Weekly Bulletin Dec. 3, 2023

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF TOULON    December 3, 2023 – First Sunday in Advent                 

(*indicates to stand if able)

PRELUDE

CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)
Leader: Now is the time to wake from sleep,
People: Now is the time to keep watch and stay alert.
Leader: Now is the time for the bridegroom to appear,
People: Now is the time to prepare for Christ.
Leader: For the tables are about to turn over,
People: Those on the margins will be welcomed in.
Leader: The powerful will be brought down from their thrones,
People: The lowly raised up and the hungry filled.
Leader: Now is the time to be ready,
People: Now is the time God will make all things new.

*OPENING HYMN     “O Lord, How Shall I Meet You”     No. 104

LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE

Introduction:  Pam Sprout

Advent Litany and Lighting of the Candle

            The Richards Family       

Advent Prayer

            Thank you, God, for the hope you give us.  We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us.  Help us today, and everyday to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your hope with each other.  We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem.  Amen

ANNOUNCEMENTS, JOYS, AND CONCERNS

WORSHIPING THROUGH PRAYER

Prayers for the People

The Lord’s Prayer       

*GLORIA PATRI     No. 558

*SHARING SIGNS OF PEACE

SPECIAL MUSIC        

YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERMON                                    Jessie Richards                                                                                                        

WORSHIPING THROUGH GIVING                          

OFFERING

*DOXOLOGY     No. 563

*OFFERING PRAYER

*HYMN OF PREPARATION     “People, Look East”         No. 83

SCRIPTURE READING                       Jeremiah 33: 10-11, 14-18

                                                            Mark 8: 27-29

MESSAGE                                                                  Floyd Ham

*CLOSING HYMN                                                                  No. 89

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”                                                        

 *BENEDICTION

  POSTLUDE

Prayer Requests:

Please pass along your prayer requests to a member of the Deacons; Pam Sprout, Mary Hawk, or Janet Wilkinson

·        Jane Heaton

·        Judy Beamer

·        Heather Chandler (Michelle’s sister)

·        Trish Singleton

·        Donna Boardman

·        Sandy Langdon

·        Ed & Donna Jones

·        Al & Susan Kitterman and Phil Kitterman

·        Mary Lomelino

·        Colin Mills, Jordan Minder, & Jack Minders

·        Karen Steward (pending surgery)

·        Mary Rhodes

·        The Family of Linda Bolls

.                              UPCOMING EVENTS

Dec. 9 – Toulon Christmas Walk/Methodist Church Nativity, set-up at 2:00-4:00, pick-up 7:00-9:00, include a description and history

Dec. 17, 10:30 - Christmas Program and refreshments after the worship service

Dec. 24, 7 PM – Community Christmas Eve Service at Toulon Methodist, the speaker will be Ed Jones

Guest Speakers

• Dec. 10, Michelle West

• Dec. 17, Ed Jones

• Dec. 24, Ed Jones

• Dec. 31, Hymn Sing

• Jan. 7, Ed Wied