Prelude
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Welcome
Lighting of the First Advent Candle The Ritchie Family
Call to Worship
The days are surely coming when God's promises shall be fulfilled.
When our love for one another and for all God's children will increase.
The days are surely coming when God's promises shall come true.
When God will strengthen our hearts in humility and holiness.
The days are surely coming when God's promises are realized in us.
When we will walk the paths of faithfulness and steadfast love.
Friends, let us worship God, tender and just.
Opening Hymn No. 88 verses 1 & 7
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Call to Confession
Advent is a season of waiting, of longing, of watching, of hoping. Yet, even as we wait, God is ready to forgive us and set us back on solid ground. Let us confess our sins to our gracious and loving God, first in silent prayer.
Prayer of Confession
Almighty and vulnerable God, always with us, always coming. We confess that we do not know how to prepare for your Advent. We have forgotten how to hope in miracles; we have ignored the promise of your kingdom; we get distracted by the busyness of this season and discouraged by the pandemic. Forgive us, God. Grant us the simple wonder of the shepherds, the intelligent courage of the Magi, and the patient faith of Mary and Joseph, that we may journey with them to Bethlehem and find the good news of a child born for us. Now, in the quiet of our hearts, we ask you to make us ready for his coming. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
The good news of this Advent season is forgiveness of sin and new life. Let us commit our lives to Christ’s way of hope and peace. Thanks be to the Advent God who sets us free to love and serve!
Sung Response
Prepare the Way Jacques Bertier
Prepare the way of the Lord,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
And all people will see the salvation of our God.
Our Common Life
Scripture
Luke 1:26-38
Sermon
Responsive Hymn No. 98
To a Maid Whose Name Was Mary
Affirmation of Faith (drawn from the Iona Abbey, Scotland) -
We believe that God is present in the darkness before the dawn; in the waiting and uncertainty where fear and courage join hands, conflict and caring link arms, and the sun rises over barbed wire. We believe in a with-us God who sits down in our midst to share our humanity. We affirm a faith that takes us beyond a safe place: into action, into vulnerability, and into the brokenness of our world. We commit ourselves to work for change and put ourselves on the line; to bear responsibility, take risks, live powerfully and face humiliation; to stand with those on the edge; to choose life and be used by the Spirit for God’s new community of hope. Amen.
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Offering
On this day, we are invited to participate in the kingdom emerging all around us. May we offer ourselves to God this Advent with glad and generous hearts, freely giving our tithes and offerings to the ministry of our congregation. In lieu of passing the plate, we invite you to give through our church website, our smartphone app, by texting the word “Wilmette” to the number 77977, or by sending a check to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.
Doxology No. 606
Prayer of Dedication
Sending Hymn No 82
Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Charge and Benediction
Postlude
O Come, O Come Emmanuel/Personet Hodie arr. Liz Story
Worship Leaders
Rev. Jeff Lehn, Preaching
Lindley Traynor, Call to Confession
Scott McElhenie, Scripture Reading
Sue Sklansky, Call to Offering
Guyneth and Bill Sharp, Hymn Soloists
Nick Lin and Jordan Roulo, Soloists
Peggy Massello, Organist, Director of Music
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779
847-256-3010
Experience God. Grow Disciples. Transform Lives.
