December 1, 2024

DECEMBER 1, 2024 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT REV. KENDRA BALLIET ORGANIST JIM ROSS Prelude Welcome & Announcements *Call to Worship Leader: “Joy to the World,” a beloved Christmas classic, turns 300 this year. Hymn poet Isaac Watt’s interpretation of Psalm 98 invites us to sing a “new song”—and it is a powerful cosmic performance of all creation being renewed and freed. Let us join our voices with heaven and earth, proclaiming along with the Psalmist: Sing a new song to the Lord Lift your hearts with gratitude Sing a new song to the Lord Lift your hearts with gratitude and Joy, Hopeful Joy Your steadfast love and faithfulness Is ever present in our lives Your steadfast love and faithfulness Is ever present in our lives with Joy, Hopeful joy Leader: O sing to the Beloved a new song, for Love has done marvelous things! By the strength of your indwelling Presence, we, too, are called to do great things: we are set free through Love’s forgiveness and truth. Yes, your steadfast Love and faithfulness are ever-present gifts in our lives. All the ends of the earth have seen the glory of Love’s Eternal Flame. Advent Wreath Skit & Lighting Let us pray: Holy God, you are our joy. You are the joy that runs deep and wide underneath all of life. This is our hope that You are ever-present and constantly shifting our fear to compassion and grinding our swords into plows. Let us prepare him room in our hearts this day. Let us prepare him room in our church this day. Let us prepare him room in the world this day… for Hope. Amen. [sung] We sing We sing Joy to the World Heaven and nature sing Joy to the World Heaven and nature sing with joy Hopeful joy *Praise Hymn – “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” #89 Children’s Chat Scripture – Isaiah 2: 1-5 (CEB); Romans 13: 11-14 (The Message) Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. People: Thanks be to God Series: “Heaven and Nature Sing Joy to the World” Message – “Transformation of Our Lives” Tithes and Offering Offertory - *Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow #94 Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns *Prayer Hymn – Joy to the World #246 v. 1 Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer Communion - see insert *Closing Hymn – Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 196 Action Steps and Benediction Postlude Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or [email protected]