NOVEMBER 30
Isaiah 64:1-9
A welcoming community of faith where Jesus Christ transforms lives
WORSHIP LEADERS
Rev. Christopher A. Henry
Senior Pastor
Rev. Gracie H. Payne
Associate Pastor for Engagement
Rev. Thomas P. Markey
Associate Pastor of Youth and Families
Robert Bennett Liturgist
Sanctuary Choir
Dr. Michelle Louer
Director of Music and Fine Arts
Dr. John Allegar
Organist and Assistant Director of Music and Fine Arts
Kathy Hockett Hand Chime
Dawn Waddell Triangle
Christy Crockett, Kevin Gardner, Jamie Johnson, Laura Spade, and Jessica Thomas Handbells
All music in this service used by permission: CCLI License #719352; OneLicense #A-715008; or public domain.
PROCESSION
Element Bearers
Caleb and Jack Chance
Ewer Bearer
Tom Woo
Acolytes and Advent Candles
Andrew Bolton Prose VanVeelen
TODAY’S BAPTISMS
Arthur Bennett McCutcheon
Parents: Meredith and Tom McCutcheon
Birthdate: March 5, 2024
Elder: Robert Bennett
Youth Deacon: Kathryn Carrel
Bible Presenter: Gabe Srour
WELCOME FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN
Following today’s Word with Children, children ages 4 through grade 5 may remain with their families or depart for Sunday Mornings for Children. If departing, please assure your child is wearing a nametag. Carol Choir pick up will be in Room 355 at 11:15 AM. Pick up for other sections of Sunday Mornings for Children will be in the third-floor hallway at the same time. Childcare is available on the second floor for infants through age 3.
VISUAL AND HEARING ASSISTANCE
Please speak to an usher if you need a large print bulletin, large print hymnal, or an assistive listening device.
November 30, 2025
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
We Come Together as God’s People
Prelude Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 and 660 J.S. Bach Dr. John Allegar, organ (1685-1750)
Welcome Rev. Christopher A. Henry
Choral Call to Worship
Drop Down From Up Above
Justine Koontz Sanctuary Choir; Dr. Michelle Louer, conductor
Drop down from up above And let the skies pour down thy righteousness. And let the earth be opened, And from within comes forth the Savior.
Text: Isaiah 45:8 (adapted by the composer)
* Opening Sentences Rev. Gracie H. Payne
One: Advent is a season of waiting.
All: But we do not wait alone.
One: God is with us.
All: We gather with those who have seen the signs, heard the whispers, felt the tugs in their hearts.
One: God is birthing hope into this waiting world.
* Prayer of Adoration
One: We light this candle as a symbol of the hope we have in the promise of God’s kingdom. We wait for the coming of hope into our world. We await the birth of the Christ Child, the coming of God into our lives in a new way.
All: We wait filled with hope, knowing your light will shine in the darkness.
One: Lord, we wait. Come soon and fill us with your life. Amen.
Christ, be our Light!
Bernadette Farrell
Prayer of Confession
How many times, Lord Jesus, have you come to us unwelcomed? How often have you visited yet we have been too busy to notice, spoken yet we have been too full of ourselves? Change all our insensitive habits and help us to do better during this Advent. Make us so sensitive to your immediate comings in the ups and downs of each ordinary day that we shall be well prepared to welcome you this year. For your love’s sake, hear our prayer. (Silent Prayer)
Assurance of God’s Grace
* Response of Praise
* Passing the Peace of Christ
* Hymn #6 Jesus Comes with Clouds Descending
We Experience God’s Word
The Word with Children
Sacrament of Baptism
Hymn of Response #498 Child of Blessing, Child of Promise KINGDOM
Prayer for Illumination
Anthem Advent Procession on “Savior of the Nations, Come” arr. John Samuel McIntyre
Sanctuary Choir and Handbell Ensemble Members (b. 1955)
Savior of the nations, come; show the glory of the Son! Ev’ry people, stand in awe; praise the perfect Son of God.
Not of human seed or worth, but from God’s own mystic breath, Fruit in Mary’s womb begun when God breathed the Word, his Son.
Wondrous birth! Oh, wondrous child of the virgin undefiled! Mighty God and man in one, eager now his race to run!
Savior of the nations, come; show the glory of the Son! Ev’ry people, stand in awe; praise the perfect Son of God.
Savior of the nations, come!
Text: attr. St. Ambrose, 4th C; tr. William Reynolds, 19th C and Martin Seltz, 20th C
Second Scripture Lesson
Sermon
Isaiah 64:1-9
A Distant Hope
“O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— “
(Isaiah 64:1)
(p. 680)
Rev. Christopher A. Henry
Moment of Silent Meditation
We Give Thanks to God
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer Rev. Thomas P. Markey
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.
Invitation to Discipleship and Generosity
Offertory
Führ mich, Kind, nach Bethlehem! Dich, mein Gott, dich will ich sehn. Wem geläng’ es, wem, Ohne dich zu dir zu gehn!
Rüttle mich, dass ich erwache, Rufe mich, so will ich schreiten; Gieb die Hand mir, mich zu leiten, Dass ich auf den Weg mich mache. Dass ich schaue Bethlehem, Dorten meinen Gott zu sehn. Wem geläng’ es, wem, Ohne dich zu dir zu gehn!
Führ mich, Kind, nach Bethlehem!
Hugo Wolf Kristin Shaffer, soprano (1860-1903)
Lead me, child, to Bethlehem! Thee, my God, Thee will I see. Whoever managed to come to Thee, Without Thy help!
Shake me awake, Call me, and I shall come; Stretch forth Thy hand to guide me, That I might set out. That I might gaze on Bethlehem, There to see my God. Whoever managed to come to Thee, Without Thy help!
Von der Sünde schwerem Kranken Bin ich träg und dumpf beklommen. Willst du nicht zu Hülfe kommen, Muss ich straucheln, muss ich schwanken.
Leite mich nach Bethlehem, Dich, mein Gott, dich will ich sehn.
Wem geläng’ es, wem, Ohne dich zu dir zu gehn!
I am sorely oppressed and weighed down With the grievous sickness of sin. If Thou wilt not come to my aid, I must stumble and falter. Lead me to Bethlehem, Thee, my God, Thee will I see. Whoever managed to come to Thee, Without Thy help!
* Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH
* Prayer of Dedication We Go Forth to Serve
* Closing Hymn #2 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus HYFRYDOL
* Charge and Benediction
* Choral Benediction Rejoice, Rejoice! arr. David Willcocks
Postlude Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Op. 67, No. 41 Max Reger (1873-1916)
At the conclusion of worship, we invite you to join us in McFarland Hall for coffee, donuts, & community.
THE POWER OF PRAYER
We remember in prayer these members who have died, and their loved ones. The white roses in front of the lectern are in memory of:
Judy Buffington
Beverly Miller
Would you like one of our pastors to pray with you today? We invite you to come to Milner Chapel immediately following the 10 AM worship service for a short time of communion and prayer. You may also visit SecondChurch.org/Prayer to fill out a Prayer Request Form.
If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please contact: Ashley McNamara, Coordinator of Pastoral Care AMcNamara@SecondChurch.org
GIVING
Secondchurch.org/Commitment
BE THE LIGHT
Let’s keep the light burning brightly!
We’re making progress toward our 2026 Commitment Campaign goal—thank you to all who have already pledged! Everyone’s help is appreciated and makes a difference. To make your 2026 commitment visit Secondchurch.org/Commitment
Questions? Call the Office of Stewardship and Endowment, 317-253-6461, ext. 359.
GIVING TUESDAY
BENEFITING CHRISTMAS FOR OUR NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORS
NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
CHILDREN'S ADVENT MUSIC SUNDAY
Peace in the Wilderness Rev. Christopher A. Henry
9 AM • Sunday School for All Ages 10 AM • Sanctuary Worship 11:15 AM • Service of Wholeness and Communion • Milner Chapel
This Tuesday, December 2, is Giving Tuesday, and we’re raising funds for Christmas with Our Northside Neighbors. Contributions to Giving Tuesday/CNN made on our website or via check or other means will be used to purchase clothes, food, gifts, household items, and more for our Food Pantry families in need.
Scan the QR code to make a Giving Tuesday gift today, or wait to surprise us on December 2!
For more details visit SecondChurch.org/Worship
Watch Sunday worship all week long at SecondChurch.org/Live
UPCOMING EVENTS
SecondChurch.org/Events
Middlers Gathering
December 2 • 7 – 8:30 PM • Luciana's on North Meridian
Women at Second Holiday Luncheon
December 4 • 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM • McFarland Hall
Children's Advent Music Sunday
December 7 • During 10 AM Worship • Sanctuary
Welcome Table
December 7 • 11:15 AM • Parlor
VISITING TODAY?
Thank you for worshiping with Second! Our Hospitality Team would love to connect and welcome you more fully into the life of Second. Scan this QR code and let us know you were here!
Third Grade "The Lord's Prayer" Milestone December 7 and 14 • 4 PM • Rooms 305 & 355
Fifth Grade Service Project December 7 and 14 • 4 PM • Youth Suite East
CNN Family Food Shopping Night December 9 • 6 – 7:30 PM • Youth Suite & Mulitpurpose Room
Men's Pop Up Social
December 10 • 5:30 PM • Turner's in the Stutz Building
Youth Christmas Party
December 10 • 6:30 – 8:30 PM • Youth Suite
Indianapolis Children's Choir: Holiday Memories
December 12-14 • Full Details at icchoir.org/events
Christmas Music Sunday
December 14 • 9 & 11 AM • Sanctuary 8:15 AM • Chapel Worship