November 28, 2021 – 10:00 AM
Covenant is an accepting, welcoming community sharing the glory of God’s love with all.
PRELUDE “HEART OF HEARTS” by Mark Heard
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PRAYER REQUESTS
ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING
Al and Carolyn Bordelon
A: We hope for a world where all are fed.
B: We hope for a world with more bridges than walls.
A: We hope for a world with wide open doors.
B: We hope for a world with contagious laughter.
A: We hope for a world where trees grow tall and creeks run clean.
B: We hope for a world where all people feel at home—in their bodies, in the church, in their physical homes.
A: We hope for that world.
B: We long for that world.
A: We are homesick for that world.
B: So today we light the candle of hope, because hope keeps our hearts alive as we wait. A: May this light be a reminder that the wait is always worth it.
B: We are close to home. May we carry hope with us. Amen.
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Can one be homesick for something you’ve never known? People: We are homesick for a just world, for peace like rivers, for the end of suffering.
*Please stand as you are able.
Leader: Yes, we are homesick—
People: for joy that is contagious, for nations that feel like neighbors, and for hospitals that run empty.
Leader: We are homesick for the world God promises.
People: We are homesick, but we are on our way.
Leader: God is here. God is still creating.
People: Let us worship Holy God.
*HYMN #88 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
1 O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
2 O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily: to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go. [Refrain]
3 O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe. [Refrain]
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Gracious God,
We find ourselves with two options every day—
to stay homesick for the world you had in mind, or to allow cynicism to win. Do we hope against hope, or do we throw in the towel?
Do we insist on a better world, or do we assume it’s impossible?
Forgive us for the days when cynicism wins.
Forgive us for numbing our homesick hurt instead of using it to fuel a better world. Kindle in us a hope that won’t let go.
Gratefully we pray, amen.
(Silence for Personal Confession)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
*HYMN #581 “Glory Be to the Father”
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, amen.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord, be with you all. And also with you.
HYMN #188 “Jesus Loves Me”
TALK WITH CHILDREN - Erin Wise
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
FIRST READING 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 (CEB)
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL READING Luke 21:25-36 (CEB)
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON “Homesick”
THE BAPTISMS OF EVELYN AND ISABEL BALDERAZ
HYMN #480 “Take Me to the Water”
1 Take me to the water.
Take me to the water.
Take me to the water to be baptized.
2 I love Jesus.
I love Jesus.
I love Jesus, yes, I do.
3 He’s my Savior.
He’s my Savior.
He’s my Savior, yes, he is.
4 Glory hallelujah.
Glory hallelujah.
Glory hallelujah to be baptized.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven… (Hymnal p. 35. We say “debts & debtors.”)
MINUTE FOR MISSION
PRESENTATION OF OFFERING
Offertory “SPECIAL MUSIC”
*Doxology #606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
*HYMN “See Fig Tree Leaves Now Sprouting” (tune #129)
1 See fig tree leaves now sprouting
Soon summer comes again
Creation groans in labor
For God's reign to begin
We wait with bated breath
Homesick for God's true kingdom
Age without hate or death
2 Sun, moon, and stars above us
Speak of God's promised day
To make space for our new home
This world must pass away
When we are filled with dread
The words of Christ uphold us:
"Arise and raise your head"
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “LORD OF THE STARFIELDS” by Bruce Cockburn †
Prayers by Rev. Sarah (Are) Speed | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org.
Assisting in Worship Today:
Advent Wreath Lighters–Al and Carolyn Bordelon
Terry Kennedy Mancini–Liturgist
Jason Guthrie–Vocalist
Dave Powers–Guest Pianist
Cherie Brooks – Director of Music
Katie Wynkoop–Organist/Pianist & Assistant Director of Music Erin Wise – Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries
Brian Biller – Media Production Specialist
Rev. Joel A. Esala – Pastor
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“Awake to Wonder”
by Rev. Lisle Gwynn Garrity
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