Marshall Presbyterian Church PC-USA

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Bulletin for December 13, 2020

Marshall Presbyterian Church

December 13, 2020; 3^rd Sunday of Advent

Carol Ann West, Pianist

Rev. Melissa Upchurch, Pastor

ASSEMBLING IN GOD’S NAME

wELCOME

* CALL TO WORSHIP

One: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

All: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our

tongue with shouts of joy;

One: Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done

great things for them.”

All: The Lord has done great things for us,

and we rejoiced.

One: Restore our fortunes, O Lord. May those who sow

in tears reap with shouts of joy.

All: Those who go out weeping, come home with

shouts of joy.

* Opening Prayer

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE - JOY (See handout)

* HYMN Carol Ann’s Choice

CALL TO CONFESSION

UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O God, you have called us to participate in your saving work of rebuilding and repairing your creation. Yet we know we have fallen short of that calling. Indeed, we have contributed to the devastation of our world. We confess our sin, O God…silent prayers of confession…Renew us and help us be discerning and ready partners in your cosmic work of restoration. Amen.

* ASSURANCE OF PARDON

One: God’s mercy abounds. God’s Advent grace goes before us, after us, through us — sometimes unbeknownst to us, restoring us and empowering us for participation in God’s own work in the world. Friends, hear and believe the good news of the gospel: we are forgiven and restored, set on right paths of justice and peace.

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 61:1-4, 8-11 p. 641

Psalm Psalm 126 p. 537

Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 See bulletin

Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 p. 922

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 (Apostles’ Creed - Traditional version)

We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed and blessing children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and

calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition, Jesus was

crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving

his life for the sins of the world. God raised this Jesus

from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the

power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life

eternal.

* HYMN Carol Ann’s Choice

SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS (See bulletin insert)

Prayers of the People and Lord’s prayer (The

Lord’s Prayer is located at the bottom of page 35 in the

purple hymnal)

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

GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME

* HYMN Carol Ann’s Choice

Sunday, December 6, 2020

How to worship with MPC Sunday December 6 (message 1 of 3)

This second Sunday of Advent will also be Communion Sunday. We will have the service in the sanctuary and on Zoom.

If you are Zooming and printed the "One Candle-Advent Liturgy for 2020" last week, please bring that to your computer/device, along with your candle and lighter. Scroll down 2 messages to find the liturgy.

This week's bulletin is in the next message. Also, please have juice or wine and bread or cracker with you.....your computer area will be crowded this Sunday!!

Those that attend Sunday's Worship in the Sanctuary, we will have a brief "Angel Tree Gift Wrapping Party" afterwards. Hope you can stay!!

See you in the Sanctuary or on Zoom!!

Click here to join Church on Zoom

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

The bulletin is below Click here to join zoom

Marshall Presbyterian Church

December 6, 2020, 2^nd 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.

Advent Candle Litany for 2020 (message 3 of 3 for December 6)

One Candle

An advent liturgy for 2020 by Rev. Karen Ware Jackson

Light one candle for Hope.

Because the world is broken, and the wait is long but hope just won’t let go.

Hope holds space for all our longings and lingers on the edge of harsh reality like the dawn gently awakening the sky.

“Keep awake,” she whispers, “for the world is being made new.”