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: “In the silence of a midwinter dusk, there is a sound so faint that for all you can tell it may be only the sound of the silence itself. You hold your breath to listen. You are aware of the beating of your heart. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment.” -Frederick Buechner
Welcome: Like the childhood game of “musical chairs,” we are convinced that there are not enough places at the table. And so we shrink the guest list just in case there is not enough, and we scramble to occupy the chairs first. And yet our sacred texts invite us to imagine and make real the gathering of all people to the table, robed in the garments of a Peace that comes with justice. This is what really matters–this is the fruit of what is right and good.
Gathering Music: Prince of Peace (by Monica Scott)
-Michelle Currie
Lighting the Advent Wreath: -Sharon Gaudin
Today we offer the Light of Peace to illumine the Door of Welcome. (We light the 2nd purple candle)
May this light shine in our hearts, in our lives, and in our church. May Peace awaken us to possibilities and lead us to greater hospitality. There IS room in this Inn, a House for the Holy. Peace waits for us at Advent. Peace waits for us to rest. Peace waits for our acceptance of the truth that we are blessed. Peace is born in us each day.
Call To Worship:
L: Welcome today to this time of preparation.
P: Although we have been preparing for celebrations, we come seeking to prepare our hearts to receive God’s Good News.
L: Get ready! The Lord is bringing Hope and Peace to each of us.
P: How wonderful it is that our God is showering us with Peace.
L: Open your hearts and let your spirits be quieted. Be at peace.
P: O Holy One, prepare our lives and bring us your peace. Amen.
Opening Hymn: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear #123
vs. 1,2 & 5
Opening Prayer:
We have prepared our homes, and our gifts, O God, but we need help in preparing our spirits to receive your message of Peace. Free us from the stresses and strains of this time, and place your peace which passes all human understanding into our hearts. For we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Awakening: This Is My Wish (by Kevin Ross) -Michelle Currie
Scripture: Baruch 5: 1-5, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6
-Sharon Gaudin
Sermon: Welcoming Peace Rev. Paula Norbert
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
Words of Invitation The Bread and The Cup
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Music: Silent Night w/Peace (by Franz Xaver Gruber/Joseph Mohr/John Freeman Young/Casey Corum) -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
Closing Music: Let There Be Peace on Earth *See lyric insert
Benediction:
May God’s Door of Welcome
swing open in your heart and in your life.
May Christ’s humble first dwelling
remind you of the plenty you already know.
And may the Spirit lead you into
more possibility and hospitality than you can imagine,
making room in The Inn for all. May it be so for you.
May it be so for us. May it be so for this church. Amen
Postlude: We Need a Silent Night In Here
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.
LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH
Let there be peace on earth
Ans let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God our Creator
Brothers and sisters all are we
Let me walk with my family
In peace and harmony
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With ev’ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To Take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
David A. Redding, from If I Could Pray Again (1965)
Adult Advent Announcement
O Lord,
Let Advent begin again
In us,
Not merely in commercials;
For that first Christmas was not
Simply for children,
But for the
Wise and the strong.
It was
Crowded around that cradle,
With kings kneeling.
Speak to us
Who seek an adult seat this year.
Help us to realize,
As we fill stockings,
Christmas is mainly
For the old folks —
Bent backs
And tired eyes
Need relief and light
A little more.
No wonder
It was grown-ups
Who were the first
To notice
Such a star.