First Presbyterian Church of Niles
Morning Worship
World Communion
Second Sunday of Advent
10:00 A.M. December 7, 2025
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(* = stand if you are able)
PRELUDE
REFLECTION TEXT Psalm 72: 18-19
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advent Wreath Lighting (Responsive)
Advent reminds us that we are people who share a story…
…and a little child shall lead them”.
All: Today, we choose to live the story of peace, believing that true peace comes when we seek the flourishing of all God’s creation.
We light this candle of peace as a sign of our commitment to bring Light…
Light the second candle of the Advent wreath.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Advent Candle 85 (Vs. 2) Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah TIF IN VELDELE
Light two candles to watch for Messiah: Let the light banish darkness.
He shall feed the flock like a shepherd, gently lead them homeward.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive)
A shoot shall come forth from Jesse’s stump,
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him.
He will judge the poor with righteousness, and the meek with equity;
He will be clothed with righteousness and faithfulness.
The wolf and the lamb will live peacefully together,
The leopard and the kid will lie down side by side.
The cow and the bear will graze together; the lion will eat straw like the ox,
And a little child will lead them all.
They will neither hurt nor destroy on God’s holy mountain,
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of God, as the waters fill the sea.
OPENING PRAYER
*HYMN 106 Prepare the Way, O Zion BEREDEN VAG FOR HERRAN
Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley a level way appear.
Great One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
He brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding for grace and joy abounding.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Savior’s rule embrace,
And tidings of salvation proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing, their adoration voicing.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison)
God of Grace, we confess that we are not ready for you to come into our world — not quite yet. We cling to the known and familiar, afraid of the transformation your grace will bring. Yet you are always a step ahead of us, a voice crying out in the wilderness, inviting us into to bold new ways of being disciples. Humble us, O God, and teach us to do the work of repentance so that, fully reliant on your grace, we may know the richness of restored relationship with you and one another. Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENT AND PERSONAL CONFESSION
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (Responsive)
Friends, hear the good news: God’s mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. Before we repent and change our ways, God’s love has already claimed us as God’s own. Proclaim with me the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
PASSING THE PEACE (Responsive)
As God has forgiven us in Christ let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
The sharing of Christ’s peace.
RESPONSE Peace is Flowing Like a River TRADITIONAL
Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
His love is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING Romans 15: 4-13
SPECIAL MUSIC The Divine Expectation Arr. Martin
Chancel Choir
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free. From our fears and sins release us. Let us find our rest in Thee. Come, Lord Jesus. Veni Emmanuel! Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth, Thou art. Dear desire of ev’ry nation enter ev’ry longing heart. Born Thy people to deliver, born a Child, and yet a King. Come, Almighty, to deliver. Let us all Thy grace receive. Born to reign in us forever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring. Suddenly return, and nevermore Thy temples leave. By Thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone. By Thine all sufficient merit, raise us to Thy glorious throne. Love divine, all loves excelling joy of heaven to earth come down, fix in us Thy humble dwelling. All Thy faithful mercies crown. Come to us, O Child of wonder. Come and sing redemption’s song. Come, O come, and break our bonds asunder. Come and bring glorious dawn. Come, Emmanuel!
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING Matthew 3: 1-12
MESSAGE Repent! Rev. Christopher Mergener
*HYMN The Baptist Shouts on Jordan’s Shore WINCHESTER NEW
The Baptist shouts on Jordan’s shore, the earth shakes with the mighty roar,
Awake, lazy sleep now flee; behold, the voice of prophecy!
Clean up your hearts, lay down the way, for God approaches day by day;
Prepare for such a worthy heir; for such a guest your house prepare.
Through you, O Jesus, you alone salvation, solace, strength are known;
Without your love we fade like grass, like wilted flowers our lives will pass.
O One who comes to set us free, O child, to you our song will be,
With Father, Spirit mothering, to you shall praise forever ring!
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (In Unison)
God’s redeeming work in Jesus Christ embraces the whole of human life: social and cultural, economic and political, scientific and technological, individual and corporate. It includes our natural environment as exploited and despoiled by sin. God wills that God’s purpose for human life shall be fulfilled under the rule of Christ, and all evil be banished from God’s creation. Already God’s reign is present as a ferment in the world, stirring hope in all people and preparing the world to receive its ultimate judgment and redemption.
With an urgency born of this hope, the church applies itself to present tasks and strives for a better world. It does not identify limited progress with the kingdom of God on earth, nor does it despair in the face of disappointment and defeat. In steadfast hope, the church looks beyond all partial achievement to the final triumph of God.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE & THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Almighty God, creator of heaven and earth.
And so, with your people on earth
and all the company of heaven
we praise your name and join their unending hymn.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!
Holy are you and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ….
…in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here…
…The table is ready, come, come and partake in this festive feast.
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
Offertory Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Arr. Carter
*DOXOLOGY 144 (Vs 4) What Can I Give Him? CRANHAM
What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
PREPARATION FOR PRAYERS 103 (Vs. 2) Come, Now, O Prince of Peace O-SO-SO
Come now, O God of love; make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Responsive)
Lord in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (In Unison)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom 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 kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
*HYMN Emmanuel, Emmanual MCGEE
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.
God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
All music is reproduced under permission from ccli.com License #11146543.
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