"Good News, Bad News"
*HYMN 82 ||| Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus ||| Hyfrydol
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world.
(silent prayer)
Amen.
*DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
*THE GLORIA
MOMENT WITH OUR CHILDREN ||| Rev. Dudley J. Elvery
WELCOME AND CHURCH COMMUNICATIONS
WE HEAR GOD’S WORD
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING ||| Jeremiah 33:14-16 ||| CEB
14 The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill my gracious promise with the people of Israel and Judah. 15 In those days and at that time, I will raise up a righteous branch from David’s line, who will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days, Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is what he will be called: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.
SPECIAL MUSIC ||| Comfort, Comfort You My People ||| Lyndell Leatherman
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING ||| Luke 21:25-36 ||| CEB
25 “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves. 26 The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world. 27 Then they will see the Human One[a] coming on a cloud with power and great splendor. 28 Now
when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.” 29 Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near. 32 I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until everything has happened. 33 Heaven and earth
will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away. 34 “Take care that your hearts aren’t dulled by drinking parties, drunkenness, and the anxieties of day-to-day life. Don’t let that day fall upon you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. It will come upon everyone who lives on the face of the whole earth. 36 Stay alert at all times, praying that you are strong enough to escape everything that is about to happen
and to stand before the Human One.”
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!
SERMON ||| "Good News, Bad News" ||| Rev. Dudley J. Elvery
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
*HYMN 105 ||| People, Look East ||| Besancon
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH ||| Brief Statement of 1983
10.4 The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
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.
OFFERING OF OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY ||| O Come, O Come Emmanuel ||| Mark Hayes
*DOXOLOGY 606 ||| Old Hundredth
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Just as we address Christmas cards and wrap gifts, see our offerings addressed to you our God and waiting to be opened by you. Amen.
WE GO IN GOD’S NAME
*HYMN 93 ||| Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates ||| Truro
*PRAYER OF BLESSING from St. Patrick
We arise today through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun, Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
We arise today through God's strength to pilot us;
God's might to uphold us, God's wisdom to guide us,
God's eye to look before us, God's ear to hear us,
God's word to speak for us, God's hand to guard us,
God's way to lie before us, God's shield to protect us,
God's hosts to save us afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
Christ shield me today against wounding
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ in me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me.
We arise today
Through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation. Amen.
POSTLUDE ||| From Heaven to Earth I Come ||| Gordon Young
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Rev. Dudley J. Elvery II, Interim Pastor
Mrs. Mary Ann Wenzelman, Interim Organist/Pianist
Worship Liturgist: Laurie Ulrich
Usher: Phil Dillman
SCRIPTURES IN WORSHIP – Next Sunday we will be reading Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 3:1-6.
PRAYER CHAIN – If you want prayer requests included on the prayer chain, contact Shirley Armistead at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..