Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Second Sunday of Advent
December 4, 2022
CCLI license #1913561
Welcome: Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Questions for Reflection:
Prelude “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” G #347
Gathering Peter Murray, Liturgist
Christ, the One who was, and is, and is to come, welcomes you to this place.
As one body, with one voice, we honor and glorify the giver of wisdom, the Prince of Peace.
We gather to worship together. Amen.
Opening Prayer
Prince of Peace, stir up your power within us, that in this time we may await with abundant expectation the fulfillment of your eternal promise of peace and goodwill among all people, peoples, and nations. Fill our hearts with your peace that we may be ready for your coming and your presence in the world. Amen.
*Hymn “I Come with Joy” G #515
Advent Candle Lighting Peace
Today is the second Sunday in Advent. Along with the prophets and people through the ages, we dream of a world of peace and justice. We share John the Baptizer’s dream of making crooked paths straight, of making a smooth highway broad enough for all God’s people to move on together in peace and harmony.Our actions can help build that highway. God’s dream can become our dream.
The first candle, the candle of hope reminds us that our hope is lived out in prayer and action.
The second Advent candle reminds us that God dreams for peace in the world, and that Emmanuel, “God with us,” is the Prince of Peace.
Prayer:
Loving God, give us the desire, the willingness, and the courage to be part of your dream for a world of peace and justice. We pray in the name of Jesus, your dream made real. Amen
Hymn Response “Prepare the Way of the Lord” #95
Call to Confession from Hebrews 4:14-16)
John the Baptist cries, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Let us confess our sins this Advent to prepare for the coming of Christ.
Prayer of Confession
God of the prophets, we confess our lack of preparedness and our tendency to wander away from you and your path. You call us to venture outside our comfortable spaces, yet we hunker down and excuse ourselves from faithful action. Forgive us, God. Call us again. Help us to respond this Advent in faith. Amen.
Assurance of pardon 2 Corinthians 5:17
Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. Amen
Prayer for Understanding
Eternal God, guide us by your Word and Spirit that we might hear your truth, heed your call and be prepared for Christ’s birth this Christmas. Amen
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 2:1-5 NRS
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!
Hymn please remain seated “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” G #82
Reading from the Gospel Matthew 3:1-12 NRS
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'" Now John wore clothing of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. "I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Sermon “Bearing Fruit: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love” The Rev. Lois R Lehman
*Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God, who created and is creating - and we await the new creation.
We believe in God born among us, God born to die, God born to save - and we await rebirth.
We believe in God alive within us, among us, through us - and so we await inspiration and work as God calls us.
We believe that the God who comes is a God who waits and wills that justice be done and mercy be shown, that bread be shared and bridges be built, that those in low valleys be lifted up and that insurmountable obstacles to the kingdom be removed. And so we who believe are those who wait and those who work preparing our hearts and preparing the way for the One who is Emmanuel.Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Statement about Offering our Gifts
God gives out of God’s abundance. Let us respond to God’s generosity with our own abundant giving
Donations can be placed in the offering plate near the baptismal font in the center of the sanctuary.
Or mailed to:
Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705
or given online at: lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” Selah
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God of mercy, accept these gifts and multiply them for Christ’s mission of love and grace for all the world. Amen.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
The Words of Institution
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
How can we thank you, O God? …. With saints, with angels, and with the whole creation, we join the ancient and eternal hymn:
Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, who was and is and is to come. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever.
We give you thanks, Holy God, for Jesus… the certain hope of a heavenly home where we will sit at table with Christ our host.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come
Even now, a voice is crying in the wilderness…Hear us now as we pray together
(The Lord’s Prayer, sung)
Distribution of Elements
Prayer after Communion
Gracious and abundant God, even as we wait for the fulfillment of your creation, you meet us in Christ at this table, in this meal. We thank you for feeding us with the bread of life and quenching our thirst with the cup of salvation. Now send us out into the world by the power of your Holy Spirit to share your life and salvation with all whom we meet. Amen.
*Hymn “Prepare the Way, O Zion” G #106
Announcements
Charge and Benediction
Prepare the way of the Lord
with your repentance with your forgiveness of others,
with your ministries of compassion and grace.
May God’s grace, Christ’s peace, and the Spirit’s guidance be with you today and always. Amen
Postlude “Let There Be Peace on Earth” AAHH #498