(This service was recorded earlier on November 02 in the 'empty' sanctuary.)

Sunday, December 6, 2020 The Second Sunday in Advent

Sicilienne by D. G. Turk

Daniel Gottlob Turk (1750 - 1813)

As you can hear, the organ is now funcioning, but not, at this point,
at "full strength."
Should be fully back by next service.

Welcome & Announcements

December 06, 1989 Plaque on the exterior wall of École Polytechnique commemorating the victims of the massacre. (Click to enlarge)

Come and Worship Gathering Prayer

There's a Voice in the Wilderness There's a voice in the wilderness crying, A call from the ways untrod: Prepare in the desert a highway, A highway for our God! The valleys shall be exalted, The lofty hills brought low; Make straight all the crooked places Where God, our God, may go!

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, Get thee up to the heights and sing! Proclaim to a desolate people The coming of their King. Like the flowers of the field they perish, Like grass our works decay; The power and pomp of nations Shall pass, like a dream, away.

But the word of our God endureth Whose arm is ever strong; God stands in the midst of nations, And soon will right the wrong. God shall feed the flock like a shepherd, The lambs so gently hold; To pastures of peace will lead them, And bring them safe to fold. There's a voice in the wilderness crying, a call from the ways untrod: Prepare in the desert a highway, A highway for our God! The valleys shall be exalted, The lofty hills brought low; Make straight all the crooked places Where God, our God, may go!

The second Advent Candle is for peace...

A Candle is Burning (VU 6, vs 2) 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.

-- Scripture --

Isaiah 40:1-11 The King James text is given HERE

John 1:6-8 and 19-28 The spoken text: HERE

Herald! Sound the note of gladness! Tell the news that Christ is here; Make a pathway through the desert For the one who brings God near. Sound the trumpet! Tell the message! Christ the Saving One has come! Herald! Sound the note of judgement, Warning us of right and wrong, Turning us from sin and sadness, Till once more we sing the song. Sound the trumpet! Tell the message! Christ the Saving One has come!

Herald! Sound the Note of Gladness (VU 28)

Herald! Sound the note of pardon! Those repenting are forgiven; God receives these wayward children, And to all new life is given. Sound the trumpet! Tell the message! Christ the Saving One has come! Herald! Sound the note of triumph! Christ has come to share our life, Bringing God's own love and power, Granting victory in our strife. Sound the trumpet! Tell the message! Christ the Saving One has come!

The sermon and ...

God's M. O.

Anthem: The Lord's Prayer (Sister Janet Mead Bowak) (Choir on November 25, 2012.)

Offering & Dedication Grant us, God, the grace of giving, With a spirit large and free, That ourselves and all our living We may offer faithfully. Prayers of the People

On Jordan's Bank On Jordan's Bank, the Baptist's cry Announces that the Lamb is nigh; Awake and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings of the King of Kings. Then cleansed he every life from sin; Make straight the way for God within; And let each heart prepare a home Where such a mighty guest may come.

In you, we find abundant life, Our refuge in the midst of strife; Without your grace we waste away, Like flowers that wither and decay. Stretch forth your hand, our health restore, And help us rise to fall no more. O let your face upon us shine, And fill the world with love divine.

All praise to you, eternal Son, Whose advent has our freedom won; And praise to God whom we adore, With Holy Spirit evermore.

Commissioning & Benediction

People Look East (VU 20, verse 3) Birds, though you long have ceased to build, Guard the nest that must be filled; Even the hour when wings are frozen God for fledging time has chose. People, look east and sing today: Peace the bird is on the way.

Postlude The Holly and the Ivy/ O Christmas Tree (Arr'd by Melody Bober)

Ah, the time, once again has come.
For a few seasonal hymns as the coffee drips...
And the angels sing...

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Infant Holy, infant lowly For his bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ the babe is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, Noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is born for all. Christ the babe is born for all!

What Child is This What child is this, who laid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary!

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