Front Royal Presbyterian Church
November 30, 2025, 10:30 am
Leading Us in Worship Today
Minister of Word and Sacrament – Rev. Jaci Smith Patman
Advent Candlelighters – Zach, Kara, and Cecilia Logan
Liturgist – Lee Bowen
Organist/Director of Music – Dr. Heather Ankerbrand
Prelude Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying
Philipp Nicolai/JS Bach
Welcome & Announcements
Opening Prayer & Gathering #99 My Soul Gives Glory to My God, vs. 1
My soul gives glory to my God; my heart pours out its praise.
God lifted up my lowliness in many marvelous ways.
Advent Candlelighting
Children of God, what are we waiting for?
We wait for dawn when night feels endless. We wait for the breaking of chains that bind. We wait with prophets whose words still echo, with ancestors who held hope close in exile, with weary souls who dare to believe again. We wait, not with empty hands, but with open hearts, trusting the One whose promise is faithful still.
Today we light one candle, enough to light the way.
This flame tells us: hope is alive. Even a small flame makes the darkness bright.
We peer out, longing to see what God is doing, waiting together for the salvation that is to come.
Sung Response #123 It Came Upon a Midnight Clear vs. 4
And you, beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing.
Call to Worship
Keep awake. Be ready. For the Son of Man is coming.
Thanks be to God! We will worship and prepare.
Opening Hymn #106 Prepare the Way, O Zion
Call to Confession
Let us honestly examine our lives and our hearts before Christ comes. Let us turn to God in prayer to confess our sins.
Prayer of Confession
Prince of Peace, the wars and rumors of wars betray our addiction to violence, our destructive and dehumanizing ways. We deserve your judgement and condemnation. Yet, you remain faithful, a steadfast source of peace amid our warring madness. Holy God, turn us from evil. Return us to Christ and his path of peace. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
God has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Through Christ our Lord, we are forgiven. Alleluia! Amen.
May the peace of Christ be with you; And also with you.
Please exchange the peace of Christ with your neighbors.
Gloria #109 Blest Be the God of Israel, vs. 3
Praise we sing to Christ the Lord, virgin’s son, Incarnate Word!
To the holy Trinity praise we sing eternally.
Sermon for Faith Builders
Children are invited to go to Children’s Worship with our Children’s Worship Leader, Ms. Marisa. Children will return to their parents during the final hymn.
Prayers of the People
Call to Offering
Offertory Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
Chant/Rebecca Groom te Velde
Doxology #102 Savior of the Nations, Come, vs. 4
Praise we sing to Christ the Lord, virgin’s son, Incarnate Word!
To the holy Trinity praise we sing eternally.
Prayer of Dedication
Hymn #82 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
Anthem #350 Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning Spiritual
[Congregation invited to sing vs. 4]
Sermon Waiting for Our Savior: Wakeful Hope
Sacrament of Communion
This table is open to all who seek to follow Jesus in faith, repentance, and love.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God: You established your people to be a light for the nations, and called us to walk in your paths and follow your ways. Even now, you are coming to bring justice and peace to the world. Therefore we praise you, joining the song of the universal church and the heavenly choir, saying,
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior: In Christ Jesus, you drew near to us for our salvation, teaching us to live in faith and to seek the good of all. Through his dying and rising, you brought life to the world. Remembering your goodness and grace, we offer ourselves to you with gratitude as we share this joyful feast. Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup; make us one in the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Keep us faithful and alert for the hour of Christ’s coming. Let us live honorably as children of truth and light, so that we may eat and drink together in your holy realm. Through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Spirit, we bless you, God of glory, now and forever. Amen.
Words of Institution
Sacrament Given and Received
Prayer after Communion and The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn #93 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Benediction
Postlude Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying
Philipp Nicolai/Paul Manz
