November 30, 2025 - Advent 1
Speaker: The Rev. Beverley Shepansky
Reader: Maria Sportsman
Music: Yeo-Jung Kim
10:30 - 11:30 AM at the Sanctuary
Welcome and Announcements
Land Acknowledgement
We want to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples: Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Nations.
Let us prepare our hearts to worship God
Prelude: “Prepare the Royal Highway” arr. John Behnkekers
Lighting the Candle: Advent 1 - Hope
The prophet Isaiah announced that people of all nations will come to the mountain of the Lord and learn God’s ways.
When we look at this suffering world, we know we need to follow God’s ways.
God will settle disputes among the nations. Weapons will be transformed into tools for planting and growth. Nations will live in peace—no more will they prepare for war.
We cling to that promise and light this candle of hope, inspired by a vision of a world where children grow into adulthood, and parents live to old age.
The candle of hope is lit.
Let us pray together:
Living God, make us more aware of your presence. We trust your promises and wait with hopeful hearts. Come, Lord Jesus
Advent hymn:
“Hope is a star” verse 1, Book of Praise #119
Praise and Worship in Song:
Call to Worship and Adoration: "Be Still"
Prayer of Confession (silent prayer)
Assurance of God's love and pardon: "Living Hope"
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again 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.
Passing of the Peace
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Question 49. Which is the second commandment?
The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thy self to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Question 50. What is required in the second commandment?
The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God has appointed in his Word.
Hymn:
“Glory be to God the Father” Book of Praise #298
Prayer for understanding
Scripture reading:
Isaiah 2:1-5
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
Sermon:
"Closer than we think"
Hymn:
"O day of peace that dimly shines" Book of Praise #732
Offertory:
Reflection on “Veni Emmanuel” by John Barr
Doxology and Prayer of Thanksgiving
Prayers of the People
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
Closing Hymn:
“Come thou long-expected Jesus” Book of Praise #110
Charge and Benediction
Threefold Amen
Postlude:
Advent Recessional on “Truro” arr. Edward L. Good