Order of Worship

31 December 2023

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Prelude ~

Shared by Travis Meyers


Welcome and Announcements

Shared by Pastor Ken


Opening Words

Led by Pastor Ken


One: Who are we and what are we called to do?

All: We are the sensitive and responsive ones called

to create a world where every person is radically

affirmed and barriers between people become

bridges of inclusion, justice, and spirituality.



Call to Worship

Led by Roy Zaborowski


One: On a gentle Arizona winter breeze, a peaceful Word is whispered,

All: From the mountain tops, a triumphant Word rings out,

One: From the depths of the desert comes the roar of a mighty Word,

All: The birds sing out a joyous Word,

One: All of creation calls out the Word,

All: Jesus the Christ is born, Hallelujah.


Singing Our Welcome For the Season

~ Go Tell It On the Mountain


Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born


While shepherds kept their watching

O'er silent flocks by night

Behold throughout the heavens

There shone a Holy light. Chorus


The shepherds feared and trembled

When, lo! Above the Earth

Rang out the angel chorus

That hailed our Savior's birth.


Go, tell it on the mountain

Over the hills and everywhere

Go, tell it on the mountain

That Jesus Christ is born


Down in a lowly manger

Our humble Christ was born

And brought us all salvation

That blessed Christmas morn.

Chorus

Opening Prayer

Led by Roy Zaborowski

 

Over the past four Sundays we as Shadow Rock lit our

Advent candles.

We light them again and remember the ways of hope,

joy, awe, and love. When we are at our best, these

qualities are brought to birth in, through, and among, all

creation.

(Four candles lit)


Last Sunday we lit our Christmas Eve candles. It was a

time for memories, to wonder, and to give thanks. It was

an experience of quiet awakening to beauty that still lives

on through the strife of personal griefs and a challenging

world.


This morning we come to light our Christmas candle.

It is a friendly candle. It brings light and love as we

celebrate in the coolness of our Arizona winter.

It is a candle of understanding which drives away fear.

It is a candle of truth. It can lead us on unknown paths to

learn more about the mysteries of life.

All: Once upon a time a baby was born who

taught us to love and understand one another.

And they called his name, Jesus.

(The Christmas Candle is lit)

The Prayer of Jesus Sung Responsively



Our Creator in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your Kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily

bread.

Forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those

Who trespass against us.

Save us from the time of

trial,

And deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the

power,

And the glory are yours

Now and forever.

Amen

Celebrations and Celebration Song

Led by Pastor Ken


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

anniversaries, and words of peace and justice. We celebrate

sorrows and grief as part of our comprehensive view of life.

Give voice to goodness!


Celebrate your heart and your spirit.

Celebrate your life while you live it.

Even when it’s hard to do, celebrate the best of you!

Celebrate your dreams and your visions.

Celebrate the love you’ve been given.

Cherish all that you’ve been through.

Celebrate the best of you!

Invitation to Give

Led by Roy Zaborowski


One: We rejoice in the new world God is creating around us and with us.


All: May our gifts proclaim the way of Jesus and strengthen a faithful people.


One: May we be blessed and healed for we come in love

and in trust.


All: May we be blessed and healed for we come

in love and expectant hope.


In response to our celebrations and the deep goodness of life, our offerings for the

celebration of life, in this place and beyond, shall now be

received.

 

Give Online

 

Offerings and Offertory ~

Shared by Travis Meyers


Dedication of Our Offerings

Led by Roy Zaborowski

 

One: Because we can hope, we know that we can give, expecting what we offer to be multiplied many times over, knowing that it will create positive change.

All: In this Advent season, we dedicate our offerings to the building of a more hopeful and peaceful world.

One: May the Christmas story with all its power bring alive our individual hopes into one large outpouring that is significant, life-affirming and blessed for all people.

 

Word About Life For Today

Shared by Pastor Ken             

Words For Mission   

Led by Roy Zaborowski


One: When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the [wise women and men] are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

All: To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among all people,

To make music in the heart.

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 ~ Prayer of St. Francis

Led by Travis Meyers


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.


O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Sermon Reboot is OFF for today.


This is a time to talk about the message and explore together using the ORID Art Form Conversation methodology. What is ORID? It stands for Observation, Reflection, Interpretation, and Decision. You will get the hang of it.