Preparation for Worship: Gather a bible, 3 candles (if you do not have an advent wreathe at home) and something to light them with. Welcome! Worship is Our Love Offering to God! Gathering. Music to gather and inspire your thoughts: Carol: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Contemporary: Hope was Born this Night Call to Worship by Thom Shuman When our hallelujahs have shattered into pieces: our God comes! Singing new songs to us. When hope lies in tatters at our feet: Our God comes! To mend our brokenness with love. When we think we need to wait: Our God comes! To reign forever in our hearts. Opening prayer O God, whose will is justice for the poor and peace for the afflicted, Let your herald’s urgent voice pierce our hardened hearts and announce the dawn of your kingdom. Before the advent of the One who baptizes with the fire of the Holy Spirit, let our complacency give way to conversion, oppression to justice, and conflict to acceptance of one another in Christ. We ask this through the One whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN Lighting the Third Advent Candle by Ben Gosden Reader: (May also be read by different voices alternating lines) Good news, God is filling the hungry with good things! Good news, God is lifting up the lowly! Good news, God is about do his mightiest work! He will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth from all nations. We light the third Advent candle remembering that God’s Promised One comes to comfort all who are afflicted and to afflict all who might be too comfortable. Light three candles Come, Lord Jesus. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Amen. Advent Song Vs.3 The Faith We Sing # 2090. Light the advent candle, three: Think of heavenly harmony Angels singing “Peace on Earth” at the blessed Savior’s birth. Candle, candle, burning bright, shining in the cold winter night; Candle, candle, burning bright, fill our hearts with Christmas light. Sharing God’s Word Scripture Readings: Isaiah 35: 1-10, James 5: 7-10 The Gospel according to Matthew 1: 18-25 Reader: God’s word for God’s people All: Thanks be to God. Music for Meditation: A Strange Way to Save the World. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGsarig0V2c Entering God’s Word Together: Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes. How might you react to a heavenly messenger’s appearance? Who speaks in this passage? What does God need Joseph to do? Why does Joseph agree? Morning Message "What a Man's Got to Do." by Karen L. Munson Praying Together Receive God’s gift of time to be in prayer, offering God any burdens or joys that you are aware of for yourself, others, the world. Don’t rush. Receive silence as well as words. God has all the time in the world for you! Then join in praying with Jesus: Our father, who art in heaven, hollowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. AMEN. Sharing gifts and self: If you are worshiping with others, take turns naming God’s spiritual gifts that you recognize in each other. Make sure that everyone has a gift named! If you are worshipping by yourself, take a few minutes to name the gifts you recognize in at least 3 people you know. Next, name gifts that God has placed in your life this day. Prayer of Thanksgiving by Thom Shuman It is your nature to be holy, and gracious in the giving of Jesus, your Child, our salvation. He comes to the barren places, so life might blossom in us. He comes into our brokenness, so we might be made whole. He comes into our silence, telling us of your miracles of grace and hope. He went into our death, and comes forth bringing resurrection for all. As we prepare to celebrate his birth and to journey with him once again, we thank you for giving in Jesus. AMEN Witnessing to God’s Grace at Work Going Forth to Serve and Share *Call, email, or text at least one person to share God’s love. *Think about whether you know someone in your neighborhood or church who might appreciate being checked on in the storm. *Don’t forget to check the Grace Notes (updated on the web site) for what’s going on! http://www.umcbrunswick.org/grace-notes-e-news-and-monthly-newsletters.html
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Karen L MunsonUnited Methodist Pastor & litugical artist Archives
December 2015
Categories |