Sunday Worship Service
December 6, 2020
2nd Sunday in Advent
Bulletin for Sunday December 6th
2nd Sunday of Advent
Pastor – Rev. Bob Hill
Guest Minister – Rev. Tony Winter
Lay Leader– Amy Belden
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Communion Next Week – If possible, bring your own bread and juice
Christmas Eve – Thursday, December 24th at 5:30
Congregational Meeting – After Church on Sunday December 20th. There will be a Zoom Link.
Youth Sunday School Giving Tree – To replace all that was lost in Sunday School Rooms 1-3
BIRTH-A-VERSARY (First Sunday Each Month)
PRELUDE AND TIME OF PREPARATION: Song of the Shepherd Boy S. Arnold
(Scripture to be on Screen during Prelude but not read)
2 Peter 3:9.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
OPENING SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 85
I will listen to what God the LORD says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING: The Beldens
Speaker 1: Why do we light the Advent Candle of Peace?
Speaker 2: Because God spoke through the Prophet Ezekiel and said, “The people of God will no longer be plundered
by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid.”
Speaker 1: That time has begun but is not finished.
Speaker 2: But we light the second candle knowing that God will bring peace to the world and to our Lord’s people.
(Speaker 1 will light the candle)
Speaker 2: Let us pray:
Congregation: Lord of Peace
Thank you for the promise of hope, joy, and love. Help us to bring your peace into the world,
with the help from both Jesus and the Christ who will return. Amen
HYMN OF PRAISE: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” 93
CALL TO CONFESSION
Please Stand for the Call to Confession:
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin, knowing that God has already forgiven us.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy and loving God, we have dwelt in darkness and preferred it to the light; we have been proud of our accomplishments
and despaired over our shortcomings. Smooth down the mountains of our pride, and lift up the valleys of our doubts.
Open a path in the wilderness of our lives that we might find our way to you again. Refine us and prepare us once again
for life in your kingdom.
(Please offer your own silent prayers)
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
THE PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Leader: May the Peace of Christ be with you all
Response: And also with you
SINGING: “Surely the Presence of the Lord”
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
I can feel God's mighty power and God's grace.
I can hear the brush of angel's wings,
I see glory on each face.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
(By Lanny Wolfe, Copyright on File)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
SCRIPTURE LESSON: (Lay Leader will read) Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him
in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts
and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals
I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
ANTHEM: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Robert Robinson / Anonymous
Performed by Lee Holmes
SCRIPTURE LESSON: 2 Peter 3:8-15
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you,
not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire,
and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives
as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire,
and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless,
blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,
just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
SERMON: “A Bird’s Eye View”
HYMN: “Savior of the Nations, Come” 102
OFFERTORY: Harmony of the Angels J. F. Burgmüller
THE OFFERING:
Please consider the giving of your tithes and offerings during this time. If you are willing please mail them to
Hope Presbyterian Church-Admin
1698 S. Belcher St.
Clearwater, FL 33764
Or by setting up “Bill Pay” on your bank’s web page.
If you cannot give your tithe, please let us know so we can pray for what you are going through.
We have added an outside drop box for food for RCS.
Please consider dropping off some food if you venture to the Grocery Store.
THE DOXOLOGY: “Praise God, from Whom all Blessing Flow” 606
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Apostles’ Creed (Traditional) – Page 35
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
HYMN OF SENDING: “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” 104
POSTLUDE: Poco Allegretto C. Franck
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
RESPONSE: “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of ev'ry day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
(By Don Besig and Nancy Price, Copyright on File)
2nd Sunday of Advent
Pastor – Rev. Bob Hill
Guest Minister – Rev. Tony Winter
Lay Leader– Amy Belden
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Communion Next Week – If possible, bring your own bread and juice
Christmas Eve – Thursday, December 24th at 5:30
Congregational Meeting – After Church on Sunday December 20th. There will be a Zoom Link.
Youth Sunday School Giving Tree – To replace all that was lost in Sunday School Rooms 1-3
BIRTH-A-VERSARY (First Sunday Each Month)
PRELUDE AND TIME OF PREPARATION: Song of the Shepherd Boy S. Arnold
(Scripture to be on Screen during Prelude but not read)
2 Peter 3:9.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
OPENING SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 85
I will listen to what God the LORD says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING: The Beldens
Speaker 1: Why do we light the Advent Candle of Peace?
Speaker 2: Because God spoke through the Prophet Ezekiel and said, “The people of God will no longer be plundered
by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid.”
Speaker 1: That time has begun but is not finished.
Speaker 2: But we light the second candle knowing that God will bring peace to the world and to our Lord’s people.
(Speaker 1 will light the candle)
Speaker 2: Let us pray:
Congregation: Lord of Peace
Thank you for the promise of hope, joy, and love. Help us to bring your peace into the world,
with the help from both Jesus and the Christ who will return. Amen
HYMN OF PRAISE: “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” 93
CALL TO CONFESSION
Please Stand for the Call to Confession:
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin, knowing that God has already forgiven us.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Holy and loving God, we have dwelt in darkness and preferred it to the light; we have been proud of our accomplishments
and despaired over our shortcomings. Smooth down the mountains of our pride, and lift up the valleys of our doubts.
Open a path in the wilderness of our lives that we might find our way to you again. Refine us and prepare us once again
for life in your kingdom.
(Please offer your own silent prayers)
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
THE PASSING OF THE PEACE:
Leader: May the Peace of Christ be with you all
Response: And also with you
SINGING: “Surely the Presence of the Lord”
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
I can feel God's mighty power and God's grace.
I can hear the brush of angel's wings,
I see glory on each face.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
(By Lanny Wolfe, Copyright on File)
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
SCRIPTURE LESSON: (Lay Leader will read) Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him
in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts
and wild honey. And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals
I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
ANTHEM: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Robert Robinson / Anonymous
Performed by Lee Holmes
SCRIPTURE LESSON: 2 Peter 3:8-15
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you,
not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire,
and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives
as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire,
and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless,
blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,
just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
SERMON: “A Bird’s Eye View”
HYMN: “Savior of the Nations, Come” 102
OFFERTORY: Harmony of the Angels J. F. Burgmüller
THE OFFERING:
Please consider the giving of your tithes and offerings during this time. If you are willing please mail them to
Hope Presbyterian Church-Admin
1698 S. Belcher St.
Clearwater, FL 33764
Or by setting up “Bill Pay” on your bank’s web page.
If you cannot give your tithe, please let us know so we can pray for what you are going through.
We have added an outside drop box for food for RCS.
Please consider dropping off some food if you venture to the Grocery Store.
THE DOXOLOGY: “Praise God, from Whom all Blessing Flow” 606
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
STATEMENT OF FAITH
Apostles’ Creed (Traditional) – Page 35
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
HYMN OF SENDING: “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You” 104
POSTLUDE: Poco Allegretto C. Franck
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
RESPONSE: “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of ev'ry day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
Amen, Amen, Amen.
(By Don Besig and Nancy Price, Copyright on File)
