Sunday, December 6, 2020

December 6 Zoom link and bulletin (message 2 of 3)

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Marshall Presbyterian Church

December 6, 2020, 2nd Sunday of Advent

Carol Ann West, Pianist    Rev. Melissa Upchurch, Pastor

ASSEMBLING IN GOD’S NAME

 

wELCOME

* CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 85)

One: Let us hear what the Lord God says, because God speaks peace to the church.

All:    God’s salvation is very close to those who honor the Holy One, so that God’s glory can live in our land.

One: Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.

All:    Righteousness walks before God, making a road for God’s steps.

 

* Opening Prayer

 

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE – PEACE (See handout)

 

* HYMN       Red Hymnal #38       Ye Servants of God (Spoken)

 

CALL TO CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O God, we confess that far too often we find ourselves stuck, overwhelmed or aimless, trapped by fears and anxieties that paralyze us, constraining our actions.  Simple acts of compassion – of connection with others – are enormously difficult.  And sometimes anger, even rage, takes us hostage, and we treat others as enemies, failing to discern your beloved image in them. Free us from fear and anger so that we can love without restraint – so that we may be compassionate, as you are compassionate, because we are your children …silent prayers of confession…  Amen.

 

* ASSURANCE OF PARDON

 

One: Friends, hear the good news of the gosp el: God’s grace is stronger than any anger and fear that may hold us in their grip. God’s grace liberates us, freeing us to live in love and compassion.  Thanks be to God who in Christ empowers us to live fully and freely.

All:   Thanks be to God.  Amen!

 

* Gloria Patri

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.

 

* PASSING THE PEACE

 

Special MUSIC

 

HEARING AND RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

 

prayer for illumination

THE Scriptures

Old Testament:     Isaiah 40:1-11    p. 619

Epistle:                   2 Peter 3:8-15a  See bulletin

Gospel:                   Mark 1:1-8          p. 867

 

One: The Word of God for the people of God!

All:   Thanks be to God!

 

TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES

Message                                                       Rev. Melissa Upchurch

 

* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Nicene Creed - Ecumenical version)

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of

one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

 

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.  For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.  On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated on the right hand of the Father.  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.  We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.  We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.  We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

 

* HYMN    Red Hymnal #270   Joy to The World! (Read)

 

SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS            (See bulletin insert)

Prayers of the People

 

Sharing the Gifts of God 

  Offertory

*Doxology (ca. 1500s)

  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;

  Praise him all creatures here below;

  Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

  Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

 

*Prayer of dedication And thanksgiving

O God, we offer our gifts to you that may they be used to further the promise of hope, peace, love, and justice in our community and in our world.  Empower us to follow these gifts into our community and world so that they, and we, may become bearers of peace, love and justice on the earth. Amen.

 

 

 

THE EUCHARIST

 

Invitation to the Lord’s Table

One:  Now, in this holy season of Advent,
           God comes to be with you.

All:      God comes to be with you as well.

One:    As we begin our journey to Bethlehem,

let us open our hearts to God.

All:      For God will fill them with strength

and courage for the journey.

One:    Let us join our voices in singing praise to God.

All:      We will lift glad songs of joy to the One

who is coming to us!

 

Great Prayer of Thanksgiving and Lord’s Prayer

The minister continues:  When you were tired of waiting…

we praise you today:

 

Holy, holy, holy are you, God who comes to us.

All creation gives thanks to you, always.

Glory to you in the highest!

 

Blessed is the One who gathers us to you.

Glory to you in the highest!

 

The minister continues:  In your holiness, you

could have stood apart from us…we proclaim

that mystery which is our faith:

 

Christ died, giving his life as he called to you;

Christ was raised, defeating our enemy - death;

Christ will come, to gather us unto him from

every time and place.

 

The minister continues… We are all your people…

With confidence we pray as Christ taught us to pray:

 

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, and the power, and the glory forever.  Amen.

 

Words of Institution

 

Sharing the Bread and Cup

 

GOING FORTH FROM TABLE TO WORLD

 

One: We do not know when Christ will return,

All:   so we will wait, and in the waiting we will share hope with those we encounter.

One: We do not know what the coming days will bring,

All:   but we will be alert, noticing all those who need the help we can provide.

One: We do not know the opportunities we will be given,

All:   but we will keep our eyes open, so we can welcome each person as if they are the Christ.  Amen.

 

 

* HYMN    Red Hymnal #271   Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You (Read)

*INVITATION

*CHARGE

*BENEDICTION

 

* = Please rise in body or in spirit.