First Sunday of Advent
November 30, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Mark Poyner, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6a
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Creator of the Stars of Night | arr. Keesecker
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Advent Candle Reading - HOPE
We light the first candle of Advent, the candle of Hope.
In the darkness, we wait for the light.
The prophet Isaiah saw a vision: nations streaming to God's mountain, swords beaten into plowshares, peace reigning where war once ruled.
We hope for the day when God's vision becomes reality.
Jesus promised he would return, though we know not the day or hour.
We hope in the mystery of his coming.
Christ has come; Christ will come again.
In this hope, we light our candle and watch.
(Light the first Advent candle)
Unison Prayer: God of promise and mystery, you have given us a vision of peace we have not yet seen. Teach us to hope not as the world hopes—weakly, uncertainly—but as your people hope: firmly, faithfully, expectantly. As we light this candle in the darkness, remind us that Christ has come to begin your work, and Christ will come again to complete it. Keep us awake, keep us ready, keep us hopeful. Through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
Call to Worship:
Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord!
He will teach us his ways, that we may walk in his paths.
Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
We will beat our swords into plowshares and learn war no more.
Keep watch, for you do not know when the Lord will come.
We come ready, watching, and waiting in hope.
Let us worship the God who has come and who will come again.
We worship the Lord who keeps his promises!
Salutation Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Call to Confession
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Scriptures remind us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us come before Him in humility and faith, and confess our sins together. Let us now join together as we read our prayer of confession in unison:
Prayer of Confession
Prayer of Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we have not lived as people who wait in hope. We have grown comfortable with the world as it is, forgetting your vision of the world as it will be. We have not beaten our swords into plowshares; we have made peace with violence and division. We have fallen asleep when you called us to watch. We have been unprepared when you called us to be ready. We have walked in darkness when you called us to walk in your light.
Forgive us, Lord. Awaken us to your coming. Restore in us the hope of Isaiah's vision and the readiness of faithful servants. Prepare our hearts to receive you, whether you come as a child in a manger or as a king on the clouds. Through Christ our Savior, who came and will come again. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: The Lord is faithful to his promises. Christ has come to save us; Christ will come again to restore all things. The vision is certain, though the timing remains mystery. The Apostle Paul writes: "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." And Jesus himself promises: "I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Friends, believe the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. We are restored. We are made ready. Thanks be to God!
The Law of God
Hear the summary of God's Law as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." May the Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
*Gloria Patri
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.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem Advent Carol | Reissner
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious and Holy God, by Your grace alone we are gathered in this place. By faith alone we open our hearts to receive Your Word. Through Christ alone we find the light that leads us home. By Scripture alone we seek Your truth, and to Your glory alone we offer our listening and our lives. Send now Your Spirit among us—shine through the words read and proclaimed, so that the saints of yesterday and the seekers of today may be united in Your everlasting light. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 2: 1-5
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: Watchman Tell Us of the Night
Second Reading: Matthew 24:36-44
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Vision verses Mystery” | Rev. Poyner
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith (Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living 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.
Offering Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence | Holst
Blessing on the Offering ...Your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus 'name we pray, Amen.
*Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with 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 debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Benediction
Postlude God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman| arr. Wolaver
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED