Worship - November 30, 2003

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
November 30, 2003
Worship 10:00 am Sunday School for all ages 11:15 am

First Sunday of Advent

"Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near." (Luke 21:29-31)

Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude

Responsive Call to Worship (back of bulletin)

*Hymn "Come, thou long-expected Jesus" 178

*Opening Prayer

Blessing and Dedication

Congregational Promise 791

Special Music "Sing Alleluia" Byrd/Hindalong
(Pre-schoolers then leave for playful worship)

Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise

Hymn (vs. 1-3) "O come, O come, Immanuel" 172

Pastoral Prayer

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Offertory

Scripture Jeremiah 33:14-16

Hymn (vs. 6) "O come, O come, Immanuel" 172

Scripture Luke 21:25-36

Message "Are you ready?"

*Hymn "Oh, how shall I receive thee" 182

*Unison Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
Our Redemption Is Drawing Near
A Call to Worship based on Luke 21:28, The Message

Leader:   At just that moment when life seems absent,
                    when all the world becomes as cracked, dead wood,
People:   The sprout appears, promising seed for next year's hope.
All:         Our redemption is drawing near!

Leader:   At just the moment of travail,
                    when horror and bloodshed pile on the foundations
                    of holocausts past,
People:   Behold the tree of life, its lush leaves "for the healing of the nations."
All:         Our redemption is drawing near!

Leader:   At just the moment between sickness and death,
                    when the faith community grows moss-covered and cold,
                    tongues silent, hands folded, resting on laurels past,
People:   Behold the true vine, heavy with fruit of salvation,
                    renewal, rebirth.
All:         Our redemption is drawing near!

Leader:   At just that moment of disaster and despair,
                    rejected, dejected, life winter-bare,
                    begging the question, "Can these bones live?"
People:   "Stand tall with your heads high�help is on the way!"
All:          At just that moment, in the fullness of time,
                    Come, Lord Jesus!

by Sandra Bosserman, district executive
Missouri/Arkansas District, Church of the Brethren
Peace Valley, Missouri
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Opening Prayer

         Come, Lord Jesus. There is room for you here. As we sit, we become aware of your presence beside us. Embrace those who grieve. Lift up those who have fallen, physically or spiritually. Heal the sick. Encourage the weak-hearted. Afflict those who are too comfortable, but comfort those who are afflicted. Empower your church to more fully become your body.
         Come, Lord Jesus. We lift our eyes to you. May your Holy Spirit move through this room. Make us aware of our sin that we might turn from it and turn toward you. And give us the gumption to step out by faith toward your kingdom, following you.
         Yes, come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

The passing of the offering plates may seem like wasted time, waiting for the ushers to get to your pew, and then waiting till they finish. If that�s how you feel, I invite you to reclaim these moments. I will read aloud the verses from Psalm 62 that are printed in your bulletin. Then, as you give your offering to the Lord, continue quietly reading these verses, over and over. As you do so, certain words will grab you. Allow them to do so. Let God speak to you in the middle of what you may have thought was wasted time. Let�s listen:

"For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken... Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us." (Psalm 62:5-6, 8)

Ushers?

Unison Benediction

"May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints." (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)