Virtual Bulletin | Grace UMC

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November 30, 2025 – The First Sunday of Advent

At Grace, all are welcome, which means we affirm people of every age, race, language, nationality, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, ability, family structure, or economic, social, immigration, and marital status.

Welcome to Grace UMC! We’re blessed by your presence for worship. Please register your attendance using the red attendance pads in the Sanctuary or the link above. If you are in-person and need an assisted listening device, they are available at the back of the Nave. Please ask an usher or greeter. During worship, we use three hymnals: The United Methodist Hymnal, The Faith We Sing, and Worship & Song.

+Please rise in body or spirit

Welcome – The Rev. Seth O’Kegley

Prelude – Anita Lockwood

"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Gregory Hamilton

+Opening Hymn – UMH 208

"I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light"

+Opening Prayer

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

May this candle be a holy interruption. May it teach us to pay attention to the aches of the world and the hope that God is already drawing near.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole hearts. We have missed your signs, turned from your guidance, and clung to our own familiar ways. You invite us to be changed by encounter, to go home by another way, but we resist the detour. Forgive us. Lead us by your light, and set our feet on your path, that we may be open to your presence and faithful in your coming. Amen.

Silence for personal confession and assurance of pardon.

+Passing the Peace

May the peace of Christ be always with you all.

And also with you.

First Lesson – Isaiah 2:1-5 (CEB)

This is what Isaiah, Amoz’s son, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In the days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of the mountains, lifted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the Lord’s mountain, to the house of Jacob’s God so that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in God’s paths.” Instruction will come from Zion, the Lord’s word from Jerusalem. God will judge between the nations and settle disputes of mighty nations. Then they will beat their swords into iron plows and their spears into pruning tools. Nation will not take up sword against nation; they will no longer learn how to make war. Come, house of Jacob, let’s walk by the Lord’s light.

This is the Word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let’s go to the Lord’s house!”
Now our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem!

Jerusalem is built like a city joined together in unity.
That is where the tribes go up—
the Lord’s tribes!
It is the law for Israel to give thanks to the Lord’s name,
because the thrones of justice are there—
the thrones of the house of David! R.

Pray that Jerusalem has peace:
“Let those who love you have rest.
Let there be peace on your walls;
let there be rest on your fortifications.”
For the sake of my family and friends,

I say, “Peace be with you, Jerusalem.”
For the sake of the Lord our God’s house
I will pray for your good. R.

+Hymn of Preparation – UMH 202

"People, Look East" vs. 1,2

+Second Lesson – Matthew 24:36-44

“But nobody knows when that day or hour will come, not the heavenly angels and not the Son. Only the Father knows. As it was in the time of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Human One. In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark.They didn’t know what was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. The coming of the Human One will be like that. At that time there will be two men in the field. One will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill. One will be taken and the other left. Therefore, stay alert! You don’t know what day the Lord is coming. But you understand that if the head of the house knew at what time the thief would come, he would keep alert and wouldn’t allow the thief to break into his house. Therefore, you also should be prepared, because the Human One will come at a time you don’t know.

This is the Word of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

+Hymn of Preparation – UMH 202

"People, Look East" vs. 3,4

Sermon – The Rev. Seth O’Kegley

“Home By Another Way: A Journey Interrupted” Click here for text.

Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And 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, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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.

Prayers of the People

Interrupting God, hear our prayer.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Parish Announcements

Offertory – Chancel Choir

“Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers” arr. Evelyn R. Larter

Rejoice, rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear. The evening is advancing, and darker night is near. The Bridegroom is arising, and soon He draweth nigh. Up, pray, and watch, and wrestle: At midnight comes the cry. See that your lamps are burning; replenish them with oil. And wait for your salvation, the end of earthly toil. The watchers on the mountain proclaim the Bridegroom near. Go meet Him as He cometh, with alleluias clear. Our hope and expectation, O Jesus, now appear! Arise, Thou Sun so longed for, over this benighted sphere! With hearts and hands uplifted, we plead, O Lord, to see the day of earth’s redemption that brings us unto Thee.

Today’s loose coin offering is for Family Promise

+Doxology – Veni Emmanuel

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

+Hymn of Discipleship – UMH 730

“O Day of God, Draw Nigh"

+Benediction

+Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Postlude – Anita Lockwood

"The Heavens Rejoice!" by Todd Kendall

Worship Leaders

The Rev. Seth O’Kegley, preaching