December 1 - 9 AM Connect Service
December 1, 2024 – 9 a.m. Connect Worship Service
First Sunday of Advent / Lord’s Supper
Rev. Ginny Ellis
Gathering and Welcome - Kevin Clark
1st Gathering Song: “Come, Now Is The Time To Worship” - FPC Praise Band
2nd Gathering Song: “Firm Foundation (He Won't)” - FPC Praise Band
Call to Worship - Bill Holden
As we come to worship at Advent, we approach the window of our hope.
To open the Advent window is to look for the Light of the World,
The Light of Expectation, when the Messiah will come with justice for all the earth.
We come to let light and expectation fill us with God’s gift of hope.
The Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope - Bill Holden & grandson Will
The Advent Reading: Isaiah 9:2-3
The First Candle Is Lit
Unison Prayer:
O God, as we come in Advent, we come waiting for the Messiah you have promised. We come with hope. May your coming be soon. Amen.
Passing of the Peace - Bill Holden
Friends, the peace of the coming Christ be with you. And also with you.
Response: “We Believe” - FPC Praise Band
Moment for All Ages: Opening the Advent Calendar Window: Reflections on Hope - Ginny Ellis
Worship Song: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Soothe Our Weary Souls)” - FPC Praise Band
Invitation to Offering - Diedra Flora
…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication:
O God, as we come to receive your gifts of bread and cup, we bring gifts for the church to use in your name. These gifts came from your own hand, and we return them to you. Use them, even as you use us, to accomplish your purposes in Jesus Christ, the Head of the church and the Lord of our lives, for we are yours, we ourselves along with all we have. Amen.
Offertory Song: “Christmas Time Is Here” - FPC Praise Band
Prayer for Illumination - Diedra Flora
First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16 - Diedra Flora
Sermon Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 - Ginny Ellis
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Sermon: “Night and Day” - Ginny Ellis
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper - Ginny Ellis
Invitation
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Prayer of Consecration and Lord’s Prayer
The Words of Institution
The Communion of the People
Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison)
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Ginny Ellis
Final Song: “The First Nowell” - FPC Praise Band
Benediction - Ginny Ellis
Praise Band tag
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Announcements:
Today, December 1
A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service
Monday, December 2
Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m. via Zoom
Faith & Fiction, 4 p.m., Room N-123
Tuesday, December 3
Ladies’ Advent Bible Study, 9 a.m., Youth Center
Wednesday, December 4
Praise Band Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center
Friday, December 6
Men's Bible Study, 8 a.m., Room N-123
Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom
Many Moods of Christmas benefit concert, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
Sunday, December 8
Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203
Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center
Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-5th), 10 a.m., Room S-202
Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel
Power Hour class, 10 a.m., Youth Center
“Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123
Men’s Meal Ministry, 1:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall kitchen
Upcoming Events:
Monday, December 9, 7 p.m., stated Session meeting
Wednesday, December 11, 5:30 p.m., Wednesday Night Dinner: Christmas Edition!
Tuesday, December 24, 4 p.m., Christmas Eve family service; 7 p.m., Christmas Eve candlelight service