WORSHIP ORDER
November 30, 2025
1st Sunday of Advent
WELCOME, GREETING, & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Scott Sears
CHORAL PRELUDE
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Acolyte: Beloved Child of God
Cross Bearer: Beloved Child of God
As the Light of Christ passes you, stand as you are able and remain standing through the Congregational Song
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
The Reading of Scripture
Leader 1: Let us listen to the call of God in the Epistle of Paul to the Romans, chapter 13, verses 11 through 14:
“Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake up from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is almost gone, and the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live decently, as in the daytime, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
This is the word of God for the people of God.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.
Lighting the Candle of Hope
(Leader 2 approaches the Advent Wreath.)
Leader 2: The darkness is almost gone. The day is near. God calls us to wake up, to cast off the shadows of the night, and to prepare ourselves for the coming Light. The first candle we light today is the candle of Hope. It is a light that shines in the darkness, a promise that God is faithful to His word.
(Leader 2 lights the first purple candle.)
Leader 1: As we see this first flame, let us pray that the hope of Christ will stir our hearts and move us to action.
Leader 2: We wait in hope for the Word made flesh.
Congregation: Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Leader 1: We wait in hope for the day when Christ will make all things new.
Congregation: Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
Leader 2: We ask God to give us the strength to put on the armor of light and to live as people of the day.
Congregation: May the Hope of Christ empower us all.
Congregation sings verse 1 of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” acapella
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Leader 1 (Prayer): Gracious God, as we begin this season, we thank you for the promise of Jesus Christ, our great hope. Help us to wake up from our spiritual sleep. Let the flame of this candle ignite a fire of hope within us, guiding us to live decent lives, putting on the Lord Jesus Christ in all that we do. Keep us watchful and ready, for your salvation is nearer now than ever before. We pray in the name of the One who is coming. Amen.
Congregation: Amen.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
#213 Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates
CHILDREN’S MOMENTS
Katrina Lee
CHORAL ANTHEM
Every Valley
PASTORAL PRAYER
Pastor Scott
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Isaiah 2:1-5
Erik Legg
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
#206 I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 24:36-44
SERMON
Hope: Our Rapture
Scott Sears
OFFERING AND PASSING THE PEACE
DOXOLOGY
UMH #94
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
#368 My Hope is Built
POSTLUDE
Rhonda Adkins, pianist
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING
Scott Sears
