12/8/19 10:10am Service - 2nd Sunday of Advent

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Today we are blessed to have our youth leading worship and our Children's Christmas Program (complete with some of their own artwork).

Prelude
As the music starts before the service, take some time to center yourself in God's presence and direct your thoughts to him.

Meet & Greet
This is a time to say hi to the folks around you, and to share in God's peace and grace as we gather as a community of faith

Lighting the Advent Candle: Candle of Peace
Symbols of Advent: Chrismon Tree
Every week during Advent we light a different candle and talk about more chrismons and their meaning. As we do, take time to reflect on their meaning and how that impacts our faith.

​First Hymn: #251 Go Tell it On the Mountain

Announcements
Next Sunday our Music Small Group is leading us in service of Lessons and Carols. Make plans to join us for a modern version of this great tradition.
We're ringing the bell for the Salvation Army on Dec. 11. Sign-up in the sanctuary, or online.
We're also collecting donations for Christmas baskets and ​the giving tree

Joys & Concerns
This is a time to share the good things, joys, and celebrations in that have taken place in the last week, as well as the hard things and concerns that we face.

Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Lord's Prayer
Take some time to lift your prayers up to God, especially the joys and concerns that have been stated, or that have been left unstated. After some time for silent prayer, Pastor John will lead in a few words of prayer, and then we'll join together in 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 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.

​Offertory
The ushers will come forward and receive the offering plates. The liturgist will say a prayer as we begin a time to give to God. This isn't just about the money that we put in the plates, but it is about how we give to God out of our love for him.

Doxology
After the offertory has finished, please stand as you are able, and join in giving thanks to God for these offerings. Please join in singing the doxology.

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.

The Christmas Story - Led by our Children and Youth

March to the Manger
Your gifts in this special offering go to support our partner church in Mozambique. If you can't give today you'll have another opportunity on Christmas Eve

Final Hymn: #238 Angels We have Heard on High

​Benediction
Go and tell the Christmas Story, share the Good News of God's redemptive work in our world, even to today and into the future