WORSHIP NOTES

We welcome guests who are worshipping with us. Learning experiences for preschool children and infants are offered during the worship hour in the children’s building. Large print bulletins/hymnals and enhanced hearing aids are available for use in this service. An usher can assist you with these and any other needs you might have. We are very glad you are here.

The season of Advent is the first season of the Christian year and is a time of anticipation and preparation for Christ’s coming. The Advent wreath symbolizes the never-ending life of Christ and contains four candles representing the gifts Christ offers: hope, peace, joy, and love. The color royal blue reminds us of the King of Kings for whom we wait. Today’s gift, hope, is traditionally associated with the promise of the prophets, particularly Isaiah.

Leaders in worship include Eleanor Austin and Elizabeth McLeskey- acolytes, Clark Austin- Bible bearer, Doug Frick- Cross bearer, and Bill Parker- deacon of the week.

Cover art is No Between by Jan Richardson. Jan, a native Floridian, is an artist, spiritual writer, and ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. Her artwork draws us into spaces of welcome, imagination, challenge, and solace for each church season.

You may view today’s and past sanctuary worship services at www.fbca.net on theVideo page accessed through the Worship tab. Audio files of sermons are available on our website and sermons on CD can be ordered through the church office.

Ministry LeadersMr. Tate Addis OrganistRev. David Blackmon Coordinating PastorDr. Tommy Bratton Minister of Christian FormationRev. Leah Brown Minister with Senior AdultsDr. Casey Callahan Minister with StudentsDr. Mack Dennis PastorRev. Clark Sorrells Minister of MusicRev. Karen Sorrells Associate Minister of MusicRev. Amy Stertz Minister with Children and Families

First Sunday of AdventFirst Baptist Church of Asheville

Called by God*Gospel Lesson Mark 13:24-37 Kirstin Austin

This is the word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

*Congregational Response Gloria in Excelsis Deo GLORIA

Anthem Call to Advent arr. Williams FBCA Choral Octet

O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive IsraelWho mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice, Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;Ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in his hand,

Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.

Sermon An Advent Prayer for the Ages Mack Dennis

Dedicated to Service*Hymn of Response 90 People Look East BESANCON Response through Tithes and Offerings Offertory What Is that Lovely Fragrance arr. Bingham Lelia Lattimore, harp

Prayer of Dedication Bill Parker

*Passing of the Peace

Opportunities for Continued Service

Benediction Postlude Postlude on HYFRYDOL Ralph Vaughan Williams

*Those who are able will stand.

First Baptist Church of AshevilleNovember 29, 2020

First Sunday of AdventTrinity Chime

Gathered for Worship*Lighting of the Hope Candle The Williams Family

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

*Hymn of Hope 83 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus HYFRYDOL

*Invocation Tommy BrattonFaithful God, today we lift our hearts to you in one voice as we pray,

We echo the urgent cry of Isaiah, “Oh that you would tear open the heaven and come down.” We long for the hope of your saving love,so we submit the clay of our lives into your hands as a master potter.

Shape us so that we may not be lacking in any spiritual gift as we wait for the revealing of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

United in HopeOld Testament Lesson Isaiah 64:1-9 Congregational Response 31 Ancient Words ANCIENT WORDS

Stanza 1

Epistle Lesson 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Leah Brown Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him we have been enriched in every way

with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you.

Therefore we do not lack any spiritual gift as we eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is faithful, who has called us into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

*Hymn of Advent 105 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming ES IST EIN ROS