Welcome to Livingston United Methodist Church! Whether you are here in person or watching online, an active member, or one-time guest, we hope you will take a moment to sign in to our virtual attendance book.
Please text Pastor Jim at (614) 313-1482 with prayer requests.
* indicates an invitation to rise in body or in spirit, as you are able
Prelude
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Setting by John Carter
Geistliche Kirchengesäng, 1599
Chris Warner, Organist
Welcome
Pastor Jim
Mission Statement
To follow God’s calling, reaching out in His love, hospitality, hope and healing so that all may experience and share the joy of belonging to Him, regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, economic status, living situation, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
*Call to Worship
Jen Brizendine
One: John the Baptist said, “Prepare the way.” So family of faith, how do we prepare our minds for worship?
All: We silence the inner critic. We let go of busy thoughts. We make space for God to speak.
One: How do we prepare our hearts for worship?
All: We bless all emotions. We feel what we feel. We open ourselves up to be moved.
One: How do we prepare our bodies for worship?
All: We take in the scent, sight, and feel of this space. We breathe in God’s mercy. We exhale God’s love.
One: How do we prepare our souls for worship?
All: We bring our full selves into this space. We wear our hearts on our sleeves. We trust that even now, God is here.
One: Family of faith, what we practice in worship, we must live out in our daily lives. So prepare the way. Let us worship Holy God.
*Opening Hymn
Hail to the Lord's Anointed
James Montgomery and William Henry Monk
© Public Domain | CCLI Song # 554926
1 Hail to the Lord's Anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed,
his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
to set the captive free;
to take away transgression,
and rule in equity.
2 He comes with succor speedy
to those who suffer wrong;
to help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying,
are precious in his sight.
3 He shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth;
love, joy, and hope, like flowers,
spring in his path to birth.
Before him, on the mountains,
shall peace, the herald, go,
and righteousness, in fountains,
from hill to valley flow.
4 To him shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never
his covenant remove;
his name shall stand forever;
that name to us is love.
Advent Wreath Lighting
Jim: I dream of the first pitch of opening season.
Angie: I dream of a laundry day, where each sock finds its mate.
Jim: I dream of family home for the holidays.
Angie: I dream of good books and homemade meals.
Jim: I dream of sunset drives with the windows down.
Angie: These are beautiful dreams, but I also have urgent dreams.
Jim: I dream of conversations across party lines.
Angie: I dream of more bridges and less walls.
Jim: I dream of more laughter and less fear.
Angie: I dream of more listening and less tears.
Jim: But most of all, I dream of peace like a river.
Angie: Today we light the candle of peace.
The second candle of Advent, the candle of Peace, is lit.
Angie: May it remind us that there is another way. Amen.
Hebrew Scripture Reading
Isaiah 40:1-11
*Praise Time
God Almighty, We Are Waiting
Ann Bell Worley and Rowland Prichard
© 2005 Hope Publishing Company |
1 God Almighty, we are waiting
for a Savior to appear.
Meet us in our desert journey;
give a sign that you are near:
burning bushes, parted waters,
food aplenty in the wild.
As we look for signs and wonders,
help us see you in a child.
2 God Incarnate, we are waiting
for the feast day of your birth.
Looking back and looking forward
to the Christ's return to earth.
Help us to proclaim the gospel,
'til the world is reconciled.
Let us set your holy table
for each woman, man, and child.
3 God the Spirit, we are waiting
for your presence here and now.
Humbled by our sinful weakness,
at your mercy we will bow.
Search our hearts and make us ready,
speak in language strong and mild,
help each one of us, your people,
to receive you like a child.
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming
Theodore Baker and Michael Praetorius
© Public Domain | CCLI Song # 141315
1 Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
as those of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
amid the cold of winter,
when half spent was the night.
2 Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
the Rose I have in mind;
with Mary we behold it,
the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God's love aright,
she bore to us a Savior,
when half spent was the night.
3 O Flower, whose fragrance tender
with sweetness fills the air,
dispel in glorious splendor
the darkness everywhere.
True man yet very God,
from sin and death now save us,
and share our every load.
Children's Moments
Pastor Angie
Jesus Loves the Little Children
George Frederick Root and Clare Herbert Woolston
© Public Domain | CCLI Song # 58415
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Morning, evening, day and night,
They are precious in His sight -
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Prayer Requests / Prayers of the People
Please text Pastor Jim at (614) 313-1482 with prayer requests.
Prayer Response
Psalm 85:1-13 | UMH 806 Psalter
Sung Response: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
1 Lord, you showed favor to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;
you pardoned all their sin.
3 You withdrew all your wrath;
you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?
Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,
so that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
Sung Response: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
8 Let me hear what God will speak,
for the Lord will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to the Lord in their hearts.
9 Surely salvation is at hand for those who fear the Lord,
that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.
12 The Lord will give what is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before the Lord,
and make God's footsteps a way.
Sung Response: The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
The Offering
To support our ministries, Livingston United Methodist Church depends on the financial support of our members and friends of the church like you. Visit our Donate page to give your gift today.
Offertory Music
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
“From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus…” (Acts 13:23)
Arranged by Jay Rouse
Chris Warner, Organist
Offertory Prayer
*The Gospel Reading
Mark 1:1-8
Jen: The Word of God for the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Message
Those Who Dream...Prepare the Way
Pastor Angie
*Closing Hymn
People, Look East
Words: Eleanor Farjeon; Music: Trad. French carol; harm. by Martin Shaw
© Words by permission of David Higham Assoc. Lit.; harm. by permission of Oxford University Press | CCLI Song # 564318
1 People, look east. The time is near
of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Guest, is on the way.
2 Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
one more seed is planted there.
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
that in the course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love the Rose, is on the way.
3 Stars, keep watch. When night is dim,
one more light the bowl shall brim,
shining beyond the frosty weather,
bright as the sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Star, is on the way.
4 Angels announce with shouts of mirth
him who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Benediction
The week's announcements are available on our Announcements page.
Postlude
People, Look East
Arranged by Robert Lau
Tune: Besançan
French carol
Chris Warner, Organist
We encourage parishioners to remain seated and enjoy the talents of our organist during the Postlude.
CCLI License # 1578683