UMH – United Methodist Hymnal
FWS – The Faith We Sing Hymnal
Prelude
Welcome
HymnCome, Thou Long Expected Jesus (UMH 196)
Call to Worship
Leader: Come, let us gather to worship the God of promise.
People: Our hearts are filled with hope for what is to come.
Leader: In the waiting, we remember Gods’ faithfulness.
People: In the silence, we trust that light will break forth.
Leader: The Lord of hope is with us even now.
All: Let us rejoice in the Lord that is coming! Amen.
Hymn Light the Advent Candle v. 1 (FWS 2090)
Lighting the Advent Wreath
Hymn My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (UMH 368)
Scripture Matthew 16:13-16
Leader: The word of God for the people of God.
People: Thanks be to God.
Children’s Message
Hymn Once in Royal David’s City (UMH 250)
Message Messiah
Hymn In the Bleak Midwinter (UMH 221)
Confession
Messiah, we confess that we sometimes lose sight of hope. The noise of the world distracts us, and fear clouds our vision. Forgive us when we doubt your promises or forget that you are still at work. Renew our hearts with the assurance that your light is coming, and that your hope will not fail. Amen.
Giving Our Tithes and Offerings
Offertory
Doxology (UMH 94)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of promise, we bring these gifts with hearts full of hope. May they be used to bring light into places of darkness and courage to those who wait. Bless these offerings, that through them your hope may take root and grow in our world. Amen.
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer (UMH 895)
Hymn People, Look East (UMH 202)
Benediction
Postlude
