Second Sunday of Advent

December 10, 2023 | 10:00am

Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music

Thought for Worship: “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.  The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me.”   | Ebenezer Scrooge, in Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

 GATHERING

Welcome

Prelude Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord | Schwartz

Call to Worship

Votum

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Amen

Salutation

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Amen.

Advent Candle of Peace Lighting                               

Choir: Why do I have so many things?

  Lay Reader and Clergy: Where did it all come from?

    All: And I don’t know where to put it all.

Light the Candle of Peace

Matthew 6:19-21

”Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them. Instead, collect treasures for  yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”                     

 Congregation: I have so much more than things.

 Choir, Children & Youth: I have talents and time to share with everyone.

 All: We can give so much more by spending less.

Let us pray:

Prince of peace, we fill our lives with anxiety so that we are always in battle. Come among us today, remind us of what is necessary, and give us grateful hearts.  Amen.

*Hymn of Praise: Angels We Have Heard on High

Call to Confession

Prayer of Confession 

Eternal God, our judge and redeemer,
we confess that we have tried to hide from you,
for we have done wrong.
We have lived for ourselves,
and apart from you.
We have turned from our neighbors,
and refused to bear the burdens of others.
We have ignored the pain of the world,
and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed.
In your great mercy forgive our sins and free us from selfishness,
that we may choose your will
and obey your commandments; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Silent Confession

Assurance of Pardon

 The Law of God:

*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  Songs of the Angels |  arr. Hayes    

Prayer for Illumination

Speak to us, Lord.  Speak to us in the waiting, the watching, the  hoping, the longing, the sorrow, the sighing, the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word in these Advent days, and walk with us until the day of your   coming.   Amen.                                                                                               written by Rev. Andy James

 First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

This is the Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Children’s Sermon

Hymn: Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers                 

Second Reading: Mark 1:1-8

Sermon:    “Christmas Present (Spend Less/Give More)” | Rev. Campbell

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 In the Bleak Midwinter  | Darke

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  

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)

In Jesus’ Name, we pray as you taught us…

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: My Soul Cries Out  With a Joyful Shout                                                                                                                               

Benediction

Postlude Sing We Now of Christmas  | arr. Hayes

 

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, December 10 -  eggs

Sunday, December 17 - gallon(s) whole milk

Sunday, December 31 -  eggs

 


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


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Third Sunday of Advent

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First Sunday of Advent