November 25, 2018 Welcome to OPC

Welcome and Announcements Cambridge Chimes Welcome and Announcements Greeting Each Other Ringing of the Bell

Prelude “Variation on Puer Nobis Nascitur” ~Arr. Hopson Lighting of the candles

*Hymn #2128 “Come and Find the Quiet Center” v.1 Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead, Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed:

*Hymn #2128 “Come and Find the Quiet Center” v.1 Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes, that we can see All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.

*Hymn #2128 “Come and Find the Quiet Center” v.2 Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace, God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,

*Hymn #2128 “Come and Find the Quiet Center” v.2 Making space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun, Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.

*Hymn #2128 “Come and Find the Quiet Center” v.3 In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other’s pain, Let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain:

*Hymn #2128 “Come and Find the Quiet Center” v.3 There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care, In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare.

*CENTERING OURSELVES ON WORSHIP (unison) Lift up your hearts, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty,

the Lord mighty in battle the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory.

SCRIPTURE READING: Colossians 1:11-20

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the

inheritance of the saints in the light inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers –

all things have been created through him and for him all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to

have first place in everything have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

“Sing Them Over Again to Me” ~Martin CHOIR ANTHEM “Sing Them Over Again to Me” ~Martin

Time With Young Christians “Countdown”

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.1 Star-Child, earth-Child, go-between of God, Love-Child, Christ-Child, heaven’s lightning rod

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.1 This year, this year, let the day arrive When Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive.

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.2 Street child, beat child, no place left to go, Hurt child, used child, no one wants to know

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.2 This year, this year, let the day arrive When Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive.

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.3 Grown child, old child, memory full of years, Sad child, lost child, story told in tears,

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.3 This year, this year, let the day arrive When Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive.

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.4 Spared child, spoiled child, having, wanting more, Wise child, faith child, knowing joy in store,

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.4 This year, this year, let the day arrive When Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive.

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.5 Hope-for-peace child, God’s stupendous sign, Down-to-earth child, Star of stars that shine,

*Hymn #2095 “Star-Child” v.5 This year, this year, let the day arrive When Christmas comes for everyone, everyone alive.

PROCLAIMING THE WORD SCRIPTURE READING

L: Christ is coming. What are we expecting to happen when Christ comes L: Christ is coming. What are we expecting to happen when Christ comes? ALL: We expect He will teach us how to live. L: Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared;

but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2) ALL: We expect that we might get along better in our communities.

L: “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 65:25)

ALL: We expect there will be more guidance for us ALL: We expect there will be more guidance for us. L: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope. (Psalm 130:5) ALL: We expect to be strengthened in our faith.

L: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) ALL: We expect there will be peace among all people. L: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where

the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ (John 20:19) ALL: We expect Christ’s presence to restore us, to teach us, and to heal us.

“What Are We Expecting to Expect?” Rev. Darla Bair

*HYMN #150 “Come, Christians, Join…” v.1 Come, Christians, join to sing Alleluia! Amen! Loud praise to Christ our King; Alleluia! Amen!

*HYMN #150 “Come, Christians, Join…” v.1 Let all with heart and voice, before His throne rejoice; Praise is His gracious choice; Alleluia! Amen!

*HYMN #150 “Come, Christians, Join…” v.2 Come, lift your hearts on high; Alleluia! Amen! Let praises fill the sky; Alleluia! Amen!

*HYMN #150 “Come, Christians, Join…” v.2 He is our guide and friend; to us He’ll condescend; His love shall never end; Alleluia! Amen!

*HYMN #150 “Come, Christians, Join…” v.3 Praise yet our Christ again; Alleluia! Amen! Life shall not end the strain; Alleluia! Amen!

*HYMN #150 “Come, Christians, Join…” v.3 On heaven’s blissful shore His goodness we’ll adore, Singing forevermore: “Alleluia! Amen!”

OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD OFFERTORY INVITATION Offertory “Wachet Auf” ~Arr. Walther

*DOXOLOGY #592 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 (unison) To you, O Creator, we offer our daily lives, our comings and goings, our monetary gifts, our talents. Use us and use our gifts to bring your kingdom to Earth.

With all that is Holy, we say, Amen.

RESPONDING TO THE WORD JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord’s Prayer (unison) 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.

BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.1 Great is Thy faithfulness, O God, my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.1 Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.1 Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see;

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.1 All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.2 Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.2 Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see;

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.2 All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.3 Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.3 Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see;

*Hymn #276 “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” v.3 All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

*BLESSING

“A Festal Fanfare” ~J.S. Bach Postlude “A Festal Fanfare” ~J.S. Bach