Order of Worship
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!
Focus: “The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord.” – Henri Nouwen
Welcome: Rev. Paula Norbert
Gathering Music: What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise One, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him: I will give my heart.
Reader: The promise of Hope is the Divine Gift we receive.
People: And what will we do with it?
Reader: The gift of hope is an essential survival tool
because it reminds us that the hard times do not have the last word. Hope is not simply a wish. Hope calls us into action based on a belief that things can be different. We can work to bring about the better world that we hope for.
People: We light this Candle of Hope as a sign that we will be Present with Hope in the world.
Advent Wreath: Lighting the Wreath
Opening Prayer: Holy Living Light of God,
you are our Hopeful Presence. Let this hope grow
in our lives each day, so we can be a Present of Hope
to others. Unwrap and open our hearts.
May it be so. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Opening Hymn: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus #82
Scripture: Psalm 80: 1-2 and 1 Corinthians 1: 4-7 – Ada Goff
Gospel and Meditation: Mark 13: 24-37 Rev. Paula Norbert
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and The Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Music: Meditative Instr. (by Michelle Currie) -Michelle Currie
Musical Call to Prayer: (sung 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: Light of the World (by Lauren Daigle) -Michelle Currie
Doxology: Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise God all creatures here below. Praise God above ye heavenly hosts, Creator, Christ and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Closing Music: O Come, O Come Emmanuel #8 vs. 1&2
Blessing: “The good news of Jesus Christ is that God is with us, no matter what, no matter where, no matter when.
There is no place you can go where God is not,
no time of the day when God is off the clock.
This is the teaching of the Incarnation, God with us, Emmanuel.”
-adapted from Amy Oden, Right Here, Right Now
So now go and be truly present
so you may be a gift of presence for others. That’s all that is expected —that the gift that is YOU is the best gift you can give.
In the name of the Holy Presence, the Divine Gift, and the Spirit of Hope that is just waiting for us to unwrap abundant life. 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 our Music Director, Michelle Currie and to our Reader and Deacons today. Thanks too to those who provide our refreshments following the Service each week.