First Sunday in Advent

November 30, 2025

The Gift of Hope

Prelude:                                        

Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

16th century German carol; Arranged by Daniel Burton

Rebecca Scherschell, harp; David Moldenhauer, organ

Music: 16th Century German Carol

Arranged by Daniel Burton

© 1998 Jubal Press

Call to Worship 

God of Promise, in this season as the days grow shorter and the shadows lengthen,

we gather in eager expectation for the Light of the World to dawn.

Help us, God, to lay aside all the works of night and even our cynicism as we enter this sacred season.

During this time of worship, send your Spirit to empower us to live in the light of hope.

In the Name of the One who is coming to bring us hope, rise as you are able and sing!

**Processional Hymn

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

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.

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of ev’ry nation, joy of ev’ry longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver, born a child to whom we sing,

Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious realm to bring.

By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;

By thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.

Finish then thy new creation, pure and spotless let us be.

Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee.

Changed from glory into glory ‘til in heaven we take our place.

‘Til we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.

Words: Charles Wesley

Music: Rowland H. Prichard, 1830

Welcome and Life of the Church

**Sharing of the Peace

The Candle of Hope

Call to Advent

O Come, Emmanuel

Arranged by Mark Hayes

Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

Words and Music: Mark Hayes from Child of Peace

© 2004 Hal Leonard Corporation

Andria: As our nights grow longer and our days grow shorter, we look on these earthly signs—candles and green branches—and remember God’s promise to the world: Christ, our Light and our Hope will come.

Jeremy: Hear the words of the prophet Isaiah:

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. On those who lived in a land of darkness a light has dawned. You have increased their joy and given them gladness. They rejoice in your presence as those who rejoice at harvest.

Neil: Let us pray:

Thank you, God, for the hope you give us. We ask you to fill us with your presence as we wait in hope. Help us this day and every day to worship you, to listen to your Word, and to do your will by sharing your hope with our world. We ask this in the name of the Child of Hope, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.

Andria: Today we light the candle of Hope—the Hope that Christ brings.

Gradual

Shine On Us

Lord, let the light, light of your hope, shine on us.

Lord, let the light, light of your hope, shine on us.

That all may be saved, that all may have life;

To find the way in the darkest night,

Let your hope shine on us.

**Lord, let the light, light of your Word, shine on us.

Lord, let the light, light of your Word, shine on us.

That all may be saved, that all may have life;

To find the way in the darkest night,

Let your Word shine on us.

Let your Word shine on us.

Words and Music: Michael W. Smith and Deborah D. Smith

© 1996 O’Ryan Music

**Gospel Lesson: John 3:16-17

One: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

All: Glory to you, O God.

For God so loved the world as to give the Only Begotten One, that whoever believes may not perish but have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Chosen One into the world to condemn the world, but that through this One the world might be saved.

One: This is the Gospel of Hope.

All: Praise to you, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.

**Gloria Advent

Gloria

Gloria in excelsis

Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Words and Music: French Carol

Sermon

The Gift of Hope

Offering Call       

Offertory

Advent Cry

Words and Music by Joseph M. Martin

Joe Bennett, soloist

Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

Veni, veni, Redemptor. Veni, veni, Redemptor.

Hope will come on the wings of a promise.

Peace will come like the morning’s first call.

Joy will come on the winds of the Spirit.

Love will come, Love will come.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Hope will come on the wings of the angels.

Peace will come like a song in the night.

Joy will blossom like roses in springtime.

 Love will come, Love will come.

Come, Lord Jesus, come.

Veni, veni, Redemptor. Veni, veni, Redemptor.

Come, Lord Jesus, come. O come.

Words and Music by Joseph M. Martin

© 2000 Malcomb Music/Shawnee Press, Inc.

Great Thanksgiving for Advent

Sursum Corda

God be with you.

And also with you.

Open your hearts.

We open our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Let us give thanks and praise to the God of Hope.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Acclamation, thanksgiving, and songs of joy are 

the gifts we offer to you, God of all the ages.

You spoke, and stars danced in the sky;

You whispered, and snow fell gently in the night;

You sang, and the Spirit breathed life into us, 

bringing peace to all creation.

Since peace was your hope for us, and 

salvation is your steadfast gift, you sent your Child, 

Jesus, in the silence of a stable. 

And so, with the angels of Bethlehem’s skies, and 

all those who sing of your steadfast love in every time 

and place, we proclaim your glory, and join in the 

unending hymn:

Sanctus

Holy, holy, God, you are holy. Ruler of the sea and sky.

Angel hosts above adore you. Earth sings out its endless cry:

“Hail, hosanna in the highest!”

“Peace on earth,”

the heavens reply.

Words adapted from the Liturgy by David Moldenhauer

Music: French Carol, 17th Century

Words of Institution

Your name is holy, God of Creation, and blessed is 

Jesus Christ, Your Child, our Savior.

On the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took 

bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to the 

disciples, saying: “Take and eat. This is my body, 

which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Again, after supper, Jesus took the cup, gave 

thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This is my 

life poured out for you and for many for the 

forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.”

With this bread and cup we remember your Word 

dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. 

We remember our new birth in Christ’s death and 

resurrection, and offer ourselves in praise and 

thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union 

with Christ’s offering to us. 

Prayer of Consecration

Let us pray. Holy God, send your Spirit to move 

over your people, filling this bread and cup with your 

presence. May the bread we break and share become 

the healing we need and the hope we carry to a 

broken world. May the cup we bless be the peace for 

which we have yearned, and the joy we can offer to 

everyone we meet.

For all praise and glory are yours, Holy One of 

Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, 

one God, now and forever. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

As the lay ministers of worship come forward to 

prepare a place for you, I remind you that this table 

belongs to God and has been set for you, whoever you 

are and whatever you believe. 

At the ushers’ invitation, you will be directed to 

the front of the sanctuary where our lay ministers of 

worship will hand you a wafer that you can dip into 

the grape juice. You will be offered a one sentence 

blessing. If you desire additional prayer, we will have 

prayer partners available after worship. If you wish to 

receive gluten-free communion, please see the ushers 

in the center.

It is at this time that we invite parents with children 

in the Children’s area who wish to receive communion 

to go sign them out, and to rejoin us to participate in 

this sacred meal. 

At the ushers’ invitation, come and receive

Music during Communion

Come, Emmanuel

Come and speak to us, come and renew us,

come and live through us, Emmanuel.

Grace to implore us, ever before us,

come and restore us, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Once mercy found us, still you astound us.

Hold and surround us, Emmanuel.

Living inside us, faithful to guide us,

cover and hide us, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Words and Music: Twila Paris

© 2003 Ariose Music and Mountain Spring Music

Isn’t He?

Isn’t he beautiful? Beautiful, isn’t he? Prince of Peace, child of God, isn’t he?

Isn’t he wonderful? Wonderful, isn’t he? Counselor, almighty God.

Isn’t he, isn’t he, isn’t he, isn’t he?

Words and Music: John Wimber

©1980 Mercy Publishing

What Child Is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this the angels sing, is Christ, God’s holy offering.

Haste, haste your praise to bring, the babe the child of Mary.

Why lies the child in manger bare where ox and ass are feeding?

give heed, draw near, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.

This, this the angels sing, is Christ, God’s holy offering.

Haste, haste your praise to bring, the babe the child of Mary.

Words and Music: Andy Irons © Andy Irons/RESOUNDworship.or

**Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, your name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, your name is called Emmanuel.

Words and Music: Bob McGee

© 1975 C.A. Music/C.A. Records, Inc.

**Prayer of Thanksgiving 

**Recessional Hymn:

Heir of All the Waiting Nations

Heir of all waiting ages, hope of ages yet to be;

Joy to them that sit in sadness, living truth to make us free.

Stricken souls shall know the comfort of the gracious ministry.

Angel voices in the heavens joyfully proclaim thy birth;

Singing of a promised future, reign of righteousness and worth;

Songs of prophecy and promise, peace, good will to all on earth.

Word of peace, the warring nations in thy name shall sheathe the sword.

Justice, scorned of old and trampled, by thy rule shall be restored;

All the world with love shall follow, the acclaim with one accord.

Words: Marion Franklin Ham © Beacon Press

Music: French Carol, 17th Century

**Benediction         

Postlude for Dismissal

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