PRELUDE
“Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Michael Praetorius; Prelude by Johannes Brahms; Edited by Diane Bish
“Variation on In dulce jubilo” German: 14th Century; Arr. Theodore Beck
GREETINGS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS The Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
AN ACT OF PRAISE
INTROIT
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Charles Wesley
*WESTMINSTER CHIMES
*LIGHTING THE SECOND CANDLE AND INVITATION TO WORSHIP
In the midst of war and rumors of war,
We cling to God’s promise of peace.
We remember these words of the prophet:
“The tender mercies of God, like the dawn from on high, will break upon us to guide our feet in the way of peace.”
In this season when the world can be too much with us,
We remind each other what peace looks like:
Every valley shall be filled,
And every mountain and valley laid low,
The crooked made straight,
And the rough places made smooth.
On this second Sunday of Advent, we light these candles as a sign of our commitment to the way of peace.
(the candles are lit)
Let us worship God.
*HYMN #104
“O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN
O Lord, how shall I meet you, how welcome you aright?
Your people long to greet you, my hope, my heart’s delight!
O kindle, Lord most holy, a lamp within my breast,
To do in spirit lowly all that may please you best.
Love caused you incarnation; love brought you down to me;
Your thirst for my salvation procured my liberty.
O love beyond all telling, that led you to embrace
In love, all loves excelling, our lost and fallen race.
You come, O Lord, with gladness, in mercy and goodwill,
To bring an end to sadness and bid our fears be still.
In patient expectation we live for that great day
When your renewed creation your glory shall display.
*INVITATION TO CONFESSION The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Recognizing our need for true peace, both with others and within our own selves,
let us confess those ways we have distanced ourselves from God. Let us pray, first in silent prayer.
*SILENT PRAYER
*UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God,
how often we settle for a “glittery greeting card” kind of peace,
or the worn-out kind of peace that lingers
when all the wrapping paper has been recycled
and the goodbyes have been said.
But in our hearts, we long for something more,
a strong and lasting peace:
when families are reconciled, when the world’s divisions are healed,
and human dignity is restored to all.
We dream of a peace to come
when all people will love mercy, seek justice,
and walk humbly with you each day.
Heavenly One, forgive our tendency
to make this season about shopping for gifts
rather than the priceless gifts of grace, peace, and reconciliation
you have already provided.
In your mercy, hear our prayers. Amen.
*ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
The peace of Christ surpasses our understanding; receive it, celebrate it, and live into it with joy! Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace.
Alleluia! Amen.
*THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
AN ACT OF PROCLAMATION
THE SCRIPTURE READING The Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Luke 1:46-55
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
MOMENTS WITH CHILDREN The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
THE SERMON IN SONG
“Magnificat” Francesco Durante (1684-1755)
String Quartet: Laura E. Jáuregui, violin; Wendy Tangen-Foster, violin; Sarah Hart, viola; Elise Massicotte, cello
This short setting of the “Canticle of Mary” has been misattributed for over 100 years to Giovanni Pergolesi, but the manuscript with Durante’s signature upon it lies in Naples. He was highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and even at the end of the 19th century he was still described in musical literature as “one of the greatest Italian church composers and composition teachers of all time.”
I. Magnificat: Choir
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden;
for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty has done great things to me; and holy is His name.
II. Et Misericordia: Soprano, Contralto and Choir: Christina Mata and Grace Skinner, soloists
And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
III. Deposuit Potentes: Choir
He has put down the mighty from their seats and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent empty away.
IV. Suscepit Israel: Tenor and Bass Duet; Zach Stoddard and Geoff Ereth, soloists
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy.
V. Sicut Locutus Est: Choir
As it was spoken to our fathers, to Abraham and his seed forever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
VI. Sicut Erat in Principio: Choir
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end, Amen.
A MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION
AN ACT OF RESPONSE
SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS The Rev. Gregg Neel
(At the conclusion of spoken joys, let us pray together, “Thanks be to you, O God.”
For concerns, let us make them our own by praying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”)
PASTORAL PRAYER AND 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 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.
MINUTE FOR MISSION Jack Robinson
Gifts that Build, Habitat for Humanity
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
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OFFERTORY ANTHEM
“E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come ” Paul Manz
Peace be to you and grace from Him who freed us from our sins,
Who loved us all and shed his blood that we might saved be.
Sing Holy, Holy to our Lord, The Lord, Almighty God,
Who was and is and is to come, Sing Holy, Holy Lord!
Rejoice in heaven all ye that dwell therein,
Rejoice on earth, ye saints below.
For Christ is coming, is coming soon, For Christ is coming soon!
E’en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come, and night shall be no more,
They need no light nor lamp nor sun,
For Christ will be their All!
*DOXOLOGY – Hymn #606
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. Amen.
-OR-
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*HYMN #100 “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout” STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN
My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
And my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
So from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
You will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on the stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
There are tables spread; every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
Till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring. Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the world is about to turn.
*BENEDICTION The. Rev. Gregg Neel
*POSTLUDE “Rhapsody on Sussex Carol” Norberto Guinaldo