Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church

11:00 AM Worship                   Second Sunday of Advent                                4 December 2011

 

GATHERING

   O Thou that Tellest (from Messiah)                                                                      G.F. Handel

 

GREETING AND WELCOME                                                                                                      

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP

   We gather in preparation

   for good news is about to be proclaimed.

   We gather in expectation

   for joy is about to explode in our midst.

   We gather in celebration

   for we are those people who have said

      yes to the manger,

      yes to love enfleshed,

      yes to the one incarnate for others,

      yes to the wholeness of God.

   With preparation and in expectation, let us celebrate!

 

*HYMN  UMH 234

   O Come, All Ye Faithful (verses 1, 3, 6)                                                            Adeste Fideles

 

PRAYER  in unison

   Gracious God,

   Your vision of peace and wholeness

      comes to us in sweeping revelations

      and in tiny signs of hope.

   Kindle our hearts that we may be a hopeful people.

   Keep us from growing weary of waiting

      lest we miss the glory of your appearing.

   Even so, come quickly, O God.  Amen.                                                                                

 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

 

 

 

 

FIRST READING

   Isaiah 40:1-11

  

SECOND READING

   Mark 1:1-8

 

   The Word of the Lord.

   Thanks be to God.

 

LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLE

   We light this candle as a symbol of proclamation.

   May the Word sent from God through the prophets

   lead us to the way of salvation.

   O come, O come, Emmanuel!

 

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

 

PASTORAL PRAYER

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER  in unison

    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; and lead us not into

    temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and   

    the glory, forever.  Amen.

 

*THE PEACE

 

OFFERING

   All Glory Be to God on High                                                                             F.W. Zachau

 

*DOXOLOGY  UMH 95

 

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

 

 

 

 

 

 

HANGING OF THE GREENS

 

   CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA

 

   THE GREENS, WREATHS, AND HOLLY

      What Child Is This                                   Kim Viehland, Rebecca Spencer, Rev. Hornyak

 

   THE CHRISTMAS TREE

      Were You There                                       Voice Ensemble

 

   THE POINSETTIAS

      Glad Noel                                                                                              J.F. Knox/M. Wilson

 

      Please bring poinsettias to the altar at this time.

 

   THE BELLS OF CHRISTMAS

 

   THE PARAMENTS AND ADVENT COLORS

      March of Kings                                        Men’s Voice Ensemble

 

   THE NATIVITY

      C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S                                  Children’s Choir

      Away in a Manger                                   David Han, Narrator

 

   THE CANDLES AND LIGHTS

      O Holy Night                                           Rachel Thaw and Gary Burdick

 

   THE CLOSING

 

*HYMN  UMH 211

   O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (verses 1-4)                                                     Veni Emmanuel

 

*BENEDICTION                                                                                                                       

 

*GOING FORTH

   Angels We Have Heard on High                                                                           H. Gehrke

 

*Those who are able are invited to stand.