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Second Sunday of Advent

Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Cycle B, Series IV
First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
Theme: The Word of the Lord stands forever.


Call To Worship
Leader: Praise be to the Lord our God, Creator of Heaven and Earth!
People: The Lord our God is victorious, for no power can stand against God.
Leader: God speaks and the Universe trembles, for the Word of God stands forever.
People: Blessed are God's people, called to serve through the risen Christ.
Leader: Christ, who offers eternal life that all might dwell with God forever.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, we are so frail in time and space, yet You love us and desire to give us eternity. Only You, Lord, created the universe, and only You, Lord, are worthy of praise. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

O God, so often we have allowed the teachings and philosophies of the world to convince us eternity is impossible and life must be lived only for the pleasure we can receive in the moment. Forgive us, Lord, for we have failed to hear the Scriptures as they tell us of Your greatness and boldly proclaim through all time how Your Word shall stand forever. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Hymns

"Rejoice, The Lord Is King"
"Sing Praise To God Who Reigns Above"
"Jesus Shall Reign"

* * * * * * *

Second Lesson: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Theme: The patience of the Lord is for salvation.


Call To Worship
Leader: Let all who have known the mercy of the Lord come today for worship.
People: We were each lost and the Lord sought us and redeemed us.
Leader: For the Lord is patient and does not turn away when we are lost.
People: Yet we have often been slow to hear the call of Christ in our lives.
Leader: Praise be to God, whose patience and love has led to our salvation.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

God, in Your wonderful and loving way You have chosen to be the Good Shepherd, never giving up on finding us, Your lost sheep. You alone are worthy of our praise and our love, dear Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

O God, too often we have mistaken Your patience in seeking us out for Your acceptance of our sinful ways. Too often we have pushed the limits in life for our own desires and wandered further and further from the blessings You would work through our lives. Forgive us, Lord, and again lead us to become faithful servants in Your kingdom. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Isaiah 40:1-11

"Come, Sinners, To The Gospel Feast"
"God Of Grace And God Of Glory"
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"

* * * * * * *

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
Theme: Christ, our Savior, is coming.


Call To Worship
Leader: Rejoice! The Lord has heard our cries. One is coming who will save us all.
People: Praise be to God! Will this one lead us as a mighty warrior?
Leader: The One to come will redeem us through love and the Holy Spirit.
People: But will this New Kingdom be strong and respected and admired by all?
Leader: The One to come will reign over the hearts of all throughout eternity!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

Almighty God, whose mercy surpasses the bounds the human mind can comprehend, You sent the Christ to call us into Your family even when our vision was too small. We praise You, Lord! In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

Lord, so often we have tried to tell You what is best for us and our world instead of seeking Your eternal wisdom and guidance in prayer. Too often we have sought greatness and power by worldly standards and failed to hear Your call to serve even the poor and wounded around us. Forgive us, Lord, and give us the strength and courage to become Your servants anew. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Hymns

"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"
"Savior Of The Nations Come"
"How Great Thou Art"

UPCOMING WEEKS
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New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
Christopher Keating
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For August 17, 2025:
  • When Good News Is Bad News by Dean Feldmeyer based on Acts 2:1-21. Charles Darwin believed that the two most significant achievements in human history were the development of language and the harnessing of fire. Today we apply both, language and the symbol of fire, to our understanding of the gospel.

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Isaiah 5:1-7
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When does the status quo no longer seem to be working? In her book, The Last Flight Julie Clark begins with the seemingly flawlessly choreographed life of Claire Cook, the wife of a wealthy politician at the peak of this political dynasty. Despite the elegant surroundings of the Manhattan townhouse, staff of ten servants, life behind closed doors is different. Her husband Rory has a hot temper, and is abusive. There is also the memory of the mysterious death of his first wife.

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You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:56)

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John Jamison
Object: A fire extinguisher.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Great! Let’s get started. But I need to warn you that this is a really strange story. At least the things that Jesus says sound really strange. But let’s see if we can figure out what the story is really all about.

(Show the fire extinguisher.)  This is a little reminder that sometimes it is really hard to follow Jesus and do what he wants us to do!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus said that life would not be easy for Christians, but calls us to stand up for our beliefs. In our worship today let us acknowledge and explore the difficulties of standing as a Christian in today's society.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes we find it easier to go with the flow than to stand against other people.

Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the number of people who ignore you.

Christ, have mercy.

SermonStudio

James Evans
(See Advent 4, Cycle A, and Advent 1, Cycle B, for alternative approaches.)

William E. Keeney
49"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed! 51Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three; 53they will be divided:
father against son
and son against father,
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother,
mother-in-law against her
Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage is famously known as Isaiah's "Song of the Vineyard." It begins with the prophet singing, in what we would describe as troubadour-fashion, a love song about his dod, his friend, the beloved. Everyone is interested in a love affair, of course, and so the song is intended to capture the interest of Isaiah's listeners.
Clayton A. Lord Jr.
What can faith do? It can part a raging sea and allow a nation to walk through. What can faith do? It can knock down the walls of a fortified city so that God can prove a point. What can faith do? It can single out a woman who follows God's lead and protect her from certain death. Today many people are into "reality" television shows where individuals are put to extreme tests. We watch them because we like to see others battle against great odds and come out victorious.

Special Occasion

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