The Lord’s Day

November 30, 2008

First Sunday of Advent

Prelude

Lighting of the Advent Candle Genesis 3:14, 15

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you will go, and dust you will eat all the days of your life; and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel.”

Musical Offering Savior of the Nations, Come

(text on facing page)

*Call to Worship Psalm 44:25, 26; Isaiah 9:2

Our soul has sunk down into the dust;

Our body cleaves to the earth.

Rise up, O God, be our help,

And redeem us for the sake of Your lovingkindness.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.

Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.

*Gloria Patri No. 734

*Prayer of Invocation

*Hymn Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus No. 196

Public Confession

Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy on Your people. Deliver us, we pray, from the misery of sin and the temptations that so easily beset us.

Forgive us for our expressions of pride. Instead, let our lives be marked by grace and humility. Forgive us for boasting in ourselves. Instead, teach us to sing Your praises only. Forgive us for lacking joy. Instead, cause our souls to overflow with thanksgiving.

For Your glory, give us discernment regarding our sin. Create in us hearts that thrive on goodness and truth.

Words of Assurance Galatians 5:2225

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Response In Thee, O Lord, I Put My Trust (following)

Prayer for the Tithe and Offerings

Collection of the Tithe and Offerings

*Doxology No. 731

*Declaring Our Faith¹ The Kirk (part 2)

This Kirk is catholic, that is, universal, because it contains the chosen of all ages, of all realms, nations, and tongues, be they of the Jews or be they of the Gentiles, who have communion and society with God the Father, and with His Son, Christ Jesus, through the sanctification of His Holy Spirit. It is therefore called the communion, not of profane persons, but of saints, who, as citizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, have the fruit of inestimable benefits, one God, one Lord Jesus, one faith, and one baptism. Out of this Kirk there is neither life nor eternal felicity. Therefore we utterly abhor the blasphemy of those who hold that men who live according to equity and justice shall be saved, no matter what religion they profess.

Pastoral Prayer

*Responsive Reading Psalm 9:1–8

I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;

I will tell of all Your wonders.

I will be glad and exult in You;

I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

When my enemies turn back, they stumble and perish before You.

For You have maintained my just cause;

You have sat on the throne judging righteously.

You have rebuked the nations,

You have destroyed the wicked;

You have blotted out their name forever and ever.

The enemy has come to an end in perpetual ruins, and You have uprooted the cities;

The very memory of them has perished.

But the Lord abides forever;

He has established His throne for judgment,

And He will judge the world in righteousness;

He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.

*Hymn Hail to the Lord’s Anointed No. 311

*Public Reading of the Word Hebrews 6

*Prayer for the Ministry of the Word

Sermon The Promise of His Coming

Hymn Thou Who Wast Rich beyond All Splendor No. 230

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper^

*Hymn Fountain of Never-Ceasing Grace No. 519

*Benediction

*Threefold Amen No. 740

* Congregation will please stand

⁺ Visitors: please see the note on the back of this bulletin