FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT DECEMBER 3, 2017 Dorchester United Church
Wherever you are, whoever you are, Join us in our Journey!
WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
TO PONDER:
Today is the First Sunday of the Church's liturgical season of Advent. What
does this season mean to you?
MUSIC PRELUDE
HYMN:
"Hope is a Star" V.U. 7
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTSCALL TO WORSHIP
The days grow darker and the shadows of the night grow longer.
The promise of God's light is upon us.
We gather to wait for the sign of the promise.
We gather to begin a journey of hope.
It is a journey that once begun cannot be broken.
God gives us the courage to continue in praise and worship.
AN ADVENT PRAYER V.U. 11 (IN UNISON)
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: Advent 1: HOPE
Come now, O God of hope.
We are Your people.
Pour out Your Spirit on all who long for Your gift of hope. . . .
As we watch and wait for God with us, Emmanuel.
(First Advent Candle is lit)
SUNG RESPONSE
V.U. 34
Come now, O God of hope, we are Your people
Pour out Your Spirit that we may be one body.
HYMN:
"O come, O come, Emmanuel" V.U. 1
MEMORIAL OF UCW GIFTS for Ruth Lewis and Betty Hunter
Lois Scott
ANTHEM
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (IN UNISON)
Merciful God, forgive us for seeking the easy answer, the smooth road
and the quick result. We are spoiled children wanting our way now. We
want a key that will unlock every door, a panacea for all our ills, a
solution to all our problems. We confess that we leave You behind as we
continue our search. For we have traded reality for illusion, vision
for blindness and wisdom for foolishness. Forgive and restore us to
Your way, O God. Amen
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
We have wandered away from God as we follow our wanton desires. We have
searched long and hard and have ended up right where we started. God offers
us a fresh start, a new beginning. Let us live in the freedom of God's
forgiving love.
RESPONSE: V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace
PASTORAL PRAYER
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
HYMN: "
Come, children, join to sing" V.U. 345
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where
many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you
thanks, O God. V.U.552
OFFERTORY PRAYER: Your presence sustains us, O God, even as You walk
with us. You have come among us as those without a home, as children
who have no food, as young people who have too many choices to make, as
men and women in need of hope. We offer these gifts in the name of all
who long for a new day. AMEN
HYMN:
"Lo, He comes with clouds descending V.U. 25
