Oil City First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church of Oil City

7 days ago

Morning Worship Service
1st Sunday of Advent
December 1, 2024
10:30 in the morning

The Gathering of God’s People
(Where you see an asterisk (*) please stand as you are able.)

Welcome and Announcements:

The Prelude: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” - R. Schulz-Widmar
Steve Winslow, Organist

Responsive Call to Worship:
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: Amen.
Leader: Prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the desert a highway for our God!
People: Be strong and courageous, be careful to live according to everything Moses commanded.
Leader: Do not let God’s Word depart from your mouth.
People: But meditate on it day and night.
Leader: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
People: Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts because nothing is impossible with our God!

Opening Prayer:

Advent Candle Lighting: Dawn Kerna

*Hymn of Praise: “Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty” #482

*Call to Confession:

*Responsive Prayer of Confession:
Leader: For lack of reverence; for calculating minds; for going along with the majority—
People: O Christ, forgive us.
Leader: For selfishness that dares not face truth; laziness content with half-truth; for artificial life and worship—
People: O Christ, forgive us.
Leader: For self-indulgence; for being pompous and puffed up with self-importance—
People: O Christ, forgive us.
Leader: For cynicism about our fellow Christians; for cruel indifference; for being satisfied with things as they are and failing to trust that with you nothing is impossible—
People: O Christ, forgive us.
Leader: For token concern for the poor, the lonely and the loveless people; for confusing faith with good feelings—
People: O Christ, forgive us.
Leader: For everything in us that hides your divine power—
People: Lord, have mercy! Christ, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

<A time for silent confession of personal sin is kept>

*Assurance of Forgiveness:
Leader: …Therefore, you are fully and forever forgiven in Jesus’ name.
All: Nothing is impossible with our God!

*Passing of the Peace:
Leader: …The peace of the Lord be with you!
All: And also, with you!

*Gloria Patri: “Glory Be to the Father” #579

We Hear God’s Word

Anthem: “Mary, Did You Know?” -Lowry
Sanctuary Choir

Prayer for Illumination:

Scriptures:
Old Testament Reading: Joshua 1: 7-9
New Testament Reading: Colossians 3: 15-17
Gospel Reading: Luke 1: 26-38

Sermon: “Open The Door” Pastor, Josh Botts

We Respond to God’s Word

*Hymn of Response: “Here I Am, Lord” #525

*Affirmation of Faith: (Adapted from Romans 8)
All: We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Sharing of Joys and Concerns:

Prayers of the People:

The Prayer Response: (Sung in unison)
Hear our prayer, O Lord; Hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline Thine ear to us, and grant us Thy peace. Amen.

Invitation to Offering:
The Giving of Our Offering:
Offertory: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” - Arr. Katrina Wreede
Elaine Armstrong, Violin

*Doxology: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” #592

*Prayer of Dedication:

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Invitation:
Great Thanksgiving:
Leader: The Lord be with you
People: And also, with you
Leader: Lift up your Hearts
People: We Lift them to the Lord
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise

Communion: The ushers will serve the communion elements.
We hold the bread until all have been served so that we may remember that Christ died for all of us; and partake of the cup as it is received in remembrance that Christ died for each of us.

Sending Forth
*Closing Hymn: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” #2

*Benediction:

The postlude provides the transition from sacred worship back into our varied lives and activities, equipped with renewed courage, energy, and a commitment to serve God and others, until we are able to meet again, in worship. We invite you to remain seated.
Postlude: “Come, O Savior, Come” - J.S. Bach
<Portions of the Liturgy adapted from the Presbyterian Outlook, the Abingdon Worship Annual, and other online resources>

Announcements
Tom Huston, Worship Leader
The Flowers in the Sanctuary are given to the Glory of God in memory of Vincent & Marguerite Hays

Today’s Ushers are: Kim Braun, Becky & Mike Russell, and Curt Greene.
Welcome to all visitors who have come to worship with us today! If you’re new here, today, please fill out the Welcome Card in your pew. We’d love to get to know you! The Nursery is open during worship, and hearing-assist devices and large print bulletins are available. See an Usher for assistance.

Advent Candle Readers Needed: If you would like to or a willing to be an Advent Candle lighter/reader, please see Josh or Margo.

Sunday School: Tom Huston is leading a new study entitled, “On Purpose: Finding God’s Voice in Your Passion.” We’ll listen to a new speaker each week.

Women’s Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1:30pm in the Adult Wing. This month will focus on Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The last class will be on December 17th.

Book Club will meet Jan. 14th, 5pm at Double Play Restaurant. We are reading, “We Were The Lucky Ones” by Georgia Hunter. See Kathy if you need a copy of the book.

Christmas Joy Offering will be collected Christmas Eve. You may send it or drop it off to the Church anytime. Donations for this offering are used to help Pastors/Students in leadership roles: Retired, Presently Serving, or Future Leaders of our Church.

Mary’s Christmas Party: Ladies, mark your calendars! Join us at Hoss’s at Noon on Thursday, December 12th for our annual party. Please bring a $5 wrapped gift for the gift exchange. In addition to the gift exchange, guest are encouraged to bring an optional gift of a small bottle of shower gel/body lotion, to donate to the Oakwood Heights Nursing Home, to bring the residents a little cheer to the season. Thank you to Jenny for everything you do to make this fun day possible! Sign up in the Narthex.

Christmas Bags: Presbyterian Women are filling Christmas bags for Sugar Valley Lodge residents! Grab a bag & sign up in the Narthex. You may also donate money instead, if you don’t like to shop. Bags are due back by Dec. 15th. PW will also purchase a pillow & case for each resident.
2025 God’s Creation Calendars are available for a donation of $7 in the Narthex. Your donations help support local missions.

Need a ride to Church? Contact Dawn Kerna (814)-758-2168. ... See MoreSee Less