RossR

Third Sunday of Advent from Rev. Ross Reddick, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Sylacauga, Alabama

Responsive Call to Worship: (based on John 1:6-8, 19-28)
Leader: With joy this day we anticipate the one who is coming, the arrival of the Messiah.
People: The one we call the Word! The one we call the Light.
Leader: Like John the Baptist, we are not the light. In our worship, we testify to the light.
People: Our testimony is prayer and praise, song and scripture.
Leader: Our testimony is preaching and teaching, learning, and serving.
People: May our testimony be a sweet sound in your ear, O God.

Prayer of Confession: (based on 1Thess. 5:16-24)
Mighty and powerful God, your word says, “Rejoice always.” But we would rather sulk about the things that don’t go right. Your word says, “Pray without ceasing.” But we go for days without even thinking about You. Your word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” But our thankfulness is fleeting, because we think we deserve blessings. Your word says “Hold fast to what is good,” while we hold fast to sinful ways of thinking and acting.

Assurance of Pardon / Declaration of Forgiveness: (based on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11)​
The prophets of old have declared, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God. For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robes of righteousness. Friends, believe the good news: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Second Sunday of Advent resources from Rev. Ross Reddick, Pastor First Presbyterian Church
Sylacauga, Alabama

Responsive Call to Worship: (based on Isaiah 40:1-11)

Leader: The voice of the Lord declares, “Comfort, O comfort my people”.
People: A voice cries out, “Prepare the way of the Lord!”
Leader: The earth will be transformed, God’s glory will be revealed.
People: We expect your arrival in fire and flame. Instead, we follow a star on a cold night.
Leader: You meet us in this place, as we remember your curious way.
People: As we wait, cleanse us. As we wait, mold us.
Leader: Our ears and eyes perceive no other god besides You, and so we worship this day.
People: We are all your people and we will wait for You.

Prayer of Confession: (based on Mark 1:1-8)

Forgive us, Lord, for the times we refuse to listen to those who announce your presence. Forgive us when we ignore the cries that come from the wilderness. Allow us to understand that, like John the Baptist, we too are unworthy before the Lord of All. Help us live into our baptisms. Remind us of the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, and empower us to be the continuation of that Good News. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon / Declaration of Forgiveness (based on 2 Peter 3:8-15)

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved. With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

Liturgies from Rev. Ross Reddick, Pastor First Presbyterian Church, Sylacauga, Alabama

First Sunday of Advent – Liturgies based on Isaiah 64:1-9

Responsive Call to Worship:
(based on Isaiah 64:1-9)

Leader: O that You would tear open the heavens and come down.
People: We expect quakes to announce your arrival. Instead, we see a stable in the distance.
Leader: O that You would tear open the heavens and come down.
People: We expect your arrival in fire and flame. Instead, we follow a star on a cold night.
Leader: You meet us in this place, as we remember your curious way.
People: As we wait, cleanse us. As we wait, mold us.
Leader: Our ears and eyes perceive no other god besides You, and so we worship this day.
People: We are all your people and we will wait for You.

Prayer of Confession:
(based on Isaiah 64:1-9)

Almighty God, how often you explode our expectations. Our arrogance convinces us that we can understand where and how you will show up in the world. Our excessive confidence is not centered in you, but in ourselves. We utter words of judgment against our adversaries; but we readily forget the ways we sin against you. We have all become unclean in your most Holy eyes. Even our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth when compared to the pure swaddle of the Babe of Bethlehem. If left to our own devices, our sins would take us away like a leaf in the wind. Forgive us, O God. Remind us of the ways you enter our lives and bind us to your sovereign love.

Assurance of Pardon / Declaration of Forgiveness
(based on Isaiah 64:1-9)

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God meets those who gladly do right, those who remember God’s ways. We deserve to be handed over to our sins. “Yet, O Lord, you are our father. We are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Friends believe the Good News; in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.
First Sunday of Advent – Liturgies based on 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
—–
Responsive Call to Worship:
(based on 1 Cor. 1:3-9)

Leader: We give thanks to God! For the expressions of grace both far and near.
People: For the grace embodied in the expected Christ child.
Leader: For the ways we know of your presence, for the vocabulary of faith.
People: We give thanks to God! For the ways we are strengthened by fellow worshippers.
Leader: For the multitude of testimonies that rival the heavenly host.​
People: For gifts received not in packages, but spiritual gifts.
Leader: God is faithful! God is faithful!
People: We are invited into this fellowship, and called to worship with thanksgiving!​

Prayer of Confession:
(based on 1 Cor. 1:3-9)

Gracious God, though we enjoy the blessings of comfortable lives, we forget to give thanks. We accept graces offered, but refuse to be enriched. We think we can understand your love, but our collective testimony suffers atrophy. We need your strength, O God. Remind us of the gifts you’ve given, and the ways you offer yourself to a struggling humanity. Strengthen us to the end that we might be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

Assurance of Pardon / Declaration of Forgiveness
(based on 1 Cor. 1:3-9)

Paul reminds the congregation at Corinth that the Lord will strengthen them until the time Jesus returns. Though we are not faithful, God is! God who is faithful and just will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Friends, believe the Good News; in Jesus Christ we are forgive.
First Sunday of Advent – Liturgies based on Mark 13:24-37

—–

Responsive Call to Worship:
(based on Mark 13:24-37)

Leader: Your Word tells us that we will see the Son of Man coming in clouds.
People: Your arrival will be one of power and glory.
Leader: The heavens will shake as your word rings forth, “Keep awake!”
People: Keep awake! For no one knows the day.
Leader: Keep awake! For no one knows the hour.​
People: Though heaven and earth pass away, Your word is eternal.
Leader: We keep awake, and we worship!
People: In the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn; we worship our Lord!

Prayer of Confession:
(based on Mark 13:24-37)

Merciful Lord, you have entrusted us with your creation, and commanded us to keep watch. But our eyes have become heavy, and our weary bodies ache. We fall asleep. We slumber through the cries of oppression; we slumber through the moans of hunger. We turn from your will because we don’t want to give up our own control and comfort. You’ve given us work to do, but as soon as you are out of sight or mind, we ignore our tasks. We opt to serve ourselves rather than others. Turn us from our ways to yours. Help stir us, O God. Awaken us to joyful obedience and the hope of your glorious return. Amen

Assurance of Pardon / Declaration of Forgiveness
(based on Mark 13:24-37)

Mark’s gospel makes it clear; the Son of Man is coming with great power and glory. When the time is fulfilled, He will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. God Almighty is in control; we rest our hope in God’s mercy and sovereignty. Friends believe the Good News; in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen