December 1, 2024

DECEMBER 1, 2024
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
REV. KENDRA BALLIET
ORGANIST JIM ROSS

Welcome & Announcements 

 

*Call to Worship 

Leader:  “Joy to the World,” a beloved Christmas classic, turns 300 this year. Hymn poet Isaac Watt’s interpretation of Psalm 98 invites us to sing a “new song”—and it is a powerful cosmic performance of all creation being renewed and freed. Let us join our voices with heaven and earth, proclaiming along with the Psalmist: 

Sing a new song to the Lord 

Lift your hearts with gratitude 

Sing a new song to the Lord 

Lift your hearts with gratitude 

and Joy, Hopeful Joy 

 

Your steadfast love and faithfulness 

Is ever present in our lives 

Your steadfast love and faithfulness 

Is ever present in our lives 

with Joy, Hopeful joy 

Leader: 
O sing to the Beloved a new song, 

for Love has done marvelous things! 

By the strength of your indwelling Presence, 

we, too, are called to do great things: 

we are set free through Love’s 

forgiveness and truth. 

Yes, your steadfast Love and faithfulness  

are ever-present gifts in our lives. 

All the ends of the earth have seen 

the glory of Love’s Eternal Flame. 

 

Advent Wreath Skit & Lighting 

Let us pray: Holy God, you are our joy. You are the joy that runs deep and wide underneath all of life. This is our hope that You are ever-present and constantly shifting our fear to compassion and grinding our swords into plows. 

Let us prepare him room in our hearts this day. 

Let us prepare him room in our church this day. 

Let us prepare him room in the world this day… 

for Hope. 

Amen. 

 

[sung] 

We sing 

We sing 

Joy to the World 

Heaven and nature sing 

Joy to the World 

Heaven and nature sing 

with joy 

Hopeful joy 

 

*Praise Hymn – “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”  #89 

 

Children’s Chat 

 

Scripture – Isaiah 2: 1-5 (CEB); Romans 13: 11-14 (The Message) 

Pastor: The Word of God for the people of God. 

 

Series: “Heaven and Nature Sing Joy to the World” 
Message – “Transformation of Our Lives” 

 

Tithes and Offering 
Offertory - 

*Doxology – Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow  #94 

 

Prayers of the People - Joys and Concerns 

*Prayer Hymn – Joy to the World  #246 v. 1

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer 

 

Communion - see insert

 

*Closing Hymn – Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus  196 

 

Action Steps and Benediction 

Postlude   

 Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org