Please use this link for the
Zoom Service December 1, 2024 at 8:30 AM
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81188368778?p30wd=QzZNMlFNNWVRVFIyUXZieWtNWkV0UT09
December 1, 2024
Acton Community Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 177, 32142 Crown Valley Road, Acton, CA 93510
Message: 661-208-8032 w who ww.actonpc.org
1888 – 2024 Celebrating Heritage and Sharing Hope
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
WELCOME, ANNOUNCMENTS, GUESTS AND SPECIAL DAYS
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING: The Candle of Hope
CALL TO WORSHIP
One: But when we open our eyes,
ALL: We begin the work of faith.
One: The power of worship is the same. When we enter this space,
ALL: We can see a better world.
One: When we enter this space,
ALL: We dream a better dream.
One: But when we leave this space,
ALL: We begin the work of faith.
One: So come in. Dream your dream.
ALL: Find hope here.
One: For in an hour,
ALL: We will begin the work of faith. One: Let it be so.
OPENING HYMN – # 2 - Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus
1 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.
2 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.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God, Over and over again in scripture, we hear your will for a beautiful world. We hear your will for peace and reconciliation. We hear your will for harmony and togetherness. We hear your will for community and hope. We hear your dreams, and yet we do not open our eyes. We continue to live with the curtains drawn, the covers pulled tight, eyes shut to the realities of the world. Forgive us. Kindle a hope in us that will burn through the darkest nights. Give us the strength and the will to keep awake in this sleeping world.
SILENT CONFESSION PRAYERS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Jeremiah 33:14-16
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.
The Word of the Lord, Thanks be to God
SERMON : “The Pilgrim’s Progress: “The Slough of Despond”
CALL FOR OFFERING–Congregation sings - Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: Adapted from the French Confession of 1559
We believe and confess only one God, who can do all things, is all-wise, all-good,
all-just, and all-merciful. We believe that everything required for our salvation has been offered and communicated to us in Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God and God’s eternal Son. Jesus Christ clothed himself in our flesh: God and human in one person.
We believe that we are illuminated in faith by the unfathomable grace of the Holy Spirit.
God imparts this gracious gift. By faith we receive grace to live holy lives in awe and reverence for God, for we receive what the gospel promises when God gives us the Holy Spirit. Faith does not cool our desire for good and holy living, but rather engenders and excites it in us, leading naturally to good works. We believe that the sacraments are joined to the Word in order that the Word may be more fully confirmed. Baptism is given to us as the pledge of our adoption, in which we are grafted into the body of Christ, and renewed in holiness of life by his Spirit. The Holy Supper of our Lord is a testimony of our unity with Jesus Christ,
HYMN #366 - Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me
1 Jesus, Thy boundless love to me No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O knit my thankful heart to Thee, And reign without a rival there!
Thine wholly, Thine alone, I'd live, Myself to Thee, entirely give.
2 O, grant that nothing in my soul May dwell, but Thy pure love alone;
O may Thy love possess me whole, My joy, my treasure, and my crown!
All coldness from my heart remove; May every act, word, thought be love.
3 O love, how gracious is thy way! All fear before thy presence flies;
Care, anguish, sorrow melt away, Where'er Thy healing beams arise.
O Jesus, nothing may I see, Nothing desire or seek, but Thee.
HOLY COMMUNION
CLOSING HYMN #276 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness
1 Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever will be.
Refrain: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2 Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. (Refrain)
3 Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! (Refrain)
BENEDICTION – The Lord Be With You
Congregation sings
God be with you till we meet again, By his counsels guide, uphold you, With his sheep securely fold you God be with you till we meet again.
**Offerings 1. May be deposited in the Offering Box by the Narthex.
2. Processed through “E-Give” online at actonpc.org
3. Send a check to Acton Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 177 Acton, Ca. 93510
FOOD PANTRY
Buy what you need and a little more, To help the needy and the poor.
Leave non-perishables in the barrel at the new Acton Market or the basket in the Narthex
TONIGHT
6:00 TO 8:00 PM
4TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SINGALONG
Come celebrate the holiday season In a warm and welcoming atmosphere
Mark your calendars and don't miss out on this wonderful community event!
