SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
December 7, 2025 | 8:30 and 11:00am
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Prelude
Lin-Fa, from Legends (8:30am)
Valerie Coleman (b. 1970)
Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (11:00am)
arr. Mary Beth Bennett (b. 1954)
Welcome
Rev. Clover Reuter Beal
Co-Pastor
Lighting of the Second Advent Candle Hutton Family (8:30am); Banks Family (11:00am)
Reader One: Today we remember God’s promise of a Ruler of Peace. We dream God’s dream of a world at peace, where enemies reconcile, children play in safety, and the poor find justice.
Reader Two: The second candle is the candle of PEACE. Because of turmoil and unrest, because war and violence persist, because our hearts are unsettled, we light this candle of peace.
(Light two candles on the Advent wreath.)
Reader One: In the prophet Isaiah’s vision, he spoke of a day when swords would be turned into plowshares. May this light inspire us to be peacemakers in the troubled corners of our world.
All: May the light from this candle radiate a peace that surpasses worldly understanding, declaring that God’s peace is on its way.
*Gathering Hymn 104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You, Verse 2
*Corporate Confession (Unison)
When we allow darkness to overcome the light,
forgive us, Lord.
When hardness of heart keeps us from seeing
and trusting in You,
let your grace fill us.
Forgive our doubt and renew our hope in Christ,
that we may watch and wait for His coming. Amen.
*Assurance of God’s Love
*Response Gloria
*Passing of the Peace
*Hymn
109 Blest Be the God of Israel (Merle’s Tune)
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 the 11:00am service is livestreamed and your child’s image may appear on the video.
Anthem
I Wonder As I Wander (8:30am)
arr. Nicole Chamberlain (b. 1977)
Ring Out, Ye Bells! (11:00am)
Dale Trumbore (b. 1987)
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
Luke 1:67-79 (Pew Bible New Testament Page 50)
Response to Reading
Leader: Listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to the Church.
People: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Dawn from On High Will Break Upon Us
Rev. Dr. Jason Hays, Executive Minister
Moment for Reflection
Musical Reflection
Noël Provençal (8:30am)
P. Candeille (1800s)
Behold the Star (11:00am)
arr. William Dawson (1899-1990)
This morning’s singing of “Behold the Star” – an American Negro Spiritual – is presented in accordance with our reparations royalty pilot program: a practice of valuing the musical contributions of enslaved Africans to American worship and song. All are invited to make a reparation royalty contribution via the pew offering envelope (write “reparations royalty”), at Montview.org/giving (One-time gift: Reparations Royalty Fund) or by clicking here.
RESPONDING TO GOD’S GRACE
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist, Associate Pastor
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 texting 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)
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
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Gracious God, creator of heaven and earth. You formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast. You have been faithful to us through all generations and continue to speak to us today. We praise you for this table of love you spread in the world as a sign of your love for all people. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join in their unending song.
Eucharistic Prayer
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.
Words of Institution
Communion of the People
You are invited to come forward, offering your open palms to the communion server. Once you receive a piece of communion bread and juice, please bring them back to your seat in the pews. Bread at every station is gluten-free. The Presbyterian tradition does not include a specific rite for first Communion. Our parents decide when their children are ready to participate. If you’d like to receive communion in your pew, please signal to a server when they come down the aisle at the conclusion of communion.
Communion Music
Concerto in C Major, Mvt. II (RV 443)
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
*Prayer of Thanksgiving (Unison)
Gracious God, you have made us one with all your people in heaven and earth. You have fed us with the bread of life and renewed us for your service. Help us, who have shared Christ’s body and received his cup, to be faithful disciples, so that our daily living may reflect your presence among us, and our love be your love, reaching out into the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Closing Hymn
88 O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Verses 3, 4 and 5 (Veni Emmanuel)
SENDING IN GOD’S LOVE
*Charge and Benediction
*Benediction Response (11:00am)
Creator of the Stars of Night
Sarum Plainsong
Postlude
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
arr. Christopher Tambling (b. 1964)
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: COLORADO FAITH COMMUNITIES UNITED TO END GUN VIOLENCE
Montview is a member of Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence, a multi-faith group of almost 60 Colorado congregations who work on issues related to gun-violence prevention. We invite you to honor the memory of all victims of gun violence, including the 20 first-graders and six educators shot at Sandy Hook School 13 years ago. Visit our table in the Commons to see how you can get involved.
WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
Preacher: Rev. Dr. Jason Hays
Liturgists: Rev. Clover Reuter Beal, Rev. Dr. Lorraine Leist and Sandy Prouty
Piano/Conductor: Adam Waite
Organ: Benjamin Corwyn
Flute: Cathy Peterson* (8:30am)
Soloist: JoFoKe (11:00am)
Reader: Juli Davidson
Sound: Cate Thieme
Video: John Goerner
Chorus: Westminster Choir (11:00am)
*Cathy Peterson performs in collaboration with Front Range Chamber Players, Montview’s resident chamber music series, in concert in the Miller Center, December 13.
TODAY AT MONTVIEW
8:00am-12:30pm
Childcare – Ages Birth-7
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
Bel Canto Choir (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 205
Assembly: Choir Alternative Fellowship (Grades K-5)
Location: Room 204B
Confirmation
Location: Confirmation Room
Sunday School (Preschool)
Location: Room 112
JAM in the AM (Grades 6-8)
Location: Cellar
9:40am
Room at the Inn: Making Time for Spiritual Practice During Advent
Mark Killmer, Spiritual Director, Centus Counseling
Location: Miller Chapel
10:00am
Sunday School (Grades K-5)
Location: Second Floor
11:00am
Worship Service
Location: Sanctuary
12:00pm
Jubilate Singers (Grades 6-12)
Location: Sanctuary
4:00pm
Annual Christmas Concert
Location: Sanctuary
6:00pm
MOB Christmas Party (Grades 9-12)
Location: Cellar
PARISH NEWS
Prayer Tree
Jolene Cranston; Cindi Graves; Mark Haynes; Joe Hickman; Sherwood Lingenfelter (brother of Paul Lingenfelter); Susan Long (relative of Peggy Gonder); Sam Mateo; Eden Murphy; Lisa Padilla; Jim Polsfut; Jan Tazelaar; 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: caring@montview.org or (303) 355-1651 (general mailbox voicemail). For pastoral care emergencies, please call (303) 355-1651 and press 4.
ABOUT THIS SERVICE
Assistive listening devices are available in the sound booth in the back of the sanctuary.
Restrooms are available in the Commons. An all-gender restroom is available on the lower level across from Youth Cellar.
A room for families with children who are not enjoying the service is below the sanctuary with livestream.
Childcare is available for ages Birth-7 on the Preschool floor.
Please note that the 11:00am worship service will be livestreamed to several social media platforms and your image may appear on the livestream video.
MONTVIEW BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220
303.355.1651 | www.montview.org