First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2022 | 10:00am
Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: Hope is the thing with feathers - that perches in the soul - and sings the tune without the words - and never stops at all. | Emily Dickinson
GATHERING
Prelude: People, Look East | arr. Davenport
Introit: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence | French Carol
Welcome
Call to Worship
Votum
Our Help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you.
And also with you!
Let us go into the house of the Lord!
Let us meet God with joy!
God builds us up like a great city.
May peace be within our walls.
Let us seek the goodness of God;
let us go into the house of the Lord!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: Sleepers Awake! A Voice Astounds Us
Lighting of the Hope Candle
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
O God,
we are steeped in a world of violence.
War is one of the first things we learn,
and we let it work its way into our lives.
Your promises of peace sound like impossible dreams,
and we become accustomed to cruelty.
Forgive us. Wrest our weapons from our hands,
and show us how beautiful life can be
when you forge them into instruments of peace.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Beloved, know this:
the God of Presence,
the God of Transformation,
the God of Peace,
hears our prayers
and gives us power to love.
Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Proverbs 3:5-6
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem Savior of the Nations Come | arr. Mataranglo
Children’s Message
Prayer for Illumination
Let the words of your servants mouth,
and the meditations of all of our hearts
be acceptable and pleasing you,
O God our rock and our redeemer.
Amen.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 24:36-44
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
Second Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Prophetic Preparation: Hope” | Pastor Alex
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering: Te Deum | Rutter
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Gathered here, in the house of the Lord, let us pray for the coming of Christ’s realm. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for your church to be filled with hope. . . Bring hope, O God, to all believers; show us how to honor and serve you as members of Christ’s body. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray your world would be filled with hope . . . Bring hope, O God, to all the world; bind us more firmly together in the pursuit of the common good. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray this community would be filled with hope . . . Bring hope, O God, to our town; make us attentive to the needs of our neighbors and protect all who are in danger. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray our loved ones would be filled with hope . . . Bring hope, O God, to family and friends; heal those who are sick, help those who suffer, and give hope to those who mourn. (names read) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bring hope, O God, to the world you have made: and the highest and holiest of hopes: The promise of new creation. through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is coming in glory to reign.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers
Benediction
Postlude: Joy to the World |arr. Lanz
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, November 27– eggs
Sunday, December 4 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, December 11– eggs
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED