Trinity Presbyterian Church Online Worship Service
for December 6, 2020 – Second Sunday of Advent
Welcome and Announcements
Welcome to Trinity Presbyterian Church’s online worship service!
If you prefer, you can view this service on our Worship Service Player. In the player, the service plays from start to finish without interruption. To try that version of the worship service, click HERE.
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
2024/04/19-00:19:16-UTC 37th ols; 34woc; 5waro
Trinity has returned to Indoor Worship with LIMITED seating at 10AM on Sundays. In addition to limited seating, there are several details you should know before attending. Please read about them in our Guide to Indoor Worship.
Please fill in your 2021 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you need a new pledge card, please contact the church office for a replacement or print your own by clicking this link or the pledge card image. Once filled in, they may be turned in to the church or mailed to the church office. May God richly bless our generosity as we return to God a small portion of what He has given to us.
Trinity’s Bible Study is available online. Visit our website or Facebook page to view a video from Rev. Beebe. A new video will be released each week and will be available to watch whenever it is convenient for you. You can also ‘catch-up’ anytime at the Bible Study archive. To be included in our weekly email, simply subscribe to the website or join our Facebook group. Links to subscribe and join are at the bottom of our webpage.
Portions of the liturgy we use in the service are provided by Sanctified Art. Where used, they are identified with a superscript 2 (similar to this2). A copyright acknowledgment is at the bottom of this worship page.
Briefly, a word concerning the technical presentation of this service. If you are having difficulty reading the words, look for your web browser’s “Zoom” settings. The keystrokes are typically ‘Ctrl-Shift-+’ to increase the zoom or ‘Ctrl-Shift-(minus)’ to decrease the zoom. Other devices may have a different mechanism (‘finger pinch’), but most support zoom.
Although you could not be with us in-person today, we hope you will have a meaningful Sunday worship experience!
This week’s bulletin is available at any time by clicking this link. The bulletin will open in a separate tab or window.
Please note the bulletin matches the order of service on this page, but there are additional items that may be of interest to you that are not included on this worship page.
Today’s service contains:
Preparation for Worship
Prelude “Immanuel” with “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Call to Worship
Hymn #88 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Candle Lighting
Prayer of Confession
Anthem “What Child is This”
The Road to Bethlehem
Affirmation of Faith
Prayers of the People
The Lord’s Prayer
Responsive Reading
Prayer for Illumination
Old Testament Reading
Hymn #82 “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
Gospel Lesson
Meditation “One to Come”
Sending
Congregational Response (Hymn #306)
Offering
Postlude “He Shall Feed His Flock”
Preparation for Worship
Let us join together now and prepare for worship.
Dear Family of God – these are trying days in God’s beloved world. As Christ’s Church, sustained by the Holy Spirit, we have gifts and a call by which to care for one another and our neighbors. Worship in which we encounter our living God and know ourselves connected to the body continues. So this day, even though we worship at a distance, we read the same Scriptures, and share in the same prayers, we are held together on this Sunday morning. Let us prepare our hearts and minds to worship the living Lord.
Prelude “Immanuel” with “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Heasuk Che, organist.
arr. Page
Call to Worship
Joan Zicht, lay reader.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
One: John the Baptist said, “Prepare the way.”
So family of faith, how do we prepare our minds for worship? All: We silence the inner critic.
We let go of busy thoughts.
We make space for God to speak.
One: How do we prepare our hearts for worship? All: We bless all emotions.
We feel what we feel.
We open ourselves up to be moved.
One: How do we prepare our bodies for worship? All: We take in the scent, sight, and feel of this space.
We breathe in God’s mercy.
We exhale God’s love.
One: How do we prepare our souls for worship? All: We bring our full selves into this space.
We wear our hearts on our sleeves.
We trust that even now, God is here.
One: Family of faith, what we practice in worship, we must live out in our daily lives.
So prepare the way. Let us worship Holy God.
Hymn #88 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Barbara Davis, Carol Corson, Kathy Link, Julie Pearson, Norma Rogero, Judith Spurrell, Lillian Warner, and Bob Wright. Accompanied by pianist Heasuk Che and flutist Jillian Koenig.
Veni Emmanuel
1 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.
2 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]
3 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]
4 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]
Candle Lighting
Jason, Shelley, David, and Andrew Wheeler.
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord.”
A choir sings in the silence,
“Come, Emmanuel.”
Every valley shall be filled.
Every heart shall be made whole,
for peace is stronger than turmoil,
and love is louder than hate.
As we light our second Advent candle,
we pray for the holy peace of God.
Come now, O Child of Mary.
Come now, O Prince of Peace.
Prayer of Confession
Jason, Shelley, David, and Andrew Wheeler.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
One: Holy God, I wish that peace was something I could buy.
I wish that peace could be ordered in a subscription service,
found on a map,
downloaded in an app,
or voted for in a ballot.
I wish that peace was as easy as a one-time choice when I was feeling my best.
However, what I have found is that peace involves everyday decisions over and over,
whether or not I am feeling my best.
So today I confess, in front of this community of faith,
that I need your help in this Advent season.
Prepare the way for greater peace, and teach me how to be a part of it. All: May God forgive you. May God’s guiding hand surround you.
May you know comfort. May you know peace.
One: Amen. (Silence for Reflection)
Anthem “What Child is This”
Jillian Koenig on the flute, accompanied by pianist Heasuk Che.
arr. Stevens
The Road to Bethlehem
Brooke Tucker, Director of Faith Formation.
Affirmation of Faith
Madeline May, Addie Alred, Garrett Tucker, Delia Burgos, and Zoe Alred.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
We believe that a voice cried out in the wilderness,
Saying, “Prepare the way of the Lord.”
And so, we show up in church pews on cold, blustery days.³
We march toward justice.
We roll up our sleeves.
We plant trees for our children.
We make art.
We choose hope.
We gather at the Table.
We set an extra plate.
We sing loudly, with joy.
We share stories and wisdom.
We celebrate children.
We fall together.
We rise together.
We love together.
We do all these things because we believe that God loves us so much that God shows up here.
So we prepare and prepare for that next beautiful day.
May it be so. Amen.
Prayers of the People
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
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.
Responsive Reading
Joan Zicht, lay reader.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
1 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. 8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. 9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. 12 The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
Prayer for Illumination
Joan Zicht, lay reader.
provided by: A Sanctified Art2
God of Peace,
We must admit, there are a million things on our minds.
We would like to be as focused as John the Baptist—preparing the way,
gathering the crowd,
spreading the word of your arrival.
Maybe then we’d know peace.
However, more often than not, we are a swirling compilation of grocery lists,
text messages, e-mails, and over-referenced to-do lists.
So today, we ask for your help in preparing the way.
Could you start with our ears, and then maybe move to our hearts?
We’d like to hear you more clearly.
Maybe then we’ll know peace.
Gratefully we pray,
Amen
Old Testament Reading
Joan Zicht, lay reader.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Isaiah 40:1-11 – God’s People Are Comforted. Listen for God speaking to you today.
1 Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!” 10 See, the Lord GOD comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.
Hymn #82 “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
Barbara Davis, Carol Corson, Kathy Link, Julie Pearson, Norma Rogero, Judith Spurrell, Lillian Warner, and Bob Wright. Accompanied by pianist Heasuk Che and flutist Jillian Koenig.
Hyfridol
1 Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us;
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2 Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a king,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all-sufficient merit
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Gospel Lesson
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Mark 1:1-8 – The Proclamation of John the Baptist. Listen for God speaking to you today.
1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’”
4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Meditation “One to Come”
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
Sending
Rev Dr Jeffrey Beebe
Congregational Response
Heasuk Che, organist.
Hymn #306
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
Offering
Please continue to give your offering.
God calls us to give all of who we are, and all of what we have to be used in and thru the Church. So let us present our lives. Let us present our gifts unto God. Offerings can be received in the church by mail or you may use online banking options.
You can click the image to the right or this link to give online now. At the online Giving site, select “2020 Pledge” as the Fund to fulfill your 2020 pledge or use another fund if you’re directing your gift elsewhere. Note, the church must pay a small processing fee to receive your contribution via online giving. Increasing your gift would help cover the cost of processing and would be greatly appreciated.
If you’d like to see alternatives to online giving, please take a look at our Contribute page.
Postlude “He Shall Feed His Flock”
Heasuk Che, organist.
Handel
The Service has Ended
May the Peace of Christ be with you!
Thank you for joining us online! We hope you will join us again as long as we need to be apart. We pray for the day when we can all meet again and worship God in the sanctuary and Trinity Presbyterian Church.
1 ALL COPYRIGHTS ACKNOWLEDGED
2 Prayer by Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org Cover Art: Design by Lauren Wright Pittman; Photography by Lisle Gwynn Garrity
Please fill in your 2021 Stewardship Pledge Cards. If you need a new pledge card, please contact the church office for a replacement or print your own by clicking this link or the pledge card image. Once filled in, they may be turned in to the church or mailed to the church office. May God richly bless our generosity as we return to God a small portion of what He has given to us.
Trinity’s Bible Study is available online. Visit our website or Facebook page to view a video from Rev. Beebe. A new video will be released each week and will be available to watch whenever it is convenient for you. You can also ‘catch-up’ anytime at the Bible Study archive. To be included in our weekly email, simply subscribe to the website or join our Facebook group. Links to subscribe and join are at the bottom of our webpage.
separate tab or window.
You can click the image to the right or this link to give online now. At the online Giving site, select “2020 Pledge” as the Fund to fulfill your 2020 pledge or use another fund if you’re directing your gift elsewhere. Note, the church must pay a small processing fee to receive your contribution via online giving. Increasing your gift would help cover the cost of processing and would be greatly appreciated.