THE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE WORSHIP
Prelude
Welcome and Announcements
Singing Our Faith ~ "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"
O come, Desire of nations bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease;
Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Chorus: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
O come, thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Chorus
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 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
Call to Worship
One: We come seeking a sign from You, seeking acceptance and grace. Even in the midst of the season of joy, we are weary.
All: Restore and refresh us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
One: We come seeking to worship You, seeking presence and connection. We come seeking rest.
All: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be brought to life.
One: We come seeking to witness your strength, through the birth of a child in the coming days.
All: Renew us, O God; let your face shine, that we may love and serve more fully.
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 “The Way Home,” 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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