FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 3, 2023 | 8:30 & 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
“Savior of the nations, come” from Orgelbüchlein, BWV 599
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)
Welcome
Lighting of the First Advent Candle – Candle of Hope
Reader One: Today marks the beginning of Advent, a season filled with hope. To celebrate, we light the first candle of the Advent wreath. Each week, we will add to the growing light.
Reader Two: The first candle is the candle of HOPE. Hope is what carries us through dark times. As the days get shorter and the nights lengthen, hope whispers that light shines in the darkness.
(Light the first candle.)
Reader One: May this candle remind us that God’s light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.
All: May the light from this candle overwhelm the world, declaring that God’s hope is on its way.
Gathering Hymn O Lord, How Shall I Meet You, Verse 1
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
God of Presence and Promised Coming,
We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to fulfill your desire for us to love one another.
We have not followed the paths you have given us,
Choosing instead to follow our own.
We have rebelled against your love.
We have not heard the cries of the needy;
The mouths of the poor are still hungry, and
the oppressed remain thirsty for justice.
Free us for generous obedience, through the Advent of Christ.
Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Gloria
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
82 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus (Hyfrydol)
LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD
Word to the Children . . . . . . . . . . Sandy Prouty
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 that the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Give us humble, teachable, and open hearts,
that we may receive your Word
and respond in love. Amen.
First Lesson
Isaiah 64:1-9 (Pew Bible Old Testament Page 654)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Anthem
Until next time (8:30am)
Kenji Bunch (b. 1973)
A Christmas Carol (11:00am)
Charles Ives (1874-1954)
Gospel Lesson
Mark 13:24-37 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 44)
Sermon
Hope for a Weary World: Living in Dark Days
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Communion, Op. 39, No. 5 (8:30am)
Alexandre Guillmant (1837-1911)
E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come (11:00am)
Paul Manz (1919-2009)
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.
*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 144 In the Bleak Midwinter, Verse 4
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. Bread at every station is gluten-free. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate.
Communion Music
Thais, Meditation (8:30am)
Jules Massenet (1842-1912)
Communion, Op. 39, No. 5 (11:00am)
Alexandre Guillmant
*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 2, 6 and 7 (Veni Emmanuel)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
*Benediction Response (11:00am)
Creator of the Stars of Night
Sarum Plainsong
Postlude
“Allegro” from Concerto in A minor, BWV 593
J. S. Bach
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: CASA DE PAZ
Casa de Paz welcomes guests who are released from the immigration detention center in Aurora and provides them a safe temporary space to go to so they can connect with their loved ones and make it to their final destination. This year alone, Casa de Paz has hosted over 4,300 individuals. To learn more or to get involved, visit their table in the Commons after today’s services.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Liturgists: Rev. Ian Cummins and Sandy Prouty
Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Yinying Luo
Violin: Erik Peterson (8:30am)*
Reader: Debby Cella (8:30am)
Reader: Paul Ward (11am)
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11am)
*Musician Erik Peterson performs in collaboration with Montview’s resident chamber music series, Front Range Chamber Players, in concert December 9, 2pm.
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
The civilians caught in the war in Israel/Palestine; The Bofenkamp and Damon
families, mourning the death of Linda Bofenkamp’s son; The Cummins Family; Madie Gustafson; Roger Headrick; Steve House; Linda Marrou-Cole; Mateo; Eden Murphy; Mac Murphy; Scot Sandoval, son of Juanita Martinez; Lynne Severson; Peggy Walker and Arne Binion; Jewel Wegs; Janet Wolfer
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:00am – 12:30pm
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
Location: Preschool Floor
Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.
8:30am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
8:45am
Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
Location: Room 206B
9:30am
Advent Series: Messiah!
Dr. Peter Hulac and Vivian Showalter
Location: Miller Chapel
Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204B
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
Confirmation
Location: Gallery Room
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
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers (Grades 6-12)
Location: Sanctuary
Eco-Faith: Resizing Our Carbon Footprint
Earth Care Team Presentation and Luncheon
Location: Fellowship Hall
4:00pm
O Great Mystery: A Symphonic Christmas Concert
Location: Sanctuary
6:00pm
MOB Christmas Party (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar
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.
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
We are so glad your family is worshiping with us today. We also know that sometimes children tire of being in worship. We have a space for those times directly below the sanctuary. You can follow the service on a large screen there while your children enjoy toys, books and space. The ushers can direct you!
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org