Reflecting the Sacred
Let us be as open vessels that God’s spirit may enter.
The Community Gathers: Experience God’s presence in the assembly. Please greet one another with joy and welcome new friends into our community of love.
You are welcome here…come and worship!
Welcome:
Pre-Gathering Music: Upon this Moment
(by Marcia McFee) -Michelle & The Congregation
Upon this moment, upon this people,
upon this place, the holy comes.
And sacred knowing brings sacred being
for sacred doing of God’s plan.
Gathering Music: The Hope of Christmas (by Matthew West)
-Michelle Currie
Reader: Please repeat after me:
We pray for Hope this day.
We pray for Hope this day.
We open to see the Sacred reflected in all things.
We open to see the Sacred reflected in all things.
We open to see each moment
We open to see each moment
as a gift of holy presence.
as a gift of holy presence.
This is the gift of the Christ Mystery,
This is the gift of the Christ Mystery,
lighting the way to hope.
lighting the way to hope.
Advent Wreath: Lighting the wreath
Music: Upon This Moment
Upon this moment, upon this people,
upon this place, the holy comes.
And sacred knowing brings sacred being
for sacred doing of God’s plan.
Opening Prayer:
Living God, Christ Mystery, Spirit of Hope,
we give you thanks for this holy moment together.
As we take in the hope you offer, may we be a reflection
of your light, expanding[P1] the sacred time of “right now”
into the sacred time of “always and for all time.” Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Opening Hymn: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus #82
Scripture: Romans 13: 11-14, Matthew 24: 36-44 -Rich Westley
Sermon: Waiting and Wondering Rev. Paula Norbert
Music: Instrumental Meditation ~ Michelle Currie
Musical call to Prayer: (two times) Hush now in quiet peace, be still your mind at ease. The Spirit brings release, so wait upon the Lord.
Prayers of the People
Silent Prayers Pastoral Prayer
Offertory: Simple Gifts (by Elder Joseph Brackett) -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Cre-ator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Closing Music: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
#88 vs. 1-3
Blessing:
When you see lights twinkle,
when you catch a reflection in a mirror,
when you notice the sunlight dancing on a surface
or a candle glowing in the darkness,
let these be signs that the Christ Light is revealed
again and again in and through this world.
Know that your brilliant presence
is pouring more hope into a weary world.
God loved us by becoming us.
This means you are already reflecting the sacred.
In the name of the Creator, Christ, and Spirit of Hope.
Amen.
Postlude: We Need a Silent Night In Here (by Marsha Jean Moors-Charles/Chuck Bell) -Michelle & Congregation
We need a silent night in here.
We need your presence to come near.
Give us the hope we seek
and the peace we need.
We need a silent night in here.
Give us the hope we seek
and the peace we need.
We need a silent night in here.
With Great thanks to Michelle Currie and to our Zoom Host and Readers today.
Worship Notes: Worship series design © Worship Design Studio by Marcia McFee. Used, adapted, and live-streamed with permission. www.worshipdesignstudio.com.