“Follow the light. . .

Of hope’s guiding star.”

Celebration of Worship Sunday, November 29, 2020

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Prelude Nun komm, der heiden Heiland, BWV 659 J.S. Bach “Savior of the Nations, Come” Jason Cloen, organ

Words of Welcome Rev. Deb Swift

Chime Introit O Come, O Come Emmanuel Arr. John Ferguson Ben Magruder, viola

Call to Worship Becky Wiggins (adapted from Flames of the Spirit: Resources for Worship, edited by Ruth C. Duck)

One: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Many: The light shines even in the places where shadows touch our lives. One: Rejoice, then, you people, for Christ’s presence lives among us,

Many: And brings light to our world.

One: Jesus, you are the hope of humanity, the one in whom all things are

possible.

Many: Come and be with us here, we ask, that we might live into the hope

of captives freed and find meaning in the light you send to our lives.

Hymn Live Into Hope TRURO

(Music on next page)

Reprinted with permission under One License, License # A-707805. All rights reserved.

Centering Prayer Becky Wiggins God of Light, who shines in deepest darkness, we can hear you calling us out of hopelessness into hope. These are days of waiting. Waiting for the Holy Hope to be reborn within us; waiting for the path to be made clear; waiting to exhale from this time of uncertainty. Shine your light on our path; make your way plain before us as we center in you, Great Spirit. Instill in us the courage to step into your light. And in the quiet calm before dawn, awaken in us the ancient plea, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Come and be “God with us” in this time and place as we open our hearts and wait for the birth of your light. Amen.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

Song While We Are Waiting, Come (Verse 1) WAITING (Music on next page)

One: The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting One, The Prince of Peace.

Many: Today we give thanks for the prophets among us, who bring to us surprising new visions of hope, who challenge us to think outside the box, who show us a future we never anticipated.

One: On this first Sunday of Advent, we light our first candle as a symbol of HOPE, the hope that is to come through today’s prophets who lead us on the justice road. Let us pray:

Many: God, you spoke through prophets to rekindle hope in your people – hope for what was yet to come, and Holy One, you are still speaking to us today. You welcome us as we live into the future that you are calling us toward. Help each one of us to become a prophet of hope in our world, we ask. Amen.

Song While We Are Waiting, Come (Verse 1) WAITING

Reprinted with permission under One License, License # A-707805. All rights reserved.

Scripture Reading Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 Becky Wiggins

Good News Translation Music for Reflection Lost in the Night Finnish Folk Tune Arr. Kyle S. Haugen “Lost in the night do the people yet languish, Longing for morning the darkness to vanquish, Plaintively heaving a sigh full of anguish, Will not day come soon? Will not day come soon?

Must we be vainly awaiting the morrow? Shall those who have light no light let us borrw, Giving no heed to our burden of sorrow? Will you help us soon? Will you help us soon?

Sorrowing wanderers, in darkness yet dwelling, Dawned has the day of a radiance excelling, Death’s dreaded darkness forever dispelling. Christ is coming soon. Christ is coming soon.”

Traditional Finnish text translated by Olav Lee Reprinted with permission under One License, License # A-707805. All rights reserved.

Meditation “Quietly awaiting its unfolding” Rev. Swift Music for Reflection Lights Upon Our Souls Nick Page “The Light of sun and moon and stars, Lights upon our souls, Light, Lights upon our souls and gives us life, Compassion is the key to life. Compassion is the key. To give as has been given to you. Renew your soul and go within to find your light. The sun gives light to feed the Earth. The soul gives love to feed the light.” Text: Nick Page Reprinted with permission under One License, License # A-707805. All rights reserved.

Shout Out for Stewardship Becky Wiggins

Prayers of Healing and Transformation Rev. Swift Prayer of Jesus Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Spirit 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 Spirit, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Closing Hymn Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus STUTTGART (Music on Next Page) Benediction (responsive) Rev. Swift

Follow the light of hope’s guiding star. Seek the child. Listen to the words of the heavenly host. Find the child. Offer as gifts the best you have. Serve the child. Peace be among us, God, with us. Let us be the child.

We are on our way to the Bethlehem in our hearts. Let us go forth to love and serve the Spirit. Let us go forth to love and serve the people. Postlude Soon and Very Soon Richard Smallwood Arr. Tim Lambert

Thank you to. . .

Participants: Rev. Deb Swift, Becky Wiggins, Alan Jones, and Jason Cloen

Choir Members: Marrlee Burgess, Juli Elliot, Carol Kerner, Brenda Tremblay, Ben Magruder, David Henkle, Rob Kerner, Tim Lambert, and Alan Jones. Jason Cloen, piano, Lee Wright, conductor

Sound Engineers: Donald Fairman, David McDowell, and Ben Magruder (Choral Music) Website integration: Mark Anderson

Reprinted with permission under One License, License # A-707805. All rights reserved.

The Downtown Church Staff

The Rev. Dr. Pat Youngdahl, Senior Pastor

The Rev. Kathryn Kelly, Associate Pastor

Jackie Griffin, Nursery Coordinator Mark Anderson, Director of Operations Joseph Taylor, Maintenance Supervisor

Ed Verna, Maintenance Moses Nhial, Maintenance

Robert Clement, Maintenance

Dr. Lee S. Wright, Director of Music Ministry

Jason Cloen, Associate Musician Alan Jones, Associate Musician

Penny Crudup, Church Secretary

David Mear, Business Manager

Teresa Ward, Bookkeeper

& Receptionist Coordinator

Keisha Betts, Receptionist

Theresa Reddick, Receptionist

Parish Leaders

John DeHority, Bill Mackey, Co-clerks of Session Joan Mackey, Moderator of Deacons

121 N. Fitzhugh Street, Rochester, NY 14614 Telephone: (585) 325-4000 ~ Fax: (585) 325-6023

E-Mail: office@DowntownPresbyterian.org www.DowntownPresbyterian.org