THE LORD’S DAY

An Order for Worship

First Sunday of Advent

November 30, 2025

 

Minister                                                                    The Reverend Bruce Hedman

Organist                                                                                                Brenda Pike

The Ministry of Praise

Organ Prelude

Call to Worship

*Pilgrim Hymnal No. 103                                                                        Stuttgart

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”

Prayer of Adoration and Lord’s Prayer (unison, using “debts”)

Prayer of Confession (unison):

O GOD, IN WHOM WE TRUST, AND WHO ART EVER TO BE FOUND BY THOSE WHO SEEK THEE:  WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE NOTHING OF OUR OWN THAT IS WORTHY OF THY LOVING-KINDNESS.  WE CONFESS THAT THERE IS MUCH IN US THAT DESERVES THY SORE DISPLEASURE.  FORGIVE US, WE BESEECH THEE, MERCIFUL FATHER.  LET US NOT BE BOUND BY THE CHAINS OF OUR PAST TRANSGRESSIONS.  SET US FREE TO SERVE THEE WITH WILLING MIND AND UNDIVIDED HEART, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

Assurance of Pardon

Psalter Reading (responsive):            Psalm 57          Selection 81              p. 524

*Gloria Patri

 

Lighting the Advent Wreathe

The First Candle of Advent                                             The Candle of Prophesy

 

The Fellowship of Prayer

Greetings and Announcements

Call to Prayer

Pastoral Prayer and Silent Prayer

Organ Response

The Offertory

Offertory Sentences & The Collection

*Doxology and Prayer of Dedication

*Gospel Song No. 244                                                                  English Melody

“The Lily of the Valley”

*  = “congregation please stand”

 

The Proclamation of the Word

Collect of the Day

Old Testament Lesson                                                                         Isaiah 2: 1-5

Epistle Lesson                                                                            Romans 13: 11-14

Gospel Lesson                                                                           Matthew 24: 36-44

Sermon                                                                                              Rev. Hedman

“Judge Not”

Ascription of Glory

*The Apostles’ Creed                      Selection 51                                         p. 511

*Pilgrim Hymnal No. 149                                                                          Bangor

“I Know Not How That Bethlehem’s Babe”

*Benediction

*Organ Postlude

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

On Dec.14th and Dec. 21st we will collect a special CHRISTMAS FUND offering for the benefit of retired clergy with special needs.  This is what formerly was called THE SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS.

 

If you have any pastoral concerns, please phone Bruce anytime at (860) 377-6190.

 

Remember to bring canned goods and nonperishable food stuffs for our local food bank.

 

Remember to save PULL-TABS off of cans in support of the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

 

Pray for our Service Personnel:

Seth Platt, Lucas Santerre, Paul Slevinski, Michael Ryan McCabe

 

Cycle of Prayer for our Area Churches:

The Pomfret Congregational Church

The Reverend Thomas Crumb

 

Prayer Concerns:

Don Pike

Donna Santerre

Heather O’Reilly

Diana Byron

Paul Lango

John Carter

Jay Varga

Charles Dingwell