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:
Gathering Music:
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.
Reader:
We pray for Love this day.
We pray for Love 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 love.
lighting the way to love.
Advent Wreath:
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 Love,
we give you thanks for this holy gathering of Beloveds.
As we take in the love you offer,
may we be a reflection of your light,
expanding the sacred presence you have promised
into the sacred presence we can offer. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Opening Hymn: People Look East #105 vs. 1,2,4 & 5
Scripture: Romans 15: 4-13, Matthew 3: 1-12 -Maureen White
Reflection: Rev. Paula Norbert
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and The Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Music: Instrumental Meditation
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: Usher In Love (by Jen Comeau)
-Jen Comeau & 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 Hymn: While We Are Waiting, Come #92
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 nightlight 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 love
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 Love. 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 & Guest Musician Jen Comeau, 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.
The shiny additions to our Advent and Christmas visuals remind us that we are called to reflect the sacred each and every day. “Incarnation” is a word that means that God’s presence came to dwell among all people, and we believe this happened in a special way in the birth of Jesus. All creation has always been imbued with the Creator’s brilliance. This season, we will remember the call to shine with this holy light.
Prayers and Reflections
When you regarded me
Your eyes imprinted your grace in me,
In this, you loved me again,
And thus my eyes merited
To also love what you see in me…
Let us go forth together to see ourselves in Your beauty.
St. John of the Cross, Spiritual Canticle
Gentle me,
Holy One,
into an unclenched moment,
a deep breath,
a letting go
of heavy expectancies,
of shriveling anxieties,
of dead certainties,
that, softened by the silence,
surrounded by the light,
and open to the mystery.
I may be found by wholeness,
upheld by the unfathomable,
entranced by the simple,
and filled with the joy
that is You.
Ted Loder
Life is short and we do not have much time
to gladden the hearts of those
who make this earthly pilgrimage with us.
So, be swift to love,
make haste to do kindness,
shower abundant hospitality on friend and stranger,
walk in justice that you may follow the path of mercy and love.
And the blessing of God who comes to us unbidden,
who for our lives was broken,
and in whose Spirit we are guided into wholeness and holiness of life,
be upon you and those who you love and pray
for this day, and forevermore.
Amen.
From Sabbath Moments, Rev. Terry Hershey