A Congregation of the Reformed Church in America
Our Life, Ministry, and Mission: To Have Hearts Centered on Christ and Hearts Open to our Neighbors
Order of Worship
December 7, 2025 Second Sunday of Advent 10:00 AM
Our Approach to God
Prelude
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Children’s Message
Second Week of Advent – Peace Readers: Anthony Griffin, Dan Seklar, Ann Dieckman
Reader #1: “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
Congregation: “He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations.”
LIGHTING OF FIRST AND SECOND PURPLE CANDLES
Reader #1: (as candles are being lit): We light this candle of PEACE, the peace that comes from Jesus our Savior. We wait for the coming of the Christ child who can bring us true peace.
Congregation: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
Reader #2: He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Reader #3: Prayer: Lord Jesus, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Amen.
*Opening Praise Songs
“Who You Say I Am” -CCLI #7102401
“Let There Be Peace on Earth” -CCLI #93690
Call to Confession
People of God, God calls us to prepare the way of the Lord! Let us make our confession to God.
Prayer of Confession
It is Advent: The season in which we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ, the bringer of all peace. We confess to you the ways in which we block the peace of Christ in our lives.
God of peace, hear our prayer.
The rushing and scurrying to get things done,
we confess to you, O God of peace.
The worry about the little details,
we confess to you, O God of peace.
The financial burdens we put on ourselves,
we confess to you, O God of peace.
The impatience and irritability we feel and take out on one another,
we confess to you, O God of peace.
The bickering and quarreling we get into because we are too busy,
we confess to you, O God of peace.
Though we make ourselves less than peaceful at this time of the year, your peace is always there for us.
Instill within us your peace, O God.
When we feel overwhelmed,
instill within us your peace, O God.
When we are filled with worry,
instill within us your peace, O God.
When we become irritable,
instill within us your peace, O God.
When the guilt of our ways threatens to overcome us, help us to remember that we are forgiven in Christ.
Instill within us your peace, O God.
Instill within us your peace, O God, and help us to make choices that bring us closer to you. Help us to be more peaceful so that we may spread Christ’s peace and love to others.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
People of God, Hear the Good News of the Gospel! Christ was born! Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. Because of Him your sins are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
Guide for Grateful Living
People of God, you are called to be Peacemakers. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:18)
Choral Anthem “Dona Nobis Pacem”
(Grant Us Your Peace)
Offering
Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Word of God in Proclamation
Prayer of Inspiration
Scripture LUKE 1:57-80 (NIV Pew Bible, Pages 1458-1459)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “ZECHARIAH’S SONG”
Prayer of Application
*Passing of the Peace (across the aisle two times)
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Our Response to God
*Profession of Faith The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*Hymn of Response “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
*Closing Hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” -Hymn #88
*Benediction
Postlude
Prayer Leader is available after the service, by the front door of the Sanctuary, to pray for your needs.