December 7 - 9 AM Connect Service

December 7, 2025 – 9 a.m. Connect Worship Service 

Second Sunday of Advent / Lord’s Supper 

Rev. Robert Galloway

Gathering - Kevin Clark

1st Gathering Song: “Thanks and Praise” - FPC Praise Band 

2nd Gathering Song: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” - FPC Praise Band  

Lighting of the Advent Candle of Peace based on Psalm 122 - Ron Braun & Carol Riley

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

Peace is more than stillness or the absence of fighting.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

Peace is contentment, wholeness, trust in the midst of doubt and comfort with mystery.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

The way of Christ is a way of peace. Those who travel this way are committed to its cause.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

In God’s house, God’s people work for justice and remember that divisions and hierarchies established by the world do not give life or joy.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

Here we pray for the peace of all nations, all communities, all souls.  

God’s house is a house of peace.  

This 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.  

God’s house is a house of peace.

Hymn #88: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” vv. 3 and 4 VENI EMMANUEL 

O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height  

in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.   

  Refrain:  Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.  

O come, thou Root of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny;  

from depths of hell thy people save and give them victory o’er the grave. [Refrain] 

Prayer - Ron Braun & Carol Riley

Passing the Peace - Ron Braun & Carol Riley

…The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.         

Response: “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” - FPC Praise Band 

Welcome & Friendship Pad Announcement - Rev. Robert Galloway

Time for Young Disciples - Robert Galloway 

Prayer for Illumination - Lynne Mormino

First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 - Lynne Mormino

Sermon Scripture: Matthew 3:1-12 - Robert Galloway

…The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

Sermon: "Lives Worthy of Repentance" - Robert Galloway

Worship Song: “O Holy Night” - FPC Praise Band

Affirmation of Faith: Apostles’ Creed (unison) - Lynne Mormino 

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

Invitation to Offering - Lynne Mormino

Offertory Song: “Good Good Father” - FPC Praise Band 

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper - Robert Galloway

Invitation 

The Great Thanksgiving  

The Lord be with you. And also with you. 

Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise..  

Prayer continues... 

We pray all these things as our Savior taught us, using the words:  
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.    

Words of Institution 

The Bread and the Cup 

Prayer of Thanksgiving (unison):  

God of grace, you renew us at your table with the bread of life and cup of salvation. You nourish us with your unending love. May this gift of grace strengthen us in faith, deepen our love for one another, and empower us to serve you with joy and compassion. Guide us to live as Christ’s disciples in the world. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may be witnesses to your love in all we do. Amen.

Announcements (for complete list, please see below) - Robert Galloway

Final Worship Song: “How Can I Keep from Singing” - FPC Praise Band 

Benediction - Robert Galloway                             

Praise Band tag

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Announcements:

Today, December 7

  • A Stephen Minister is available at the close of this service

Monday, December 8

  • Lectio/Visio Divina, 10 a.m., via Zoom

  • Faith & Fiction, 4 p.m., meeting at Harbour Hill

Wednesday, December 10

  • Praise Band Rehearsal, 7 p.m., Youth Center

Thursday, December 11

  • Bell Choir rehearsal, 6 p.m., Choir Room

  • Chancel Choir rehearsal, 7 p.m., Choir Room

Friday, December 12

  • Men’s Bible Study (in the book of Acts), 8 a.m., Room N-123

  • Men's Lunch Bible Study, 12 p.m., via Zoom 

Sunday, December 14

  • 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 2), 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:

  • 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.

  • Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, Church Office closed for the Christmas holiday 

Amy McCutcheon