Sunday Worship live

Second Sunday of Advent
December 5, 2021
Morning Worship 10:00 am

Watchword for the Week: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. Luke 1:68

Welcome and Announcements
Rev. Ginny Hege Tobiassen

Prelude - Wake, Awake for Night Is Flying
T. Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
setting by J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Lighting of the Advent Candle
Anderson/Humphrey Family  

Call to Worship

Liturgy: Advent 2, pg.54-58

Scripture Lessons       

Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 1:68-79

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for the Lord has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 
He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 
Thus, he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, 
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 3:1-6

Hymn 275 – Faithful Soul, Behold Your King
T. Gläubige Seel

Epistle Lesson :   Philippians 1:1-18
Rev. Andrew L. Heil

Sermon - Growing the Gospel

Hymn 751 – God of Grace and God of Glory
T. Cwm Rhondda

Reflection on Giving

The offertory provides an opportunity to reflect on the many ways that we can express our gratitude in response to God: with time, treasure, talents, and testimony.

For financial giving online:

• Use the Moravian Ministries Foundation giving portal at https://mmfa.info/giving-portal/
• Click the “Give Now” button on any page of the Home Church website. For more information, go to HomeMoravian.org/online-giving. You can make one-time or recurring gifts.
• Text HOME to 73256 on your phone.

Invitation

Anthem - Be Thou My Vision
Hymn, arr. Graham Godfrey (1949)
Choir

Doxology

Offertory Prayer

Prayers for the Church and the World

Hymn 265 – Savior of the Nations, Come
T. Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland

Benediction

Choral Response

Postlude - Savior of the Nations, Come
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, 1524
setting by Karen Keene (2001)

The flowers are placed in the Sanctuary today in loving memory of Bob Williams by Hessie Williams and the family.

Thank you for wearing a mask in worship today. Doing so shows hospitality to those who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised. Our Board of Elders and Safety Ministry Team regularly revisit the use of masks and will quickly communicate any updates. Again, thank you for your act of hospitality.

The Music@Home concert series will present a holiday concert by the UNCSA Cantata Singers, soloists and a professional orchestra on December 12^th at 3pm in Home Church’s Sanctuary. The concert will include J.S. Bach’s Cantata 191 Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Friedrich William Zachow’s Un ist ein Kind geboren (Unto Us a Child is Born) and a service of carols and poems.  All patrons attending the concert must present proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test, and masks are required. 

ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Gathering the Greens and Decorating the Church - We will have the regular Christmas decorations in the sanctuary this year.  As usual we will need many hands to accomplish this.  Please save the following dates and plan to join us: December 13 and 14 for gathering the greens from Cedar Avenue in God’s Acre, starting at 11:00 a.m. on the first day.  We will be preparing the garlands on Friday, December 17, beginning at 1:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  A light supper will be served from 5:00 – 6:15, observing the Wednesday night protocol of safe distancing.  We will need a large crew of people around 6:30 to move the garlands to the sanctuary and assist in their hanging. Please come and help whenever you are able. For questions, please call I.B. Southerland at 336-409-5175.

New Date! Blue Christmas Gathering on Tuesday December 14 at 5:30 pm (Saal).  The holiday season can be difficult for anyone suffering loss, hurt, or isolation.  Our “Blue Christmas” gathering will provide an opportunity to acknowledge our griefs simply by being together, whether by naming or with silence. On Tuesday, December 14 at 5:30 pm, you are invited to gather in the Saal for a quiet service featuring music, listening, and poetry. Please feel welcome to share this invitation with someone you know.  Contact the church for more information or send an email to Terry Ann Overton, chair of the Congregational Care Ministry Team: toverton@triad.rr.com. 

PERSONALS

Receiving Palliative care:  Arthur Spaugh

Recovering in rehab at Salemtowne:  Graham Smith, Margie Wakeman

Recovering at home: Roberta Pettit 

We embrace in sympathy:

...the family and friends of Aurelia Biggs, associate member, who died Wednesday, November 25, in Knoxville, TN.

...the family and friends of Patti Hoffman, who died on Saturday, November 27.