Hybrid Worship

December 11, 2022

Sunday Morning Greetings!


No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. 


It's the Third Sunday in Advent, the season of joyous anticipation in the weeks leading to Christmas.

Spiritual Formation 9:00 am

Learning and Growing

Are For Everyone!


9 o'clock Spiritual Formation is the beginning of our Sunday morning "bundle" of belonging! For this week and again on the 18th, we're planning an all-ages discussion of Advent including some easy crafts and laughter. Come join us!

Worship - 10:15 am
Click Here to Join Zoom

THE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE WORSHIP


Prelude


Welcome and Announcements


Singing Our Faith ~ "O Come, All Ye Faithful"

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him, born the King of angels,

O come, let us adore him, o come let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,

O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above.

Glory to God in the highest,

O come, let us adore him, o come, let us adore him,

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!


Opening Prayer

Spirit of Life and Love, you are in and on the earth always but we need reminding. So, we observe Advent with the promise of your coming to be with us. During this season of Advent, heal our hearts. Help us to love more fully, to forgive more generously, and to wait more patiently for Christmas. May we embrace each day and hour knowing the joy that is to come. Amen.


Advent Scripture - Matthew 11:2-11

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."


As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."


Call to Worship

One: Our souls magnify the Lord. Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior! 

All: We come today with eager hope, awaiting God’s new revelation.

One: The mighty One has done great things! God’s mercy covers generations.

All: We come today with ready peace, trusting with  anticipation.

One: The One who lifted up the lowly and filled the hungry, dwells with us.

All: We come today with fervent joy, we worship with great expectation.



PROCESSING OUR EXPERIENCES AND

RESPONDING IN COMMUNITY


Advent Candlelighting with Reflection

Observe: What word or phrase do you recall from the scripture?

As you consider the theme “A Season for the Broken,” what word comes to mind? 

Reflect: What feeling word describes your emotional state?

Interpret: If you could offer a theme for today’s worship that sums up what’s going on for you right now, what would it be? What heading would you write for this morning’s scripture passage?

Decide: What decisions lie ahead for you? How will you approach the Advent season this year? What needs healing for you in the season?

Celebrations

At this time, we share moments from our lives: birthdays, 

anniversaries, works of peace and justice. We celebrate even sorrows and grief as part of a comprehensive view of life. 


Celebration Song

Joy to the world! The Lord is come!

Let earth its praises bring;

Let every heart prepare Christ room,

And heaven and nature sing, 

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and heaven and nature sing.


Invitation to Give

As recipients of the generosity of God, let us share our generosity with each other and the community. We stand in the flow of gifts: giving and receiving, both done in gratitude and grace.


Offering and Offertory

Give Online

LEARNING AND MOVING INTO THE WORLD


Word About Life for Today

Shared by Rev. Ken Heintzelman


Words for Mission

One: Let us go forth knowing that we are led by God, that we are held by God, that we are loved by God.

All: Knowing this by faith, we stand as a signal pointing toward mystery and glory.

One: These are the times!

All: We are the people.

One: All of Creation is blessed.

All: May we love all and serve all.

One: May God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: Amen.

All: Amen.


Sending Forth Song ~

"Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn"

Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn, 

for angels herald its dawning,

Sing out your joy, for Jesus is born.

Behold, the Child of our longing.

Come as a baby weak and poor, to bring all hearts together,

to open wide the heavenly door, and lives now inside us forever.


Sermon Reboot is back! See you in the Narthex or on zoom for this free-wheeling discussion that begins with responses to the sermon.