November 30 - 9 AM Connect Service
9 a.m. Connect Worship Service
November 30, 2025 – First Sunday of Advent
Rev. Robert Galloway
Gathering and Welcome - Kevin Clark
1st Gathering Song: “The First Nowell” - FPC Praise Band
2nd Gathering Song: “The Heart of Worship” - FPC Praise Band
Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope Based on Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 (responsive) - Bill Shelton
Our God is the hope of ages past and for the generations to come.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
Human rulers fall short, yet our God rules in perfection.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
The rivers, mountains, and creatures are beloved to their Creator and their trust is not misplaced.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
The mighty acts of God are wondrous, of which nothing is equal.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
The first candle is a reminder that we are Advent people, trusting and responding to what is already true and hoping in what is promised to come.
Blessed be God’s glorious name forever. Let the earth be filled with God’s glory.
Hymn #88: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” vv. 1 and 2 VENI EMMANUEL
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily: to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go. [Refrain]
Prayer - Bill Shelton
Passing the Peace - Bill Shelton
…The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Response: “Sanctuary” - FPC Praise Band
Welcome & Friendship Pad Announcement - Robert Galloway
Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway
Prayer for Illumination - Gretchen Letterman
First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5 - Gretchen Letterman
Sermon Scripture: Matthew 24:36-44 - Robert Galloway
…The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Sermon - Robert Galloway
Worship Song: “A Thousand Hallelujahs” - FPC Praise Band
Affirmation of Faith: from A Brief Statement of Faith (unison) - Bill Ferrari
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace. In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit, we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks and to live holy and joyful lives, even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth, praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Invitation to Offering - Bill Ferrari
…Please join me in a unison Prayer of Dedication:
Gracious God, receive these gifts as signs of our gratitude and hope. Shape our generosity into acts of compassion, that your light may shine through our living and your peace may grow in this world. Strengthen our hands for the work you set before us, and ready our hearts for the day when all creation walks in your light. Amen.
Offertory Song: “Christmas Time Is Here” - FPC Praise Band
Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer - Robert Galloway
Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Robert Galloway
Final Worship Song: “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus (Soothe Our Weary Souls)” - FPC Praise Band
Benediction - Robert Galloway
Praise Band tag
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Announcements:
Today, November 30
A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service
Monday, December 1
Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m., via Zoom
Tuesday, December 2
Decorating the worship spaces for Christmas, starting at 9:30 a.m.
Many Moods rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, December 3
Children’s Ministry Christmas Party, 6 p.m., Fellowship Hall
Many Moods rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Praise Band Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center
Thursday, December 4
Many Moods rehearsal, 6 p.m.
Friday, December 5
Many Moods of Christmas benefit concert, 7 p.m., Sanctuary
Sunday, December 7
Childcare available 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pickups, Room S-203
Connect Service, 9 a.m., Youth Center
New Member Inquirer’s Class (Part 1), Church Office
Power Hour class, 10 a.m., Church Office Conference Room
Children’s Sunday School, (Pre-K-2nd grade), 10 a.m., S-100
Faith Journey class, 9:45 a.m., Chapel
“Next” Adult class, 10 a.m., Room N-123
Upcoming Events:
Monday, December 8, 4 p.m., Faith & Fiction, meeting at Harbour Hill
Sunday, December 14, 10:00 a.m., New Member Inquirer’s Class (Part 2), Church Office
Wednesday, December 17, 6:00 p.m., “Festive Fun” Fellowship Dinner, Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, December 24, Christmas Eve! Family-friendly service at 4 p.m., Lessons & Carols service at 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 25, Church Office closed for Christmas holiday