N O V E M B E R 2 9 , 2 0

THE WORD OF ASSURANCE This is good news of great joy, my friends, for each of us: Even now God reaches out to us with mercy that transcends anger, hope that overcomes despair, and life, which triumphs over darkness and chaos. Blessed with joy and hope, transformed by love, we live as an Advent people. We receive in hope the Light of Christ. Amen.

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION FOR ADVENT Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the watching, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, the sighing, … the rejoicing. Speak to us by Your Word in these Advent days, and walk with us until the day of Your coming. Amen.

THE MESSAGE

THE RESPONSE Still, Still, Still Norman Luboff CHANCEL CHOIR

THE BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE MEDERO CARR

WORSHIP RESOURCES C R O S S G A T E S S T A F F

USED BY PERMISSION Sheri Blankenship DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES THE UNITED METHODIST HYMNAL, copyright © 1989, Medero Carr PIANIST The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, Tennessee N O V E M B E R 2 9 , 2 0 2 0 Cameron Cloud DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MINISTRIES CELEBRATING GRACE HYMNAL, copyright © 2010, Faith East MINISTRIES COORDINATOR Celebrating Grace, Inc., Macon, Georgia Meryl Franck INTERIM CHURCH SECRETARY 1 0 : 3 0 A M

Celia Lymberis ORGANIST|ACCOMPANIST THE ABINGDON WORSHIP ANNUAL copyright © 2020, Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tennessee Marisa Prewitt DIRECTOR OF NURSERY MINISTRIES Joseph Wilkinson DIRECTOR OF WORSHIPAND MUSIC

Cover artwork: 18th c. mural, “Nativity, “ by Giovanni Antonio Pelligrini located in the Presbytery of Salesianerkirche in Vienna, Austria

PRELUDE A READING FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHET ISAIAH MEDERO CARR Isaiah 64:1-9

WELCOME LIGHTING OF THE HOPE CANDLE inspired by Isaiah 64:1-9 HANGING OF THE GREEN VIDEO We hardly know how to describe the year we have lived through. We hesitate to reflect on all the mess around us in 2020. All we know is that nothing seems right, nothing seems like it used to be, nothing. We need Advent! † OUR ADVENT CAROL O Come, O Come, Emmanuel 9th Century Latin The prophet Isaiah cried out for us, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come VENI EMMANUEL down … To make your name known … so that nations might tremble at your

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, presence.” So tear through the mess, O Lord, and come down to us again. We long to be your that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. people, a people of hope. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. We light this first candle as a sign of our hope. Hope that you can meet us, even in the mess O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree, an ensign of Thy people be; of our world. Hope that you still see us, though we feel we are lost in the rubble. Let this before Thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on Thy mercy call. light be the guide that brings us to Emmanuel once more. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by Thy justice here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadow put to flight. Creator of the Stars of Night 9th century Latin Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM

Creator of the stars of night, Your people’s everlasting Light, O Christ, Redeemer of us all, we pray You hear us when we call. THE SYMBOLS OF ADVENT When this old world drew on toward night, You came; but not in splendor bright, THE ADVENT WREATH not as a monarch, but the child of Mary, blameless mother mild.

THE EVERGREEN GARLAND AND WREATHS To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One, THE NATIVITY praise, honor, might, and glory be from age to age eternally. Amen.

THE POINSETTIAS

THE TREE OUR PRAYER OF CONFESSION THE CHRISMONS Redeemer God, we praise You for speaking Light into this world. We confess, though, that we live as if the Light has not overcome the darkness. We confess that we often ignore the Savior You sent to be among us and to live in us. OUR ADVENT VERSE Forgive us for not opening our eyes to Jesus always. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Charles Wesley Help us to continually rejoice in the Light, HYFRYDOL so that Your grace and hope can fully illuminate

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; the darkened places of our hearts. from and fears and sins releases us, let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art; Our silent prayers dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.