November 28, 2010
An Unexpected hour: Wake from sleep
``It is good therefore that we be prepared.
Our ignorance of the day of Christ's return should provoke us to be careful
as we eagerly await his coming.'' -- Hilary of Poitiers (315-368 A.D.)

GATHERING
Prelude
Hymn: Open, Lord, my inward ear HWB #140 (vrs. 1, 2)
Hymn:    O come, O come, Immanuel HWB #172 (vrs. 1,3,5)
Bell and Silence
Call to Worship
         Leader: Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.
         People: that God may teach us and we may walk in God's paths.
         Leader: This is the moment to wake from sleep,
People: for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
         Leader: The night is far gone, the day is near.
         People: Be ready; Jesus is coming at an unexpected hour.

PRAISE
Hymn: Sleepers, wake! HWB #188
Special music    --Bart Lefever
Offering

HEARING THE WORD
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
A time for all God's Children
Bell and Silence
Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:36-44
Sermon: Wakeful waiting -- David Moser
Hymn:    Holy Spirit, Truth divine HWB #508 (vrs. 1,2, 5,6)

RESPONDING
Bell and silence
Confessing:
         Leader: God, we are suspicious of your surprises.
         People: If you gather all people in your name,
                  we will have to worship with people we neither like nor love;
                  we will have to worship with people we neither agree with nor trust.
         Leader: You say, ``Keep Watch,'' but we are distracted.
         People: We have been sleepless, though not alert; awake, but not watchful.
         Leader: Stir up your Spirit among us.
         People: Wipe the sleep from our eyes
Words of assurance
Sharing our lives and our prayers

SENDING
Benediction
Hymn:    Peace before us STS #16