CCLI Number: 2880734
November 30, 2025
First Sunday of Advent
Words of Welcome Rev. John Hill
Centering Music
Call to Worship (from Isaiah 40:3-5) Emily Harper
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
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.
Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Opening Hymn “People, Look East” (UMH #202)
People, look east. The time is near
of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Guest, is on the way.
Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
one more seed is planted there.
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
that in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Rose, is on the way.
Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim,
one more light the bowl shall brim,
shining beyond the frosty weather,
bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Star, is on the way.
Angels announce with shouts of mirth
him who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
with the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.
Advent Song “Light the Advent Candle” (Chorus, FWS #2090)
Candle, candle, burning bright,
shining in the cold winter night;
candle, candle, burning bright,
fill our hearts with Christmas light.
Lighting the Advent Wreath
WEEK 1 – HOPE
Reader #1: Advent is a time of expectation, and this is symbolized not only by the four-week period of preparation, but also by the lighting of a new candle in the Advent Wreath on each Sunday of the season. The flame of each new candle reminds us that something is happening in the present, and something more is still to come.
Reader #2: The candles are arranged in a circle to remind us of the continuous power of God, which knows neither beginning nor ending. There is also symbolism in the colors of the candles. The three purple candles symbolize the coming of Christ from the royal line of David. He is coming as the King of Kings as well as the Prince of Peace. The pink candle, representing joy, is to be lighted on the third Sunday of the Advent season. The large white candle in the center is known as the Christ candle, and points to Jesus as the Christ, the Light of the World.
Reader #1: A progression is noted in the lighting of the candles of the Advent wreath each Sunday. Each candle symbolizes various aspects of our waiting experience. The first candle, which we light this morning, is the Hope Candle. The prophet Isaiah gave hope to the people of his day by predicting the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”
Light the first purple candle
Reader #2: Let us pray. Almighty God, we light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope, who came to be with us and to reveal your nature and will to us. Give us grace to trust in your promises. May the light sent from above shine in the darkness to show us the way of salvation. Amen.
Advent Song Reprise
Candle, candle, burning bright,
shining in the cold winter night;
candle, candle, burning bright,
fill our hearts with Christmas light.
Children’s Moment Rev. John Hill
Prayer of Confession Emily Harper
God of all grace,
we confess that it is difficult to wait,
to have patience.
We go to great lengths to keep ourselves busy.
We fill our calendars with events
and our days with tasks.
And yet in this season of Advent,
you invite us to slow down…
to wait…
to breathe…
to prepare.
There are promises you make that our hearts long to hear.
There are miracles for us to notice if we stop to pay attention.
There is hope, peace, joy, and love all around.
Grant us the grace to notice them
and to await with glad anticipation
the arrival of your Son,
Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. Amen.
Silent Confession
Words of Assurance Rev. John Hill
Hear the Good News: Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. That proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Glory to God. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Hymn “All Earth Is Waiting” (UMH #210)
All earth is waiting to see the Promised One,
and the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.
Thus says the prophet to those of Israel,
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel,”
for his name is “God with us,” our brother shall be,
with him hope will blossom once more within our hearts.
Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain;
open new highways, new highways for the Lord.
He is now coming closer, so come all and see,
and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.
In lowly stable the Promised One appeared,
yet, feel his presence throughout the earth today,
for he lives in all Christians and is with us now;
again, with his coming he brings us liberty.
Prayer for Illumination Emily Harper
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Amen.
Scripture Reading Mark 13:24-37
“But in those days, after that suffering,
the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light,
and the stars will be falling from heaven,
and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels and gather the elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert, for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening or at midnight or at cockcrow or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
Response to the Scripture Reading Emily Harper
For the Word of God we hear in scripture,
for the Word of God we encounter among us,
and for the Word of God at work within us,
Thanks be to God.
Sermon “Voices of Advent: The Voice of Jesus” Rev. John Hill
Musical Reflection
Pastoral Prayer Rev. John Hill
The Lord’s Prayer
Invitation to Offer Tithes and Gifts
https://onrealm.org/CrievewoodUMC/Give
Offertory
Doxology (UMH #95)
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God, above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Invitation to Discipleship
Closing Hymn “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (UMH #196)
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.
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.
Benediction Rev. John Hill
Benediction Song “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” (UMH #224, first half of verse 1 and second half of verse 3)
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
News, news!
Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all
to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save,
Christ was born to save!