Prelude
   Christ, Be Our Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Phillip A. Cooke (b. 1980)

Welcome                                                                             
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal                                          
Co-Pastor

Lighting of the First Advent Candle                       
Warren Family (8:30)                                                    
Fon Family (11:00)

   Reader One: Today we begin the season of Advent, a time filled with expectation
              and promise. As we enter this sacred journey, we light the first
              candle of the Advent wreath. Week by week, the light will grow,
              guiding us toward the coming of Christ.

   Reader Two: This first candle is the candle of HOPE. Hope carries us through the
              darkest moments. As the days grow shorter and the nights deepen,
              hope whispers that a light still shines in the darkness.

              (Light the first candle.)

   Reader One: May this candle remind us that God’s light shines always and the
           darkness will not overcome it.

   All:     May the light of this candle reach into every shadow of our world,
           declaring that God’s hope is already on its way.

Gathering Hymn  O Lord, How Shall I Meet You,Verse 1

*Corporate Confession (Unison)                        
   God of Presence and Promised Coming,
       We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
   We have failed to fulfill your desire for us to love one another.
   We have not heard the cries of the needy;
       The mouths of the poor are still hungry, and
          the oppressed remain thirsty for justice.
   Free us for generous obedience, through the Advent of Christ..

*Assurance of God’s Love

*Response  Gloria

*Passing of the Peace

*Hymn
   82 , Thou Long Expected Jesus (Hyfrydol)   

LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD

Word to the Children
   When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we      sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note that the      11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.

Anthem
   Wassail, Wassail! (8:30am) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr.Davis (b. 1947)
   Now The Heavens StartWhisper (11:00am) . . . . . . . arr. Nicholas Palmer (b. 1963)

Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
   O God, open our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit
       so that the words of Scripture may become your Living Word. Amen.

Scripture Lesson
   Jonah 4:1-3 (Pew Bible Old Testament Page 814)

Response to Reading
   Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
   People: Thanks be to God.

Sermon
“Bad Faith”
Rev. Terrance D. Carroll
Guest Preacher

Moment for Reflection

Musical Reflection 
   Violin Sonata, II. Lento (8:30am) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Aaron Copland (1900-1990)
   E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come(11:00am) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paul Manz (1919-2009)

RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE

Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
  Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible,     including this worship service. You are invited to give generously
   at www.montview.org/giving or by using the QR code. You can   also text a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are
   stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your    support.

   All are invited to sign and pass theand greet each other by    name.

*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)
   God, you have so greatly loved us, long sought us, and mercifully                                    
          redeemed us.                                      
   Give us grace that in everything, we may yield ourselves,
          our wills and our works, a continual thank offering to you.
   Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Response  144  In the Bleak Midwinter, Verse 4 

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

*Closing Hymn
   88  O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Verses 1, 2 and 6 (Veni Emmanuel)

SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE

*Charge and Benediction

Benediction Response
   Creator of the Stars of Night. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Sarum Plainsong

Postlude
   Comfort, Comfort Now My People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Craig Philips (b. 1961)

GUEST PREACHER: REV. TERRANCE D. CARROLL, J.D.

Rev. Terrance D. Carroll made history as the first African American Speaker of the House in Colorado. Rev. Carroll has a Master of Divinity degree from the Iliff School of Theology and earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law. He is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches-USA and the National Baptist Churches-USA. He serves as a pastor at New Hope Baptist Church in Denver.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: MONTVIEW DEACONS

The Deacon mission is to follow in the example of Jesus in loving by serving. It is a ministry of caring, love, compassion, prayer, and community service. If you have questions about becoming a Deacon or the work they do, please see our Deacon’s table in the Commons after today’s service. Donate to support the Deacons’ work by using the QR code.

Montview’s Annual Christmas Concert
December 7 | 4:00pm (Sanctuary)
Our beloved annual musical tradition continues: Montview’s Symphonic Christmas Concert with the Choirs and Orchestra of Montview. Featured on this year’s program are performances of three living female American composers: Nancy Galbraith’s Sanctus, Dale Trumbore’ sRing Out, Ye Bells! and Sara Groves’ God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. Vocalist JoFoKe is featured in the Spiritual Behold the Star, and the Montview Orchestra will perform the Christmas Overture from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Admission is free.

TODAY AT MONTVIEW

            
     8:00am-        Childcare – Ages Birth-7
12:30pm     Location: Preschool Floor
             Enter via the Commons past Heritage Center to the Education wing.

   8:30am    Worship Service
          Location: Sanctuary             

   8:45am    Youth Bells (Grades 3-8)
          Location: Room 206B          

   9:30am    Advent Festival            
          Location: Fellowship Hall

             Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
          Location: Room 205

          Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
          Location: Room 204B

          Sunday School (Preschool)
          Location: Room 112

10:00am  No Sunday School (Grades K-5)
          Please join us in Fellowship Hall for Advent Festival

11:00am  Worship Service
          Location: Sanctuary

12:00pm Jubilate Singers          
          Location: Sanctuary

Prayer Tree
Jolene Cranston;Graves; Mark Haynes; Joe Hickman; Sherwood Lingenfelter (brother of Paul Lingenfelter); Sam Mateo; Eden Murphy; Lisa Padilla; Jim Polsfut; Kathryn Walton (daughter of MaryGrace Wake); Steve Wrenn (brother of Grover Wrenn)

Pastoral Care Concerns
Please reach out to the church with pastoral care concerns such as illnesses,
hospitalizations, deaths, births, or any other change of personal circumstances or
condition. Contact:@montview.org or (303) 355-1651 (general mailbox voicemail). For pastoral care emergencies, please call (303) 355-1651 and press 4.

JAN 12, 2025

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Prelude

Welcome
Rev. Amanda Osenga
Associate Pastor

*Call to Worship (Psalm 100:1-2)
Leader: Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth!  
People: Worship the Lord with gladness.
Leader: Come into God’s presence with singing!   
People: Let us enter God’s courts with praise.
Leader: Let us worship God!

Gathering Hymn  33  Praise the Lord! God’s Glories Show, Vs 2  (Llanfair)
Earth to heaven exalt the strain, Alleluia!
Send it, heaven, to earth again, Alleluia!
Age to age, God’s mercies trace, Alleluia!
Praise God’s providence and grace! Alleluia!

*Corporate Confession (Unison)
Merciful God, in baptism you promise
forgiveness and new life,
making us a part of the church,
the body of Christ.
We confess that we remain preoccupied
with ourselves, separated from one another.
We cling to destructive habits, hold grudges
and show reluctance to welcome one another.
We allow the past to hold us captive.
In your loving kindness, have mercy on us.
Fulfill the promise of our baptism
so that we may rise to new life. Amen.

*Assurance of God’s Love

*Response  To Thee, Great One in Three    

To Thee, Great One in Three, The highest praises be,
Hence  evermore! They sovereign majesty
May we in Glory see, And to eternity Love and Adore

*Passing of the Peace

*Hymn  
 611  Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Hymn to Joy)

LISTENING FOR GOD’S WORD

Word to the Children
When the music begins, children are invited to gather on the chancel steps as we sing, “This is where children belong, part of our family, part of our song. Be with us, pray with us, help us grow strong: this is where children belong.” Please note that the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.

Sacrament of Holy Baptism (8:30am)

*The Baptismal Creed (Unison)
In life and in death we belong to God. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, we trust in the one triune God, the Holy One of Israel, whom alone we worship and serve. We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. We trust in God, whom Jesus called Abba, Father. We trust in the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. With believers in every time and place, we rejoice that nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Glory be to the Creator, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Excerpted from A Brief Statement of Faith.)

The Presentation
Pastor: This candle represents the new life in Christ. It is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. May all who have received this sacrament walk as children of the light and may God keep the flame of faith alive in them forever.
People: With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you into Christ’s church, to share with us this ministry, for we are all one in Christ. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination (Unison)
Lord, open our hearts and our minds
by the power of your Holy Spirit,
that as the Scriptures are read
and your Word is proclaimed,
we may hear with joy
what you say to us today. Amen.

First Lesson
Isaiah 43:1-7 (Pew Bible Old Testament Page 631)

Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.

Anthem
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (8:30am) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . arr. Richard Walters
Jubilate Deo  (11:00am) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Gospel Lesson
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 52)

Sermon
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Co-Pastor
Waters of Blessing; Words of Promise

Moment for Reflection

Appreciation for Service (11:00am only)

Service of Ordination and Installation (11:00am only)

Musical Reflection
How fair this spot, from 12 Songs  (8:30am) . . . . . . . Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Now is the old year passed away  (11:00am) . . . . . . . . .  Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)

RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE

Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
Making a financial gift makes Montview’s programs and ministries possible, including this worship service. You are invited to give generously at www.montview.org/giving or by using the QR code. You can also text a dollar amount to 720.452.6449. Offering boxes are stationed at the exit for cash and checks. We’re grateful for your support. All are invited to sign and pass the Friendship Pad and greet each other by name.

*Prayer of Dedication (Unison)                                                                  
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Executive Minister
God, you have so greatly loved us,                                                                               
long sought us, and mercifully                                   
redeemed us.                                     
Give us grace that in everything,
we may yield ourselves,
our wills and our works,
a continual thank offering to you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.         

*Response
607  Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow  (Doxology)       
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore; Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer (Unison)
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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

*Closing Hymn
486  Child of Blessing, Child of Promise (Kingdom)

SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE

*Charge and Benediction

*Benediction Response (11:00am)
Glory to God in the Highest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randall Thompson (1899-1984)

Postlude

UPCOMING EVENTS

Annual Congregational Meeting
January 26 | 9:30am-10:30am (Fellowship Hall)
On January 26, at 9:30am, we’ll hold our Annual Congregational Meeting in Fellowship Hall. During this meeting, we’ll provide church updates and answer questions. The proposed 2025 budget and Terms of Call for the pastors will be presented and voted on. Light breakfast will be served. This meeting requires a quorum of the congregation. We hope you can join us!

What’s Happening at Montview?
Take part in an All Church Read of The Spirit of Justice, by Dr. Jemar Tisby. Books will be available for purchase beginning today. Apply for a Misson Life grant by January 31; register for Summer Sacred Art Camp for children, and more in our This Week @ Montview email. Click here to access the latest edition.

WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Preacher: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal       

Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays

Liturgist: Rev. Amanda Osenga

Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite                                         

Organ: Yinying Luo

Soloist: Erin Pettitt (8:30am)    

Reader: Jennifer Mello (8:30am)

Reader: Mia Lucas (11:00am)

Sound: Cate Thieme

Video: John Goerner

Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)