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SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Pastor: Rev. Kendra Balliet
 Organist: Jim Ross
 
PRELUDE - Lo, How a Rose - Sharon Elery Rogers

WELCOME

*CALL TO WORSHIP - The Advent of Our King (St. Thomas SM)
Leader: The advent of our King our prayers must now employ, and we must hymns of welcome sing In strains of holy joy.
People: The everlasting Son Incarnate deigns to be,Himself a servant’s form puts on to set his servants free.
Leader: O Zion’s daughter, rise to meet your lowly King, nor let your faithless heart despise the peace he comes to bring.
People: All glory to the Son,who comes to set us free,with Father, Spirit ever one, through all eternity.
 
*OPENING HYMN “Send Your Word” #195
 
*LIGHTING OF THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE
Leader: Today we light the second candle on the Advent wreath, the candle of peace. We may be afraid at times, because we live in a world filled with violence. We may become caught up in personal struggles and family quarrels. We need the peace that only Jesus can bring.
People: Lord, grant us your peace.
Leader: The prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of the promised Messiah, the child who would be called the Prince of Peace. He would rule over all things, and there would be no end to his kingdom of peace.
People: Lord, grant us your peace.
Leader: Jesus was born to bring us peace, the peace that comes through the forgiveness of our sins, peace that the world can never give, peace that Jesus alone brings.
People: Lord, grant us your peace.
(Two purple candles are lit on the Advent wreath.)

 *CONFESSIONAL PRAYER
Pastor: Let us confess our sins to God and ask him to have mercy on us.
People: Almighty God, even though you grant us your peace, we often destroy that peace by causing strife. We quarrel with others and condemn them. We pursue our own selfish interests instead of showing love to others. We turn away from the guidance of your holy Word. Have mercy on us, forgive our sins and grant us your peace. 
Pastor: God sent his Son, the Prince of Peace, to be our Savior. Jesus shed his precious, innocent blood, suffering the penalty of death that we deserved for our sins. I announce to you that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
People: Jesus, Prince of Peace, rule in our hearts with the peace that you alone can bring.
 
RESPONSE “Light the Advent Candle” #2090 vs 2
 
CHILDREN'S CHAT

 MUSIC MINISTRY & OFFERTORY - Pastorale - Max Oesten
DOXOLOGY & PRAYER OF GRATITUDE

SCRIPTURE Luke 1:67-79
 
 SERMON - The Light Grace series - “Peace: Isaiah”
 
HYMN “Amazing Grace” #378 vs. 2

JOYS/CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER/LORD'S PRAYER

CLOSING HYMN "Emmanuel" #204 Sing Twice
 
ACTION STEPS
 
BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE - Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella - E.A. Hovdesven

 The flowers on the altar today are given in loving memory of my friend Cheryl Knox by Barbara Baker.

Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org