Hybrid Worship

December 18, 2022

Sunday Morning Greetings!


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


It's the Fourth 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! This week, we're unpacking our Advent and Christmas experiences... those that are joyous to recall and those from which we are seeking healing. We'll also have a hot beverage and some easy crafts. All ages are welcome.

Worship - 10:15 am
Click Here to Join Zoom

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?

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

We believe in the God of justice and righteousness, and God 

believes in us to carry forth the work of love and care. Let us now share our gifts and resources so that we may continue to walk humbly with God and with neighbors. We imagine our gifts winging joyously into the world to do justice! Through our giving, may all people know that they are loved.


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: We go forth knowing that we are loved by God. We go forth leading lives that are signs of God’s grace. We go forth with anticipation for the restoration that is to come.

All: And in our going, may God bless and keep us all. May God’s face shine on us, on our friends and our families, granting us peace. 

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 ~

"Good Christian Friends, Rejoice"

Good Christian friends, rejoice

with heart and soul and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say,

Jesus Christ is born today.

Ox and ass before him bow,

and he is in the manger now,

Christ is born today, Christ is born today!


Good Christian friends, rejoice

with heart, and soul, and voice;

Now ye hear of endless bliss,

Jesus Christ was born for this!

He hath opened heaven’s door,

and we are blest forevermore.

Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!


Today's our last Sermon Reboot of 2022! See you in the Narthex or on zoom for this

free-wheeling discussion that begins with responses to the sermon.