Worship

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Second Sunday of Advent

12/07/2025 - 10:30 pm

CHRISTMAS CAROL SING

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CENTERING MUSIC

MOMENT OF HOPE

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLES OF HOPE AND PEACE

Choir: As we watch for the dawn of a brighter day, a candle of peace lights the way.
As we look for the signs of the promised birth, of a Savior who brings heaven to earth.

All sing: Lord, we are waiting for peace to reign.
Lord, we are listening for love’s refrain.
For hope, peace and joy and love to unite in the beauty of wonder of Advent’s holy light.

(the first and second candles are lit)

One: We continue our Advent journey today with the lighting of the Hope candle and the second candle, the candle of Peace. Let the gentle glow of these candles symbolize the tranquility we seek in our hearts and homes, fostering a sense of peace that transcends the chaos of this world.

One:               In a world filled with conflict and confrontations
People:           We humbly seek the gift of peace.
One:                For the storms that sometimes rage within us
People:           We humbly seek the gift of peace.
One:                As we rush and hurry our way through busy lives
People:           We humbly seek the gift of peace.
One:                And for those around us we know are carrying heavy burdens
People:           We humbly seek the gift of peace.
One:                Gracious Creator, in the quiet moments may we find solace in your presence, and in the noisy chaos of life may your peace prevail. Calm the storms that rage within and around us. May we be instruments of your peace, fostering understanding, compassion, and harmony in our hearts. Amen.

All sing: Lord, we are waiting for peace to reign.
Lord, we are listening for love’s refrain.
For hope, peace and joy and love to unite in the beauty of wonder of Advent’s holy light.

UNISON PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE

Silent Word, Creative Act, Hidden Truth, Revealed Love; we wait for you. To be precise, we are impatient for you to come and set things right. We are insecure with our world, fearful of crime in the streets, and anxious about ourselves. We refuse your guidance, but we often wish you would act according to our plans. We seldom pause to consider that you are waiting for us: waiting for some genuine act of contrition; waiting for us to repent and change; waiting for us to listen and respond with a burning passion to your truth, your justice, and your mercy. Furnish us with humble hearts and willing spirits to receive you as you come to us through all the experiences of our lives. Amen.

MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER

SONG OF RENEWAL #82 vs. 1 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE

One: Rejoice in the knowledge that God comes to you as one of you! That God understands and loves all of who we are.
All: Amen.

*PASSING THE PEACE

Leader:      The peace of Christ be with you.
People:     And with you also.
Leader:      Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People:     The peace of Christ be with you.   (To one another)

ANTHEM "Angels' Carol" by John Rutter

MOMENT FOR CHILDREN

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Leader: God in your Grace,
People: Hear our prayer

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS Ezekiel 27:1-14; John 11:25-26

RESPONSE

Reader: The Gospel of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively

Pastor:       May the words of my mouth
People:     And the meditations of our hearts
All:            Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
                  Our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

SERMON Bringing us Back from Death Pastor Barbara Barkley

MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION

MOMENT OF THANKS

OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY Oh, Litle Town of Bethlehem by Lewis H. Render

*ADVENT DOXOLOGY Tune: Infant Holy

          Glory be to God, Creator; glory be to Christ the Son;
            Glory be to Holy Spirit, glory to the Three-in-One.
            Here we offer to you gladly all the gifts that you impart,
            As we glory in your Presence, giving from a grateful heart.

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

One: Loving God, you are trustworthy and kind to all who seek you. Thank you for comforting us when we are afraid about what the future may bring. Send us patience through your Spirit so that we will cheerfully bear with one another as a community of faith. Help us to grow in wisdom as we wait for your purposes to be fulfilled in the world. Accept our offerings in Jesus’ name. (2 Peter 3:8-15a)

All: Amen

*HYMN OF RESPONSE #90 Wait for the Lord

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; take heart!

SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION

INVITATION TO THE TABLE

One:      The Lord be with you
People: And also with you.
One:      Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord
One:      Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE: SHARING THE BREAD AND THE CUP

Here at Clayton Valley we practice open communion, and all believers are welcome. We do not use alcohol so that all may come to the table of our Lord.

Each row will be directed by an usher to come to the front of the sanctuary by way of the center aisle. Please tear a piece of bread from the loaf. When offered the cup, dip your bread into the cup. After receiving the bread and the cup, you may respond, “Amen”. Return to your seat by way of the side aisle.

COMMUNION PRAYER

*CLOSING HYMN #97 Watchman, Tell Us of The Night

Watchman, tell us of the night,
What its signs of promise are.
Traveler, what a wondrous sight,
See that glory beaming star.

Watchman, does its beauteous ray
News of joy or hope foretell?
Traveler, yes—it brings the day,
Promised day of Israel.

Watchman, tell us of the night;
Higher yet that star ascends.
Traveler, blessedness and light,
Peace and truth its course portends.

Watchman, will its beams alone
Gild the spot that gave them birth?
Traveler, ages are its own;
See, it bursts o’er all the earth.

Watchman, tell us of the night,
For the morning seems to dawn.
Traveler, shadows take their flight,
Doubt and terror are withdrawn.

Watchman, you may go your way;
Hasten to your quiet home.
Traveler, we rejoice this day,
For Emmanuel has come!

POSTLUDE "Fantasy on Hyfrydol" by Rowland H. Prichard
arr. By Mark Thallander.

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION