December 4 Order of Worship

December 4, 2022 – Second Sunday of Advent 

9 a.m. Connect Worship Service 

Rev. Ginny Ellis 

Gathering: “God So Loved” - FPC Praise Band  

Welcome - Rev. Jeanie Barnes

Call to Worship  From “In Search of our Kneeling Places” by Ann Weems  

In each heart lies a Bethlehem, an inn where we must ultimately answer whether there is room or not.  

When we are Bethlehem-bound we experience our own advent in his. 

Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing the Lord has made known to us. 

Let’s go to Bethlehem and find our kneeling places.   

Worship Song: “O Holy Night” - FPC Praise Band 

The Lighting of the Advent Candle - Diedra and Ward Flora  

…Let us pray together:  Great Creator God, may we be open to the spirit of John the Baptist, who proclaimed your coming. Help us to hold fast to the promise of your creative and transforming love even when this world seems a wilderness to us. Help us to prepare your way of peace in this world, so that your glory may be revealed, and all people shall see it together, through Jesus Christ. Amen.     

Passing of the Peace - Rev. Ginny Ellis

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, showing us the way of Peace, let us forgive one another, and find peace together. The Peace of Christ be with you all. / Peace also be with you.

Response: “Soon and Very Soon” (verse #1) - FPC Praise Band      

Moment for All Ages - Ginny Ellis

Worship Song - “Glorious One” - FPC Praise Band 

Minute for Stewardship - Tony McCoy  

Invitation to Offering - Kevin D. Clark

…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication: God of all, our gifts represent what we have and what we are, all of which has come from you. Accept these gifts which we bring today, that, as we bring them in love, so we may respond to the needs of others and extend hospitality to strangers, through Jesus, our friend and our Savior we pray, Amen.        

Offertory Song: ”Christmastime Is Here” - FPC Praise Band  

Prayer for Illumination - Kevin D. Clark 

1st Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10 - Kevin D. Clark                        

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 - Ginny Ellis          

Sermon: “Preparing the Way” - Ginny Ellis

The Lord’s Supper & Lord’s Prayer   

Announcements - Ginny Ellis

Final Song: “O Come All Ye Faithful” - FPC Praise Band