Gathering those who fear they are not enough,

so we may experience grace, wholeness, and renewal as God’s beloved.

Christ the Good Shepherd, 5th century mosaic in the Mausoleum of Gall Placidia, Ravenna, Italy

PREPARING OUR HEARTS FOR WORSHIP The prophetic tasks of the church are to tell the truth in a society that lives in illusions, grieve in a society that practices denial, and express hope in a society that lives in despair.

– Walter Brueggemann

December 6, 2020 2nd Sunday of Advent

9:30 a.m.

We Gather to Praise God

PRELUDE AND RINGING OF THE BELL See Amid the Winter’s Snow arr. Malcolm Archer (b. 1952)

CHORAL INTROIT And the Angel Said lyrics by Myra Bridgforth and Kerry Grannis

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Bowen family

We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ. As the Lord has promised, in days to come . . .

ONE: The nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, Isaiah 2:4 and their spears into pruning hooks;

ALL: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

ONE: The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, Isaiah 11: 6 the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and

ALL: the calf and the lion and the fatling will lie down together, and a little child shall lead them.

WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP

* HYMN 88 (vv. 1 and 6) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

* Please stand in body or spirit

DRAW NEAR TO GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE

O come, O come, Emmanuel. We are waiting, we are preparing. Yet very often, we wait and prepare only for another Christmas,

to drink in warmth and good cheer, to forget the world’s troubles for a bit. Waiting for anything more is difficult. The grass withers, the flower fades;

let’s at least enjoy a bit of Christmas. Yet we know Christmas is but a start, the promise and hope of your new day. Loving God, help us to do more than celebrate events of long ago. Fill us with your Spirit that we may glimpse your promised future,

that it may live in us and empower us to work for your coming new day until all the world can glimpse it too, can long for and hope for and work for your coming Kingdom.

Silence for personal reflection

SUNG RESPONSE

RECEIVE GOD’S LOVE, GRACE, AND PEACE

* SING GLORY TO GOD

We Listen for God’s Word

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

FIRST SCRIPTURE LESSON Mark 1:1-8

1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in he prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

ONE: The Word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God.

WORD IN MUSIC

“For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover the Earth/The People That Walked in Darkness” from Messiah George Fredric Handel (1685-1759)

SECOND SCRIPTURE LESSON Isaiah 40:1-11

1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

ONE: The Word of the Lord. ALL: Thanks be to God.

SERMON THE GRASS WITHERS… BUT James Sledge

We Respond to God’s Word

* HYMN 87 (vv. 1 and 3) Comfort, Comfort Now My People

* RESPONSE OF FAITH from the Belhar Confession

We believe that God has revealed God’s self as the one who wishes to bring about justice and true peace among people; God, in a world full of injustice and enmity, is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor and the wronged; that God calls the church to follow God in this; for God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry; God frees the prisoner and restores sight to the blind; God supports the downtrodden, protects the stranger, helps orphans and widows and blocks the path of the ungodly; for God pure and undefiled religion is to visit the orphans and the widows in their suffering; God wishes to teach the church to do what is good and to seek the right; the church must therefore stand by people in any form of suffering and need, which implies, among other things, the church must witness against and strive against any form of injustice, so that justice may roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream; the church as the possession of God must stand where the Lord stands, namely against injustice and with the wronged; in following Christ the church must witness against all the powerful and privileged who selfishly seek their own interests and thus control and harm others.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Tom-Erik Bowen ONE: LORD IN YOUR MERCY, ALL: Hear our prayer.

The Prayers of the People are offered on behalf of and with the congregation, usually by an elder currently serving on Session (governing council) or other members of the congregation.

Prayers of gratitude… For Meg Foreman, who has walked alongside her wife, Laura, throughout Laura’s

surgery and cancer treatment this year, and has been a selfless and loving caregiver

For the FCPC Deacons, who have provided meals, cards, and support to Laura and Meg during Laura’s treatment

Please keep in your prayers… Nancy Lundien, in hospice care Sally Loyd, John Loyd’s mother, in hospice care Theresa Brown and family on the death of Theresa’s aunt, Cheryl Naderman, on

Nov. 23 Anne Mugler, following surgery on Nov. 25 Marie-Paule Lauterbach, recovering from surgery on Nov. 6 and undergoing

follow-up procedures next week Educators, administrators, and students, as they face the challenges of online

learning during the pandemic

Those who have lost jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic Staff and residents of elder care facilities everywhere First responders, health care providers, caregivers, essential employees, and all who

put their lives at risk during the coronavirus pandemic

Continued prayers for… Kris Barth, Brenda Buchly, Avery Burns, Chuck and Marty Campbell, Allan Capon, Bobbie Conlan, Judy Cornier, Soledad Cuzzi, Sgt. John R. Goldsmith, Steve Graff, Mike Hugo, Linda Issaacson, Doug Jonas, Nora Long, Rusty Lynn, Sandy Martin, Juan Mendoza, Ruth Mileham, Bob Moore, Cort Peret, Laura Rainey, Stanley Rusher, Albert Schmid, James Steele, Cathy Stewart, Lawson Swift, Doris Webb, Doris Williams, Charles Wirth, Christa Young

Prayer requests can be sent to Pastor James at prayers@fallschurchpresby.org.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS AND PRESENTING OUR PROMISES TO GOD

* DOXOLOGY

SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER Invitation to the Lord’s Table Great Thanksgiving

ONE: The Lord be with you. ALL: And also with you. ONE: Lift up your hearts. ALL: We lift them up to the Lord.

ONE: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. ALL: It is right to give God thanks and praise. ONE: It is truly right…

Sanctus

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 and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Distribution of the Elements

POST COMMUNION PRAYER

* HYMN 123 (vv. 1 and 5) It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

* OUR LIFE TOGETHER AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

* CHARGE AND BLESSING

POSTLUDE Comfort, Comfort, Now My People arr. Gerald Near (b. 1942)

Songs reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-721003

Supporting us in Worship

Worship Leader Tom-Erik Bowen

Audio/Video Noah Clark, Diane Maloney

Music Andrew Jonas, tenor; David Schoonover, baritone

Virtual Fellowship Hour Host Theresa Brown

Falls Church Presbyterian belongs to the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, “working for the unity of the church, furthering the inclusion of LGBTQ persons, seeking understanding and reconciliation, and joining with others seeking a still more just and inclusive church.”

The Rev. James Sledge, Pastor Diane Maloney, Director of Spiritual Growth and Community Engagement

Noah Clark, Assistant Director of Youth Ministry The Rev. Megan Klose, Parish Associate

The Rev. Rusty Lynn, Hon. Ret., Parish Associate David Schoonover, Music Coordinator

Dr. Lisa Bloy, Organist

225 East Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046 • 703-532-6518 • www.fallschurchpresby.org

This Week at FCPC December 6-13, 2020

Godly Play, Sunday at 8:45 a.m. Join us on Zoom for another story of God and the people of God with virtual Godly Play. This week’s story: “Advent I-II.” All ages are welcome to join for this unique way of learning the stories of scripture. Zoom Meeting ID: 854 3597 5676

Fellowship Time. Join us for virtual Fellowship Time immediately following worship. Zoom Meeting ID: 919 9132 3252. This week’s host is Theresa Brown, who will offer these questions for discussion: 1) When do you put up and take down your Christmas Tree? 2) What is one Christmas tradition you’ve always observed, no matter what? If you would like to host Fellowship Hour, please sign up here. Check out these helpful hosting tips.

Advent devotionals. For adults, the devotional “Those Who Dream” is available for your use. Contact the church office if you would like one mailed to you. Families should have received “Watching and Waiting,” designed to help families have conversations about faith and Christian themes in some of our favorite Christmas movies.

Silent Witness, December 5. Please join the Falls Church faith community on Dec. 5 from noon to 1:00 p.m. in a Silent Witness Against Racial Injustice and to highlight racial inequities in COVID-19 exposures to prison populations. According to a Pew Research study, Blacks represented 33% of prison populations in 2018, which is triple their 12% share of the U.S. population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 40 of the 50 largest clustered outbreaks of the disease occurred in prison populations, according to a Lancet study in October. These clusters could be minimized if prison populations were reduced to 85% of capacity; however, prisons tend to be closer to 103% capacity. Also in October, prison populations were 5.5 times more likely to be exposed to the disease than the general population. Black Americans also have comorbidities that put them at greater risk of severe complications from the disease. Therefore, the systemic racism that incarcerates Black Americans at a much higher rate than whites are also subjecting them to greater risk of

Online Worship and Meetings

Godly Play – Sunday at 8:45 a.m. Zoom Meeting ID: 854 3597 5676

Worship Service – Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Join us for online worship at www.fallschurchpresby.org/livestream or on our FCPC Facebook page.

Fellowship Hour – Immediately following worship. Zoom Meeting ID: 919 9132 3252

Tuesday Morning Prayer – Tuesday at 8:45 a.m. Zoom Meeting ID: 104 294 101

Saturday Morning Bible Study & Fellowship Group – Saturday at 8:00 a.m. Zoom Meeting ID: 972 0316 4309 Passcode: morning

exposure to a disease that will have a greater impact on them if they are infected. Questions about Silent Witness? Contact Kevin Ayers.

Outdoor evening worship, Dec. 6. Join us for an evening prayer service with communion in the church parking lot at 6:30 p.m. Worshipers should wear masks and bring their own lawn chairs and elements for communion. Please let the church office know if you plan to attend.

NVFS Toy Drive ends Sunday, Dec. 6. To date, 121 toys have been collected for Northern Virginia Family Service! This Saturday, we will collect toys at the Silent Witness event (collecting 11:45 a.m.-1:10 p.m.) and on Sunday at the Fairfax Street entrance (12:30-3:00 p.m.). Also, NVFS has updated its Toy Drive info with a new Amazon wish list link and a Target wish list. Thanks for all your help in making this a very successful project.

Coat drive continues through Dec. 19. For her Eagle Scout project, Amelia Grannis is collecting coats to be distributed to Welcome Table guests. Coats can be dropped off at the church office by prior arrangement; email or call first (703-532-6518) to make sure someone is in. Coats will also be accepted at both the Dec. 5 and Dec. 19 Silent Witness events. Questions? Email Amelia.

Drive-Through Live Nativity, Dec. 19. Take a journey through Bethlehem and stop at various live scenes along the way. This event will be held Saturday, Dec. 19, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in the church parking lot. (Rain date Dec. 20.) The planning team will soon be soliciting volunteers for various scenes and may possibly need costume materials. More details to come! Contact Molly Good with questions.

Christmas Giving Tree for Ives House. Tis the season! Our Ives House residents, the extended Benitez family, has provided us with a few wishes for Christmas. Click here to see the wish list and sign up to provide a gift. All gifts should be wrapped with a nametag attached. Feel free to drop off your gifts directly at the Ives House (no later than 12/22). If no one is home, you can leave your gift at the church office. (Please call 703-532-6518 first to make sure someone is in.) Gift cards should be mailed to the church with recipient’s name attached; Elaine Porter will deliver to the Benitez family. Questions? Email Elaine or call her at 703-861-5641.

Welcome Table serves 535. Thanks to head chef John Loyd and our wonderful volunteers, we served 535 meals to go at the Dec. 2 Welcome Table dinner. Our next Welcome Table is Dec. 16. Sign up to help here. If you would like to support Welcome Table with a financial contribution, you can mail a check (made out to FCPC with “Welcome Table” in memo line) to the church office or give through FCPC’s secure Online Giving link.

Generosity update. As the body of Christ, we are all called to participate in ministries that bear Christ to the world. One of the ways we do this is through our financial gifts. At present, we have received estimates of giving for the coming year totaling $619,586.00, generously provided by 93 of us. Thank you. If you have not yet provided your estimate, please take a moment to do so, either online here or by returning your Estimate of Giving card, so that we can bear fruit together, displaying to the world the abundance of God.

Boy Scout Troop 895 annual holiday fundraiser. If you missed the Nov. 25 order deadline, the Scouts will also be selling holiday items at Heidelberg Bakery in Arlington on Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13. Contact Pamela Holran for more information. Thank you for supporting Troop 895!

God sightings. You are invited to share a photo that captures a time or place where you have experienced God. Photos submitted by noon each Wednesday will be considered for use at the opening of our virtual worship service. Email images to Diane Maloney.

Crossing Paths is a daily email designed to be a way to stay connected to each other, our community, and God. Crossing Paths are simple reflections shared by the FCPC community, available by email and on our Facebook page. If you would like to share a prayer, poem, or scripture passage to be included in Crossing Paths, please send to Diane Maloney.

Pastoral care during social distancing. If you or your loved one is in need of pastoral care, please do not hesitate to contact James Sledge. And if you are at-risk from COVID-19, please let James or the deacons know if we can offer you support with specific tasks such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, or other things that might put you at risk.