November 30, 2025
Chiming of the Hour
Welcome
It doesn’t matter whether or not you can have faith;
whether or not you are cynical or despairing,
hope-filled or hope-less:
what matters to God is simply that you are here.
We are entering the time of Advent,
in preparation for Christmas.
Advent reminds us that if God is to be born again
in the most ordinary parts of our world and our lives
that we need prepare for it.
We need to make the space in our lives
where love might be born.
Welcome to this tiny corner of a harsh and dark world.
Together, let us practice being ready
in the faith that Christ will come.
Invocation
God of justice, God of peace, even now you are breaking into our weary world.
Make your presence known to those who wait and watch for you.
Send your Spirit of justice rolling over the earth;
sweep away all war and suffering
so that all of your creation can glorify you in peace—
the kingdom that Jesus promised us come down to earth at last. Amen.
Choral Prelude “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” arr. Clemens
Call to Worship
Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.
During this Advent season, let us learn of God’s ways and walk in God’s paths.
Let us seek the well-being of all creation.
*Hymn No. 104, vs. 1-3 “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”
1 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.
2 Love caused your 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.
3 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.
Narration: Decorating the Sanctuary
Why do we do this? What does it mean? During the Advent season we prepare for the One who has come, whom we expect to come, and who will come again. We prepare our hearts and make room for the Messiah. In the hanging of the greens, we share with Christians throughout the ages the memory and anticipation of Christ’s coming. We decorate our church with the symbols of love, joy, hope, and peace. Why do we do this? To tell the story again and then proclaim: Jesus is born. God is with us!
Hymn No. 105 vs. 1 & 5 “People, Look East”
1 People, look east. The time is near
of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able;
trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Guest, is on the way.
5 Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Narration: The Advent Wreath
(Place the wreath and the candles.)
This simple circle of evergreen branches testifies of the continuation of life and life without end. The four candles encircle the Christ candle to signify God’s Son as the light of the world. The four candles represent the four weeks in Advent. Each Sunday we will light a candle and on Christmas Eve the Christ candle will be lit. With increasing brightness from the candles, we experience the Light of the world and find hope in the coming of Jesus.
Anthem “The Holly and the Ivy” traditional
Lighting of the Advent Candles
In the ancient world, various peoples lit fires to mark the turning of the light into winter’s season and to pray for the return of the light. The church has Christianized that practice in the lighting of the Advent wreath. To us, these candles are signs of the growing light of Christ who is coming again in all fullness into the darkness of our world. Until the dawning of that great day, we watch and wait in the Holy Spirit for Christ’s coming into the darkness of our world, lighting candles of hope, peace, joy, and love, and remembering the promises of God with prayer.
After a greeting in the name of the Lord, the leader says:
Watch and wait for Christ’s coming!
We light candles of hope, peace, joy, and love,
remembering the promises of God with prayer.
On the First Sunday of Advent:
We light this candle in hope.
Light the first candle.
ANTHEM “Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes” Hopson
Sentences of Scripture may be read:
Year A
Romans 13:11–12
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off[a] the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;
The litany concludes with prayer:
God of hope,
out of death you bring life.
Renew us in hope,
so that we may be alert
to the dawning of Christ’s advent among us.
God of promise, God of hope,
into our darkness come.
Narration: The Greens
(Place garlands and boughs as decoration.)
The Advent custom of decorating with evergreen branches comes to us from the peasants of the Middle Ages who believed that preparations should be made for the coming of Jesus. On the first Sunday of Advent, each family would gather evergreens and place them near the hearth in their home. We continue that tradition by hanging the greens in our congregational home, this sanctuary. The evergreen reminds us of God’s abiding love in Jesus Christ and of our eternal relationship with God.
Hymn No. 119, vs. 1 & 3 “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing”
1 Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn king.
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful all ye nations, rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn king!”
3 Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn king!”
Narration: The Wreaths
(Hang wreaths.)
Christmas greens point to deep, rich meanings of the season: laurel and bay symbolize victory and triumph; yew and cypress stand for eternal life; mistletoe symbolizes peace; and the prickly leaves of holly are symbols of the crown of thorns. The circle shape of the wreaths are a Christian symbol of the eternal God and eternal love, without beginning or end.
Hymn No. 87, vs. 1 & 2 “Comfort, Comfort Now My People”
1 “Comfort, comfort now my people;
tell of peace!” So says our God.
“Comfort those who sit in darkness
mourning under sorrow’s load.
To my people now proclaim
that my pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their sins I cover,
and their warfare now is over.”
2 For the herald’s voice is crying
in the desert far and near,
calling us to true repentance,
since the reign of God is here.
O, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way.
Let the valleys rise in meeting
and the hills bow down in greeting.
Narration: The Poinsettias
(Place poinsettias around the room for decoration)
The poinsettia, or “Flower of the Holy Night” as the plant is referred to in Mexico, is the most popular Advent flower. It was discovered growing wild in Mexico and was taken to North America where it was developed into the type of flower seen there today. The star-shaped center of the bloom reminds us of the star that shone on that first Christmas.
Anthem “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Praetorius
Narration: The Créche
(Place the different parts of the manger scene during the reading and hymn.)
Possibly the best-known Christmas decorating tradition is the scene of Bethlehem, where the birth took place. There was a stable filled with animals, shepherds, and angels. Mary and Joseph watched in wonder as visitors came searching for their child, baby Jesus. We set this scene before us during the Advent season as a reminder of God’s gift to us.
Hymn No. 121, vs. 1 & 4 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
1 O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
4 O holy child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us; abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!
Narration: Emmanuel, God with Us
People say that a name is everything. Products are named to make everyone want to try them. Books are named to entice people to read them. A name with a good reputation communicates trustworthiness and quality. So what is God’s child to be named?
He could have been a Moses or a David or an Isaiah. But the name chosen was Emmanuel-God with us. It is a name that comforts in times of need and stress, strengthens in times of challenge and decision, and encourages in moments of weakness and doubt. God with us! Forever. Continually. What a great name for God’s son!
Hymn No. 83, vs. 1 & 2 “Come, Thou Long-expected Jesus”
1 Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us;
let us find our rest in thee.
2 Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer
Christ is coming. He is coming to make all things new.
Eternal God, during this season of Advent, help us prepare Christ’s way, help us center our hearts, minds and prayers on your holy presence in our midst.
God of our salvation, hear our prayers.
As the days grow short and the nights loom long, we praise you for these seasonal reminders that there is time for work and for rest. For those of us who know warm homes and soft places to sleep, we give thanks for these precious gifts. We pray for those who are unhoused and those whose homes are unsafe or financially insecure. May all your children get the rest they need to thrive.
God of our salvation, hear our prayers.
As divisiveness and conflict plague us, and wars rage across the world, Holy God, we focus on the generosity, kindness and care you encourage within us. As we contemplate the vulnerability of Christ, born a fragile in- fant in a violent world, let us drop our facades and the masks of strength we hide behind. May this season of Advent prepare us to celebrate the strength that can be found in weakness and the power held in humility and love.
God of our salvation, hear our prayers.
As your people gather in homes and churches to celebrate this season, let us be reminded of all the reasons we have to rejoice in you. Let us be reminded of your protective presence, of your gentleness and love, of your peace which passes all understanding. Guard our hearts and minds this Advent, Savior God, so we can rejoice over your faithfulness through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God of our salvation, hear our prayers.
As a people of faith, we lift these prayers to you, trusting you hear us and receive us. Finally, hear us now, as we pray the prayer Christ taught us by saying together, “Our Father …”
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. Forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
PASSING OF FELLOWSHIP PADS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
TITHES & OFFERINGS
We are called to participate in God’s abundance through the choices we make with our time, our talents, our emotions and our physical resources. Let us honor God with our offering.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM “Prepare the Way of the Lord” Poorman
*RESPONSE No. 717
“For The Life That You Have Given”
For the life that you have given,
for the love in Christ made known,
with these fruits of time and labor,
with these gifts that are your own:
here we offer, Lord, our praises;
heart and mind and strength we bring;
give us grace to love and serve you,
living what we pray and sing.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Holy God, you are the source of all love, power and justice. Our world is broken, in need of your love, your light. Take these offerings and multiply them so they may bless others. Bless those who give and those who receive, that they may know you better.
*HYMN No. 94 “Now the Heavens Start to Whisper”
1 Now the heavens start to whisper,
as the veil is growing thin.
Earth from slumber wakes to listen
to the stirring, faint within:
seed of promise, deeply planted,
child to spring from Jesse’s stem!
Like the soil beneath the frostline,
hearts grow soft to welcome him.
2 Heavy clouds that block the moonlight
now begin to drift away.
Diamond brilliance through the darkness
shines the hope of coming day.
Christ, the morning star of splendor,
gleams within a world grown dim.
Heaven’s ember fans to fullness;
hearts grow warm to welcome him.
3 Christ, eternal Sun of justice,
Christ, the rose of wisdom’s seed,
come to bless with fire and fragrance
hours of yearning, hurt, and need.
In the lonely, in the stranger,
in the outcast, hid from view:
child who comes to grace the manger,
teach our hearts to welcome you.
*BENEDICTION
Go forth from this place an awakened people, aware of the world’s darkness, yet reaching for the light.
Go forth from this place an expectant people, conscious of judgment in our midst, yet welcoming God’s new order and justice.
Go forth from this place a serving people, sensing anew the pain so many bear, yet confident God will bring healing, even though you.
May the God of peace be with us all, this season and forever.
*POSTLUDE