Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
November 30, 2008
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am

First Sunday of Advent

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude

  Lighting the Advent Candle                                      (litany on back of bulletin)

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

*Opening Prayer

  Scripture                               1 Corinthians 1:3-9

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory              (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Response                   (vs. 3) "O little town of Bethlehem"                           191

*Dedication

  Scripture                                  Mark 13:24-37

  Hymn                        "Jesus came - the heavens adoring"                          297

  Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
                                 (please be brief, and aware of God’s listening presence)

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                       Psalm 80

  Message                       “The Restoration Project”

  Keeping Watch with song           "Psalm 126"
            refrain: “May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy”

*and Hymn                     (vs. 1-3) "O come, all ye faithful"                            212

*Benediction

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Lighting the Advent Candle

One:  God of signs and seasons, it is Advent again.
  All:  You call us to wait and to be on watch.

One:  You are God
                    who has come,
                    who comes,
                    who will come again.
  All:  What are we waiting for? For what do we watch?

One:  Did we wonder when the earth's shadow shrouded
          the moon in the wide winter's night?
  All:  Do we celebrate the pink blush of peach blossoms
          on spring-green hills?

One:  Do we delight in the dazzle of summer stars free-fall
          like fiery prophets of a time foretold?
  All:  Are we aware daily, each with our own work?

One:  You are God
                    who has come,
                    who comes,
                    who will come again.
  All:  This Advent season as we wait and keep watch,
                    may we be present to your Presence.
         As we light this first Advent candle,
                    awaken our hearts,
                    illumine us that we may truly see.

by Prue Yelinek, pastor
Waynesboro, PA Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"
  

Opening Prayer

            We confess, Surprising God, that our sense of anticipation has been dulled. We have ceased to expect any wonders from your hand. We do not see the marvels around us in the people and happenings we view as commonplace. We are not alert to your presence or your action on our behalf. Wake us up, God, lest sleep be our death. Pardon and redeem us, that we may escape the judgment we are bringing on ourselves. Send your light that it may shine through us into a needy world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

by Lavon Bayler, from Flames of the Spirit,
ed. Ruth C. Duck, ©1985, The Pilgrim Press, p. 15
  

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

            The apostle Paul must have seen something shining through the believers in Corinth for which he was thankful, because he starts out his letter to them with the words of gratitude I just read. Later on he takes them to task for the numerous ways in which they have fallen down on the job of being the body of Christ. Even so, he begins by giving thanks for these often ornery people - for what God has been doing in them. Such gratitude opens the eyes.
            Are you grateful for the people sitting around you this morning? Are you thankful for those who ate with you this past week? Can you see something good shining through them, whether it be like a blazing fire or a solitary candle? If so, use the next few minutes to form it unto a prayer. As you return your offering to God, bring your gratitude as well.
            Ushers?
  

Dedication  

            During this season of waiting and anticipation, we are reminded to stay awake for the coming of your Son. Jesus' love often comes into our lives in quiet, unexpected ways. Today, we generously respond to this compassion and commit ourselves to living in a manner worthy of your love. In anticipation of the coming of Jesus, the Savior, we pray. Amen.

by David S. Bell, ©2008.
Bell currently serves as Vice-President of Stewardship
with the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.
  

Pastoral Prayer

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

Benediction