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About this Sermon |

Mark 13:24-37
On this first Sunday of Advent, we consider what kind of dreamers we are, and what it means to dream God-sized dreams. How do we go about becoming dreamers anyway? Mark 13 gives us a conclusive answer: we keep awake. What does it mean to keep awake? Why are we asked by Jesus to do so? And how do we go about that work?

Order of Worship |

Sunday, November 29, 2020

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Prelude – “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” – Handbell Choir

Welcome to Worship – Sylvia Mohler

Gathering Song – “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (verses 1 & 2)

(Verse 1) O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
(Verse 2) O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Call to Worship – (Prayer by Sarah Are/A Sanctified Art LLC/sanctifiedart.org.) – Sylvia Mohler

One: The power of dreams lies in waking up.
For when we close our eyes,
All: We can see a better world.
One: When we close our eyes,
All: We can dream a better dream.
One: But when we open our eyes,
All: We begin the work of faith.

One: The power of worship is the same,
When we enter this ,
All: We can see a better world.
One: When we enter this space,
All: We can dream a better dream.
One: But when we leave this ,
All: We begin the work of faith.

One: So come in. Dream your dream.
All: Find hope here.
One: We will begin the work of faith.
All: Let it be so.

Hymn of Advent  – “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

(Verse 1) 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 every nation, Joy of every longing heart.
(Verse 2) Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king,
Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.

Children’s SermonRev. Lisa Williams Hood

Lighting the Candle of Hope – The Wilkinson Family

Response to the Candle of Hope – O Come, O Come (verse 1)

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Invitation to Prayer Rev. Hood

Pastoral Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer Rev. Hood

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
 as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen. 

New Testament Reading – Mark 13:24-37 (NRSV) – Rev. Hood

Special Music – “Those Who Dream” – written & sung by The Many

Sermon – “Those Who Dream…keep watch” – Rev. Hood

Hymn of Hope  – “Come, Let Us Dream”

(Verse 1) Come let us dream God’s dream again.
Come, one and all, let us ascend the mountain top
Where those of old saw God’s new day on earth unfold.
(Verse 2) The lame shall walk, the blind shall see,
The doors swing wide, all prisoners free,
The lowly raised, the proud brought low.
This is God’s dream: let justice flow.
(Verse 3) When hatred ends and war shall cease,
So all may dwell in deepest peace,
Then be assured the time is near
When perfect love casts out all fear

Offering Rev. Hood

Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift,
Teach us to give to you all that we have and all that we are,
That we might praise you not with our words only,
But with our whole lives. Amen.

Offertory – “Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella” arr. Hegarty – Melanie Manges

Doxology Melanie Manges

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

AnnouncementsRev. Hood

Benediction – Rev. Hood

Postlude – “Once He Came in Blessing” Buttstedt  – Melanie Manges

Worship Leaders in this Service:

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