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Prelude

Lighting the God C andle

Call to Worship
         Leader:  People of God, look around you.
                  The time is ripe for God's coming.
         People:  The earth is silent, the darkness is tangible,
                  our world is in upheaval,
                  and God often seems hidden.
         Leader:  People of God, stay alert.
                  The season of God's coming has arrived.
         People:  How will God be revealed? Will it be like a fire, an earthquake, or a knock at the door?
         Leader:  People of God, keep watch.
                  God comes in places and at times we least expect.
         People:  Without God's presence, we wither and die.
                  We are blown away like a leaf in the wind.
         All:     Restore us, O God;
                  let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Opening P rayer    God our center, our life-breath, our anchor:              if we have fallen asleep to your living presence,
                           wake us up;               if we are no longer able to see signs of your nearness,
                           open our eyes;           
                  if we are shaken by doubt and fear,
                           give us a firm place to stand.   You, O God, are our hope and our salvation,
         and we are all your people. AMEN

Gathering song s:          O come, O come, Immanuel (WB 172)
                  Longing for light (STJ 54)
                  Come, come Emmanuel (Song Sheet)
Old Testament Reading : Isaiah 64:1-9 Confessing
         Confession Song Response: Save us, O Lord (Song Sheet)
Gospel Reading : Mark 13:24-37

Children's Time

Song of Praise : Christ is coming! Let c reation (WB 295)

Psalm Reading: Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19
         Side A:          Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
                  you who lead Joseph like a flock!
                  You who are enthroned upon the cherubim,
                  shine forth
         Side B:          before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
                  Stir up your might, and come to save us!
         Side A:          Restore us, O God;
                  l et your face shine, that we may be saved.
         Side B:          O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
         Side A:   You have fed them with the bread of tears,
                  and given them tears to drink in full measure.
         Side B:          You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
                  our enemies laugh among themselves.
        
         Side A:  Restore us, O God of hosts;
                  let your face shine, that we may be saved.
         Side B:          But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself.
         Side A:          Then we will never turn back from you;
                  give us life, and we will call on your name.
         Side B:          Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
                  let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Prayer

Sermon : ``Impasse''

Song of Response

Offering/Offertory

Prayers of the Congregation
         Song of Prayer: L a ténèbre (Our darkness) (STJ 101)
Hidden God, we bring to you our concerns:        ( Petitions v oiced by the congregation)For the darkness of waiting,       of not knowing what is to come,  of staying ready and quiet and attentive,        we praise you, O God.Hidden God, we bring to you our joys:       (Praises voiced by the congregation)For darkness of hoping       in a world which longs for you,  for the wrestling and laboring of all creation,  for wholeness and justice and freedom,   we praise you, O God. AMEN
                  (adapted from Janet Morley, All Desires Known, pp. 58-59)
         Song of Prayer: La ténèbre (Our darkness) (STJ 101)
Welcome/Announcements

Song: It came upon a midnight clear (WB 195 verses 1, 3, 4, 5)

Sending

Worship Participants:
Worship Leader: Brenda Grimes
Music Leader: Terri J. Plank Brenneman
Prelude and Offertory: Bryan Kehr and Lana Smucker
Readers: Lee Roy Berry, Charity Grimes, Patsy Sherer, Darin Short
Children's Time: Rita Gingrich
Sermon: Dan Schrock
Pastoral Prayer: Anita Kehr
Sound and Projection: Ben Buckwalter, Michael Sherer
Ushers: Dan, Deb, Matthew Williams
Bulletin Cover: Anne Berry
Visuals: Coordinated by the Advent Committee with help from Dee Albrecht
Advent Planning Committee: Terri J. Plank Brenneman, Hannah Heinzekehr, Eric Hostetler, Ginny Martin, Lane Miller, Sherry Wenger
Childcare is available for infants and toddlers (generally ages three and under) in the nursery on the right side of the hallway.

Nurture Hour begins ten minutes after the end of worship. Re-gather in the meetingroom for these opportunities:
Please attend the intergenerational adult class of your choice :
¨         Sermon Discussion with David Heusinkveld and Dale Shenk meets in the northeast corner of the meetingroom.
¨         The New Testament Community (Uniform Series) with David Shank meets in the southeast corner of the meetingroom.
¨         A long-term, discussion-based group meets in the northwest corner of the meetingroom.
¨         College age meet s in the library.
¨         Dan Schrock's office is available for quiet prayer.
Children from preschool through fifth grade gather after worship for singing in ``Jubilee Hall'' (the large room north of the fellowship hall). Younger children may go directly to their classroom (see the room assignments below).
¨         Infants and 2-year-olds meet in ``Cherub Corner.''
¨         Preschool (3- and 4-year-olds) meet in ``Gentleness.''
¨         Primary I (kindergarten) meet in ``Joyful.''
¨         Primary II (first and second grades) meet in ``Peace.''
¨         Middler (third, fourth, and fifth grades) meet in ``Forgiveness.''
Youth:
The JYF (grades 6-8) and the MYF (grades 9-12) meet in their classrooms off of Jubilee Hall.