Order of Worship

08 December 2024

Have you started the Christmas music and put up the tree? That is okay even if it is still Advent. We can theologically multitask. However, we will keep the process of waiting and the theology of hope with us as we anticipate the meaning of the birth of the Christ child. Today we light the second candle. It is the candle of peace, and we are glad that peace and hope burn side by side. Our theme is "We Can't Go Alone".

Reflect on a time when you experienced loneliness. What practices might help you break free from isolation? How can you support others experiencing loneliness and isolation?

WELCOME TO SHADOW ROCK UCC!

Prelude ~ Carol Medley

Shared by Christne Kyhn and Peter Kyhn arr. Mark Hayes

WELCOME! Thanks for making Shadow Rock your chosen

spiritual family.

GATHERING IN THE SPIRIT’S PRESENCE

Centering Affirmation: Can you go through life alone? Can you help someone who is alone? Can you ask for help when you are alone? We cannot go it alone!

Welcome and Announcements

Led by Pastor Ken

Opening Words

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 Sue Stuart

(Please stand in body, mind, or spirit)

One: In a world that is lonely, we will save a seat for you.

In a world that is anxious, we will light candles against

the gloom.

In a world that is weary, we will sing songs of joy and

truth.

All: I am not alone. We are not alone. For here in this place, God is weaving us together. Light the candles! Sing with joy! We are a three-cord strand, not easily broken.

One: In a weary and worn world, how do we begin again?

Where do we start?

All: Let us begin together. Let us begin arm in arm. Let us begin by holding each other up, instead of tearing each other down. Let us begin with words of peace.

One: Yes, let us begin with peace. Today we light the candles

of hope and peace.

All: May these lights remind us of what could be. May

these lights mark a new beginning. May peace flow like a river, and may it start with us.

One: Arm in arm, hand in hand, side by side. May we begin

again and light our own inner candles. Amen.

Singing Our Faith ~ We Are the Family

Led by Spiritual Play Kids by Ray Repp

Chorus

We are the family and we are the home,

We are the mountain where love can be known.

We are the voices and we are the hands

For bringing peace to our land.

(Repeat)

1. And in our family all are welcome,

Doesn’t matter who you are,

In our home, there’s always room

So plan to stay.

On our mountain where we labor

There’s much work that’s let to do,

And your talents would be helpful if you stay.

Chorus

2. And in our family ev’ry naƟon,

Ev’ry planet, ev’ry race,

Ev’ryone is always welcome to our home.

And with our voices let us tell you

That we mean just what we say,

And with our hands united, let us pray.

Chorus

Prayer for Illumination

Shared by Pastor Ken

Call to Confession

Offered by Sue Stuart

Family of faith, one of the beautiful

things about the prayer of

confession is it is often a prayer we

say together. There are times when

we close our eyes, bow our heads,

and exchange private words with the

God of our understanding. But there

are other times when praying out

loud as a community allows us to

right our relationship with God and

with one another as well. This is one of those moments. So as a community, please join me in our call and response prayer of confession. Join me in speaking the truth of our lives. Join me in practicing grace.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION with our hearts and voices together

Led by Pastor Ken

I have tried to make my own way. I have tried to lace my own shoes, to build my own house, to kindle my own faith. I have said a thousand times, “thanks but no thanks,” as if I am fine on my own. But the days are long and I am forgetful. I need your help.

Can you remind me? We will remind you of this everlasting truth: You are not alone. Where you go, God goes. You are held in grace. Trust in this good news. Thanks be to God! I remember. I believe.

Now, we need your help. We, too, have tried to make our way. We have tried to lace our shoes, to build our own houses, to kindle our faiths. We have said a thousand times, “Thanks, but no thanks," as if we are fine on our own. But the days are long and we are forgetful. We need your help. Can you remind us?

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS

Offered by Linda Pape

My Shadow Rock Family of Faith,

It gives me joy to remind us of this everlasting truth:

You are not alone.

Where you go, God goes.

You are held in grace.

Trust in this good news. Thanks be to God!

We remember. We believe.

Alleluia!

Amen.

Celebrations

Led by Pastor Ken

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful forces on earth. The

cynic says power is the ability to destroy. The spiritual person says the ability to create and recreate is the most powerful force on earth. We celebrate life and love and its power to lead us down the path of forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation.

Special Music for Thinking of You Cards

~ Christmas Time Is Here

by Vince Guaraldi

Shared by Christine Kyhn

In the pew racks are cards with the title “Thinking Of You”. Please use these cards to write a note to someone so they know they are remembered and cared for. Put the card in the offering plate when it comes by and the church office will forward the cards to the person you addressed in the card. This was one of the elements of our time together you lifted up as important for all of us. Thank you! 

This is a good time for you to get a piece of bread and some juice or wine for communion. This allows us to eat and drink together.

Invitation to Rededicate Ourselves to The More of Life

Shared by Sue Stuart

We prepare ourselves for experiencing the act of giving of ourselves and our offerings with the reading of this reflection.

Reflection ~ “Longing for God" By Mother Teresa

Shared by Sue Stuart

We all long for heaven where God is,

but we have it in our power to be in heaven with God

at this very moment.

But being happy with God now means

Loving as God loves,

Helping as God helps,

Giving as God gives,

Serving as God serves,

Rescuing as God rescues,

Being with God twenty-four hours,

Touching God in The Spirit’s distressing disguise.

Offering and Offertory~ Some Children See Him

Shared and arr. ChrisƟne Kyhn

Soloist is Peter Kyhn

Word About Life ~

Shared by Pastor Ken

We are taking time to decorate our home today. The message will not be shared from the pulpit, but it is here for you to read.

The message is based on the story of Ruth and Naomi and is framed as an Advent story. Doing this is nothing new but it may feel new to whoever is reading the message. Keep in mind that the story of Ruth is a story and not history. It is full of irony. It is delicious with irony as you string together the meanings of the names and places. Feel free to contact Pastor Ken if you have questions.

Message Can Be Read Here.

Words For Mission

Led by Sue Stuart

One: May we go forth in the certainty of faith, in the

knowledge of love, and in the vision of hope.

All: And in our going, may we be light to others and be in the light of God and hope.

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.



EMPOWERING AND SENDING

Sending Forth Song ~ O Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Tune: Hyfrydol

1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolaƟon,

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every naƟon,

joy of every longing heart.

2. Joy to those who long to see Thee

Day-spring from on high, appear.

Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse,

Of Thy birth, we long to hear!

O’er the hills the angels singing

News, glad Ɵdings of a birth;

“Go to Him your praises bringing

Christ the Lord has come to earth!”

3. Come to earth to taste our sadness,

He whose glories knew no end.

By His life He brings us gladness,

Our redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.

Leaving riches without number,

Born within a caƩle stall;

This the everlasƟng wonder,

Christ was born the Lord of all.

4. Born thy people to deliver,

born a child and yet a King,

born to reign in us forever,

now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit

rule in all our hearts alone;

by thine all sufficient merit,

raise us to thy glorious throne.

Thank you for being with us!

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.