be a curtain of music which brings us into the sanctuary to worship God.
 Let necessary conversation be gentle and the preparation we make together be prayerful.

PRELUDE    Little Partita for Advent  J. Woodman

WELCOME

Introduction of Visitors and Guests
Announcements
Exchange of Peace

The peace of Jesus Christ be with you.

And also with you.

INTROIT                   Advent Joy            Hal H. Hopson
 Carol Choir

CALL TO WORSHIP

Gather in the house of worship on this second Sunday of Advent.

We come to praise the God of all creation.

Come to hear the ancient promises and future hopes.

We come with minds open and hearts eager.

Come to the table of God's grace.

Glory be to God who feeds us, to Christ who welcomes us,
 and to the Holy Spirit who empowers us.

Praise and glory to God who was and is and shall be forever.

Amen.

* HYMN        O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?      # 11 red

Unison PRAYER                   

Eternal God you are our refuge,
and underneath are your everlasting arms.
In your presence there is life.
Loving water springs up, and deserts blossom where you pass.
In You there is a hope that none can take away.
Forgive our sins and cleanse our hearts in this Advent season,

that we may prepare in them a place
fit for the birth of your holy love in Jesus.

Make us empty enough to receive,
that we may be renewed in spirit and truth.  Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Solo: Mark Van Doren

LOVE

Love is a flame that burns in our heart.
Jesus has come and will never depart.

When God is a child, there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,

and none shall be afraid.

Hope - LOVE - Joy - Peace

Jonathan Drury, Jackie Guy Sally Holm, Penelope Jones,
Connie Mazelsky, Mark Rauseo

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

Communion Prayer

God be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to God most high.

Breaking the Bread and Pouring the Cup

Alleluia! Christ our Passover is offered for us.

Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!

Sharing the Elements

Prayer of Thanksgiving           (unison)

Almighty God, thank you for refreshing our souls at Your table by granting us the living presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith. Increase our love for one another.
Send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

* HYMN  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel    # 110 blue

Children in grades K-High School may move to their church school classrooms. Parents of children up to age 7, please go to your child's classroom after worship.

SCRIPTURE       Isaiah 40: 1 - 11      (in bulletin)
                   Mark 1: 1 - 8

SERMON       Comfort and Strength          Dr. Mutti

Pastoral prayer AND THE LORD’S PRAYER   (debts/debtors)

OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS IN THANKSGIVING

Invitation
Offertory Anthem  Let All Mortal Flesh

Congregation join in on Verse 4

At his feet the six-winged Seraph;
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the Presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord most high!

* Doxology       

* Dedication Prayer        

* BENEDICTION

*     RESPONSE   Go Now In Peace     Don Besig

Go now in peace.  Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
   Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
   Know God will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
   God will be there watching from above.
   Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.

 

POSTLUDE     Toccata on ‘Veni Emmanuel’    A. Carter

*    Those who are able may stand.

Participating Today:
Greeters: Richard and Cynthia Brown with Sarah and Annie
Acolytes: Jeffrey Hanson and Amber Collins
Youth: Sarah Hamilton
Deacon: Kathi Levine
Usher Supervisor: Mike Massey

The flowers today are given in loving memory of
Dr. and Mrs. Percy J. Look and their son, Robert E. Look
and his wife, Faith M. Look, by their family.

 

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