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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?
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