SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 4 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Voluntary on “Winchester New”
C. S. Lang (1891-1971)
Meditation on “Creator of the Stars of Night”
Alec Rowley (1892-1958)
Welcome
Lighting of the Second Advent Candle – Candle of Peace
Reader One: Last week we lit the candle of HOPE on the Advent wreath. Its flickering flame reminded us that our waiting is to be both contemplative and active. This week we light the candle of PEACE.
Reader Two: God’s people have long dreamed of the coming of peace, justice, and faithfulness to God’s ways. In our own time we dream of equality and good life for everyone. Such dreams come from God.
Reader One: We work to make crooked paths straight for all God’s people to walk together in peace. Please join me in the unison prayer:
(The first and second candles are lit.)
Unison Prayer
Loving God,
give us the desire,
the willingness,
and the courage
to be part of your dream
for a world made new.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
your dream incarnate. Amen.
*Gathering Hymn O Lord, How Shall I Meet You, verse 2
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Christ, alive among us,
as we draw near to you,
but embrace, bump, and bruise one another,
rule us with your peace
so that, clothed in love,
we may bear with one another,
forgive as we have been forgiven,
and be thankful
in your name. Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Gloria
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
97 Watchman, Tell Us Of The Night
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
Wexford Carol (8:30am)
arr. Richard Walters
I Wonder As I Wander (11:00am)
arr. Adam Waite (b. 1978)
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Holy One,
come to this place
and increase our love for one another
by the reading of your word. Amen.
Scripture Lesson
Matthew 3:1-12 (New Testament Pew Bible Page 2)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
We Live in a World (Cup) of Compromise
Rev. Ian Cummins
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by texting a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support.
All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name. If you are visiting, we also invite you to fill out the welcome card in the pew rack and put it in the offering box.
*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully redeemed us. Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves, our wills and our works. A continual thank offering to you. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Response
607 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow (Doxology)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below; Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.
Eucharistic Prayer
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.
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. A gluten-free option is offered from the server on the pulpit side of the aisle.
Communion Music
The Star Carol
Alfred Burt (1920-1954)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
88 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Verses 5,6,7 (Veni Emmanuel)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
Benediction Response (11:00am)
Creator of the Stars of Night
Sarum Plainsong
Postlude
Rhapsody on “Helmsley”
William Lloyd Webber (1914-1982)
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT
Afghan Women’s Collective
Families who fled Afghanistan and took refuge in Denver with the help of Montview Church are finding their voices and an opportunity to work. In the Commons this morning you can shop for beautiful Christmas gifts sewn and crocheted by the women we are serving. They are proud and grateful to be able to send money to help feed the parents and siblings they left behind in Jalalabad.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that this worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Harriet Moyer Aptekar; The Beardsley family, mourning the death of Chris’ father, Jim Beardsley; Carole Buchanan, mother of Ellen McDonough; The Burkhardt family, mourning the death of Don Burkhardt; Sheila Cody; Dennis Cole; Jolene Cranston; Dave, son-in-law of Nancy and John Thompson; Ray Fedde and family, mourning the death of Ray’s sister, Helen House; Joy Freeman; Mel Gilles and Craig Warner, family members of Sheila Cody; Madie Gustafson; Jenni Hatlem; Gretchen Ackermann Moss and the Ackermann family; Eden Murphy; Dan Park; Bea Romer; Leroy Thompson, brother of Delores Collins; Patricia Vestal; Steve Warnke
Deaths
November 7 | Don Burkhardt
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
Childcare – Ages Birth-7 (masks optional)
Location: Preschool Floor
8:45am
Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
Location: Room 206B
9:30am
Adult Faith Forum
Exploration of the mystery of incarnation through personal reflection, art and iconography, music and poetry.
Location: Miller Center
Combined Cantate and Timbrel Choirs (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204
Confirmation
Location: Gallery Room
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
Waffles and Wonderings (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar Back Room
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Preschool and Second Floors
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
Childcare – Ages Birth-7 (masks optional)
Location: Preschool Floor
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers (Grades 6-12)
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
Christmas Concert
Location: Sanctuary
FLOWER DONATIONS
The flowers in the chancel today are given to the glory of God by David Harder and Michele Horn in memory of Kurt Harder, and Daniel Bowles and Kelly McMullen in celebration of the Westminster Choir.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org