Tag: advent

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 24th Morning

 

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A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.
 These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Dec 24th Morning 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Rev. Kate Johnson Martin

John 1:1-18 And Psalm 130:5-8

Call to Worship  [adapted from John 1]

Leader:  In the beginning,

People:  was the Word and the Word was with God.

Leader:  In the beginning,

People: was life and it was the light of all people.

Leader: In the beginning,

People: the light defeated the darkness and love was born forever.

Leader: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

People: Let us worship the Giver of Love and Life!

Advent Candle – Love    (Psalm 130:5-8 NRSV)

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

    and in his word I hope;

6 my soul waits for the Lord

    more than those who watch for the morning,

    more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord!

    For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

    and with him is great power to redeem.

8 It is he who will redeem Israel

    from all its iniquities.

Response:  Sing “Love Came Down at Christmas” (stanzas 1 and 3) – Christina Georgina Rossetti

1 Love came down at Christmas,

love all lovely, Love divine;

Love was born at Christmas;

star and angels gave the sign.

3 Love shall be our token,

love be yours and love be mine;

love to God and others,

love for plea and gift and sign.

Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Pardon

Confession:

God of love and life, we kneel before you with hearts seeking to reflect the love you bring to us with the gift of a baby, the gift of yourself in the flesh.  As much as we strive to be the ongoing Body of Christ to the world, we know we have too often failed to truly love as you would love.  Please forgive us for the hurt we have inflicted, the dishonor we have shown, and the failure to see and respond when your love has been needed. Help us to know in our hearts more perfectly your divine gift of love and to better be your true hands and heart in the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Words of Assurance and Pardon:

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.  Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [John 3:16-17]

On this special day of anticipation, remember the gift of God’s son who was born to save us from our sins.  In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

Response: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

Dedication of Offering

Almighty God, we give thanks for the bounty in our lives, knowing that all comes from you.  Please accept these gifts in the name of your son who you gave us as an infant and for whom we wait once again. In this special season of giving, may these offerings be particularly blessed for uses that will testify to the love and name of Jesus Christ that all may know the Messiah has come to save all peoples for all time.  Amen.

Holy Communion: Great Thanksgiving and Words of Institution and Blessing

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: God of all creation and all times, you formed your world and all the universe from nothing and made it to be a place of plenty and sustenance for all creatures. You formed us into being in your image and breathed into us life. You gave us the prophets of old and Moses who delivered your law that your children might grow in love and perfection.

When your children failed to keep your covenants, you did not give up on us. You became flesh so that we truly could know you, Emmanuel, God with us. You came as a baby to grow as we must grow, to endure life as we endure it, and to suffer and die as we must suffer and die. You raised him from the dead so that we might understand your perfect love for us and also rise one day. Through your son, Jesus Christ, we came to know the magnitude of your divine love, healing from our brokenness, and the promise of eternal life.

Before his death and resurrection, Jesus dined with his disciples one final time and gave them the gifts that continue to bless us even today.

He took the bread, gave thanks to you, broke it and said, “Take, eat. This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Following the meal, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, broke it and said, “Drink this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.  As often as you drink this, remember me.”

We give you thanks for Jesus the Christ, Love Incarnate, as we offer ourselves to you as a living and holy sacrifice in union with Christ and as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

People: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Pour out your love on this bread and fruit of the vine that we will know them as the body and blood of Christ.  Make us one with Christ and one with the world for the transformation of your kingdom on earth until the day it is one with the kingdom of heaven and we are united with you for eternity.

Dec. 3rd by Rev. Johanna  Rehbaum 

Dec. 10th by Rev. Mike Williams

Dec. 17th by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks

Dec 24th Christmas Eve by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Christmas Eve Dec. 24th

Prayer Resource for Narrative Lectionary in Advent, written by diverse pastors

images
A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.
 These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Dec 24th 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins  

Luke 21:1-20 and Psalm 96:7-10

Call to Worship

Like the shepherds at the manger of the little tiny Babe,

on that first Christmas Day, all are welcome;

Come worship the little One who will one day rule the world;

Come, all ye who are called to share the divinity of the Christ Child;

Come.  Let us worship our Lord together.

OR

Responsive Call to Worship (Psalm 96:7-10, NIV)

Leader: Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations,

People: ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Leader: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

People: bring an offering and come into his courts.

Leader: Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;

People: tremble before him, all the earth.

Leader: Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”

People: The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;

Leader: He will judge the peoples with equity.

Opening Prayer

O most gracious and ever loving Father;

We come, as your children, to be with you.

We come to experience the love you have for us as revealed by the birth

of your son over 2000 years ago.

Just a babe, not knowing what His life would bring, he obeyed your will.

The most precious baby born among us … to live with us … to love us … to save us.

Be with us Father, as we worship and remember that day O so long ago.  Amen.

Advent Wreath Prayer (adapted from umcdiscipleship.org)

Reader: “While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger” (Luke 2:6-7).

Reader: Tonight, angels far and near sing tender lullabies; well-worn fabric full of years holds in the warmth of parental love; animals and shepherds crowd in tight, glowing with adoration, while a muffled cry squeezes out to greet the world.

People: Tonight we give thanks for every child among us. Each new birth, regardless of circumstances, reminds us how precious life is, the potential of tomorrow, and the promise of God.

Reader: On this Christmas Eve, we light the Christ candle for the child-King, the infant-Redeemer, the lowly-Lord.  And now we know … He is born, and nothing will ever be the same!

Hymn:  Infant Lowly

Prayer of Confession / Assurance

Almighty God and Father;

Delight in our pleas for forgiveness as we repent of our sins.

We come before you shameful that a little Babe had to be born into this dark world,

and then suffer to save us.

We come wholly committed to doing your will;

we accept your Son, Jesus the Christ, as our Lord and Savior.

Teach us to forgive as you have forgiven us.  Let us hold no grudges.

Keep us from prideful acts and hurtful behavior.

Show us the path of love as we struggle in our human flesh.

Teach us your ways and remind us daily of our need to give up bad habits, anger,

unforgiveness, and all the things that keep us from being close to you.

Most Holy One, the birth of your Son, Jesus the Christ child, assures us of a future with you;

a future of joy, happiness and peace.

He came to be born this day to save us from eternal damnation.

Through him you poured upon us your grace, hope and forgiveness.

Help us to see this little babe in the manger, not as a cute cuddly baby that we’d

like to snuggle and rock, but as the Savor and King you sent him to be.  Amen.

We ask all these things, in the name of the tiny babe, Jesus the Christ,

whose birth we celebrate today.  Amen.

Hymn:  What Child is This

Communion Prayer

For the Bread

We give thanks Father for this Bread of Life,

for your Son, born to die.

We remember the sacrifice He made

so that we can have the opportunity to live in your presence.

Let us never forget the reason he so willingly came to us this night.

As we partake in this meal we remember the babe,

who so willingly gave all for us.

For the Cup

We give you thanks Father for the cup of eternal salvation,

for the healing he brought us.

By taking of this cup we experience the glory of your majesty.

By taking this cup we experience your saving grace

By taking this cup we experience faith and hope so freely given

In this communion encounter may we experience

oneness with you, may we experience your presence,

and may we go forth into the world sharing your light.

Prayer of Dedication / Offering

Gracious Father,

You gave us your son;

we give you our lives.

You supply our needs;

we share with the needy.

You are generous with us.

We return a portion of that which you have so graciously given us.

Bless these gifts, dear Lord;

that they will be used for your purpose and for your kingdom.

Hymn:  Silent Night

 

Dec. 3rd by Rev. Johanna  Rehbaum 

Dec. 10th by Rev. Mike Williams

Dec. 17th by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks

Dec. 24th Morning by Rev. Kate Johnson Martin

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 17th

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A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.
 These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Dec 17th, 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Pagán-Banks

Isaiah 55:1-13 and John 4:13-14

Call to Worship from Psalm 126

One Voice:  Beloved, as we gather on this third Sunday of Advent, let us recall with gladness the God who has kept us thus far.

ALL:  We gather with mouths filled with laughter, and we lift our voices with shouts of joy.  Even through our tears and our struggles in these times, we rejoice for we know that we are never alone.  Today, we can boldly declare in all circumstances that the Lord has done great things for us.  Our joyful praise belongs to God. Alleluia and amen.

Call to Confession

Too often we lose sight of what is important and what is good for our souls—our bodies even! We spend our resources, our time and our energy on things that are not life-affirming or joy-inspiring—and sometimes we even fill up on things that cause harm to us, others and our planet.

Let us take a moment and reflect on the things we need to let go of? those places in our lives we need God to restore? Let us confess our sins, not out of guilt but with a desire to have our joy made complete in God. Let us pray in silence…

(Moment of Silent Prayer)

Prayer of Assurance

Sisters, brothers, siblings—God desires to be in right relationship with each and every one of us.  Just as God forgave David and promised God’s steadfast love to him—so it is for us.  Let us with joyful hearts turn back to God and as the prophet Isaiah declares “be led back in peace.” Having claimed this peace for ourselves, let us now share the sign of peace with one another.

Lighting of the Advent Candle

One Voice:  Today we light the 3rd Advent Candle—the candle which represents joy.

ALL:  In the lighting of this candle—we invoke God’s joy into this holy season, which can be painful and lonely for so many.  We declare God’s joy in these times when the world is filled with hardness and hate.  We believe that God’s promise of joy is everlasting and burns boldly within each and every one of us.  Like the light of this flame, today we let our joy shine for all the world to see! Amen.

Dec 3rd by Rev. Johanna Rehbaum

Dec 10th by Rev. Mike Williams

Dec. 24th Christmas Morning by Rev. Kate Johnson Martin

Dec 24th Christmas Eve by Rev. Lee Ann Higgins

 

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 10th

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Dec 10th 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Mike Williams

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Call to Worship:
Leader: The frenzied pace of the holiday season and a frantic news cycle can leave us dry and brittle.
People: And yet, the hand of the Lord still comes upon us.
Leader: We find ourselves in the valley wondering whether life is possible.
People: And yet, the Spirit sets us down where we need to be.
Leader: We come together today seeking to hear the Word of the Lord.
People: Come, Lord God, speak to us. Breathe upon us, that we may live.
Call to Confession:
The Lord has spoken to us through prophets and through God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. Despite this, we often feel lost and completely cut off. Confession is an opportunity to take an honest look at ourselves and to ask for the Holy Spirit to come upon us once more. Please join me as we pray together the prayer of confession…
Prayer of Confession:
O Lord, our God, you have called us to be your people and to stand on your Word. Even though you have granted us hope, breath, and life itself, we confess that we have allowed the noise, violence, and injustice of this world to dry up our faith. Sin leads us to graves of our own making. Speak to us once more, O God. Bring us back. Help us to live. Cause us once more to know that your Son, Jesus Christ, is our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Words of Assurance:
Mortals, the good news of our faith is this, Jesus has opened up the grave and brought us back to the land of the living. We have been forgiven. The Holy Spirit is at work within us. We shall live as God’s own people. Know that the Lord has spoken and acted on our behalf. Through Christ we can be at peace. Amen.
Passing of the Peace:
In his vision, Ezekiel saw the life-giving power of God’s Spirit at work. That same Holy Spirit is present with us in worship today. Let us share the peace that we have received through the passing of the peace.
Lighting of the Advent Candle:
Reader 1: Our world is often frightening and overwhelming. Peace seems absent from the headlines. Such situations are nothing new. Ezekiel lived in a time of exile. His vision of a valley of dry bones reminds us that people have always dealt with violence and injustice. Peace was in as short supply then as it is today. Fortunately, God did not allow the story to end there. Ezekiel was called to prophesy a message of restoration, life, and peace.
Reader 2: During Advent we prepare to receive the one who was able to overcome death and offer us everlasting peace. Today we light the candle of peace. We remember that Jesus was called the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. In John 14:27 he offered that peace to his disciples, and to all of us, when he said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”
Reader 1: We light this candle as a sign of the peace of Christ given to us. (light the candle)
Reader 2: May we always remember this peace and allow it to sustain us throughout this Advent season. Let us pray…
People: Almighty God, we seek to love you and live in the Spirit of truth. Often, however, we find ourselves overcome by the world. In this moment we ask you to reveal yourself to us once more. Help us to remember the peace that your Son offers. Prepare us once more to receive him throughout this Advent season. Amen.

Prayer Links for Advent Narrative Lectionary Dec. 3rd

Prayer Resource for Narrative Lectionary in Advent, written by diverse pastors

images

A broad number of prayers from a variety of pastors/denominations. All variations of theology and kinds of prayers were accepted to show the vast richness of God’s work.
 These prayers are meant for personal spiritual practice or for congregations who follow the narrative lectionary.

Feel free to use/edit. Credit to the original author (i.e. based on prayer written by XXX) appreciated.

Dec 3rd 2017 Prayer Resource Created by Rev. Johanna  Rehbaum 

Daniel 3:1, 8-30 and John 18:36-37

CALL TO WORSHIP from Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;
 he inclined to me and heard my cry. 
He put a new song in my mouth,
   a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord. 
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust,
   who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. 

  

PRAYER AND CONFESSION

We wait in hope for a God who enters the fiery furnace of the unstable places of our world, who enters the world’s darkness, who enters into our sin. Let us prepare to meet God, but entering into a time of prayer and confession…

 

Silence for reflection: when has your trust in God faltered this week? When have you put your trust in false promises?

 

God of the Fiery Furnace, Have mercy on us. We confess that when our feet are to the flames of life’s demands, our response is too often to turn our attention away from you and away from our neighbor. We put our trust in other gods, other idols, that offer false promises of relief. We seek consolation from quick fixes, and not from a relationship with you. Forgive us, God, for the times we have turned inward instead of toward you, and help us to trust in you and walk in your will and ways.

 

Assurance of Pardon:

Comfort, O comfort my people,

says your God. God is with us in the fiery furnaces of life.

In ☩ Jesus Christ your sins are forgiven

and all things are made new.

Amen.

 

LIGHTING OF THE WREATH

Despite the shadows of this world, we dare to hope. As we light this candle, we gave thanks to God that even when we are overcome with sin and doubt, God’s light promises to scatter the darkness.

 

Light Advent wreath.

 

Let us pray… Come, Lord Jesus,

Come and upset our carefully guarded routine, our carefully ordered structure.

Come crashing in
, making yourself heard in the cacophony.

Come tiptoeing in
, making us sit up and take notice.

Surprise us with all the ways you are present for us.

Bring calm and reassurance
 that your love never falters
 and that your spirit never leaves us.

Come, Lord Jesus,
 be known in our imperfect lives today and by your presence, cleanse and renew us
 with your unpredictable spirit today.
 Amen.

(adapted from Spill the Beans)

 

OPENING SONG: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

 

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel.

 

O come, O Branch of Jesse, free

Your own from Satan’s tyranny;

From depths of hell your people save,

And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel.

 

O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer;

O Sun of justice, now draw near

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death’s dark shadow put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel.

 

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY

God of fiery flames,

Even the most raging fire could not destroy your servants when they called upon you in faith. Give us faith to withstand anything that rages to deter us from following you.

Amen

(by Kimberly Leetch)

A Resource:Narrative Lectionary Advent Prayers

Many Thanks to those who have pitched in to write prayers. Page will be edited as more prayers come in.

These are resources, seeds and jumping off points. Hopeful they are useful!

advent-candles-with-messages

 

Advent 1 Nov 27 Daniel 6:6-27 Daniel in the Lions’ Den Luke 23:1-5

Author: Pastor Andrea Allen Advent theme is “God Makes a New Home in Us.”

Advent Wreath: Psalm 62: Hope

v. 5-8 For God alone my soul waits in silence,
for my hope is from him. 
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 
7 On God rests my deliverance and my honour;
my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.                                                                                               8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us.

Call to Worship: (Based on lyrics from hymn “O radiant Christ, incarnate Word” by Ruth Duck 1991 found in Voices United #84)

One: Come, let us prepare ourselves this Advent, our faith and hope renew.

All: God, come, lead the peoples to your peace.

One: We gather for a time of hope found in waiting and preparing for the light to be born within us again.

All: God, come, shine upon our shadowed world.

One: We come into this time to pause, to pray, and to share in our worship.

All: God, come, make your home within our hearts.

Gathering Prayer Gracious God, We give you thanks for today and for the opportunity to prepare and celebrate this Advent season. Be with us as we worship you, reminding us that you are our living God, and that your love endure for ever. Guide us to hear your word to each of us today and be with us as we seek to live out your call. In the name of Jesus the Christ, in whom we await, Amen.

Call to Confession O Holy God Today we come to you asking for your forgiveness for those times when we have not left room for you to build a home within our hearts and our lives; those times when we have pushed you out of our hearts and lives. Advent is a busy time in our world when so many activities, parties, and events pull us away from you, forgive us when we leave you to the last of our lists and help us to put you first in our lives. Forgive us when we forget the importance of the season of advent, when we forget to cherish the time of waiting and preparing, and so we push along with the world to celebrate Christmas before it is time. Daniel prayed to you in a time when doing so was dangerous. He trusted in you and because of that you kept him safe. Forgive us when we do not trust in you but rather put our trust in the world and turn away from you. In the name of Jesus the Christ we pray, Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Today and every day, God loves us, forgives us, and sets us free. Today and every day we remember that our living God endures forever. God’s kingdom will never be destroyed and we will always have a place in God’s kingdom. Amen.

Communion Prayer (TBD)

Offertory Prayer O living God, we thank you for your constant presence in our lives and in response to the constant blessings you give, we offer you our gifts today. Accept our offerings of time, talents, and treasures that they may further your work here on Earth so that one day all will truly know your Kingdom here on Earth. Amen.

Advent 2 Dec 4th Joel 2:12-13, 28-29 and Luke 4:16-21

Author: Pastor Shea Zellweger

Advent Psalm: Peace Psalm 2

v. 6-8  There are many who say, ‘O that we might see some good!
Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!’ 
7 You have put gladness in my heart
more than when their grain and wine abound.                                                                            8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Leaders: Hear our fervent prayer, oh God.

People: Listen to our plea, and grant us your peace.

Leader 1: Our old men have visions of a time when all will be content, for all will have enough, no longer driven to spend and consume.

Leader 2: Our young women dream of nations who wage peace and not war.

People: Listen to our plea, and grant us your peace.

Leaders: We light the second candle, a blue candle, which carries the glow of peace. In the midst of turmoil, its steady glow reminds us that when all seems bleak, even then there is peace to be had.

People: Come, o Prince of Peace, Come.

Song of Response

O Come, O Come, O Adonai, who came to all on Sinai high.

And from its peak a single law, proclaimed in majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel

Call To Worship

One: Sing Praises to God, all you who dwell on Earth!

Many: We sing our praise, echoing the joyous strains of the angels.

One: God gives strength to us, the people of God.

Many: God blesses us with peace.

One: In peace, let us sing praises to God.

Many: In peace, let us worship!

Prayer of Confession

One: We confess our sins before God and one another,

[Pause for silent confession]

God, whose peace surpasses all understanding, we do not always seek peace.

Many: We sow the seeds of strife and division.

One: Nation wars against nation, and our people fight amongst themselves.

Many: Forgive us, o Lord, for we know not what we do.

Assurance of Pardon

One: Our God is a merciful God. Our conflicts have already been forgiven. We receive God’s forgiveness together as we follow the path of peace laid before us.

Many: Thanks be to God

Reading: Joel 2:12-13, 28-29

Prayer of Thanksgiving

We praise and thank you, God, for the visions and dreams you have poured out on your people. As we await your coming, may we prophesy with boldness your lasting call to walk the path of peace together.

Offering Dedication Prayer

Here are our gifts, Lord – the work of our hands. The sweat of our brows. The first fruits of our harvest. We dedicate them to your service. May they help to spread your reign of peace throughout the Earth. Amen.

Advent 3 Dec 11 Isaiah 61:1-11 and Luke 4:16-21

Author: Pastor Katy Stenta

Advent Candle Joy Psalm 98

v. 7-9 7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
   the world and those who live in it. 
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
   let the hills sing together for joy 
9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
   to judge the earth.

Call to Worship

God you send the Holy Spirit, clothing us in the good news

You bind up the broken-hearted and comfort those who mourn

We are planted  in God, who loves justice.

Therefore we will rejoice in the Lord! Let us exult the Lord with our entire being!

Prayer of Confession: Lord we confess that joy is difficult. We would rather smile or be nice, than find the joy in our lives. We are too busy, too worried or too polite to embrace the God who cares for the lost, the poor and the forgotten. We long for a connection to this God who knows where to plant us and how to tend to us. Forgive us we pray and teach of the joy of the Lord who repairs the brokenness of the world. 

Assurance of Pardon: The Spirit of the Lord comes upon us, clothing us in salvation. Hear the Good news of the Lord, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Amen.

Prayer of Communion: Mighty God, you gave us life, blowing your Holy breath into our lungs. Walking with us through time, you saw that we could only understand your law as a burden. Thus you gave us your very self, so we might feel your joy in the work of love and care, in your son Jesus Christ. Jesus who was born among us, broke bread together with us and died for us. Upon Jesus’s resurrection, all sin became forgiven. It is from this God we receive the invitation to the table today….

Prayer of Dedication: Lord, let us give with joy all that we have to you, so that we might truly build the kingdom of God together.

 

 

 

 Advent 4 Dec 18th Luke 1:26-49 and Psalm 113

Author: Pastor (Dr.) Barb Hedges-Goettl

Advent Candle: Joy Psalm 84

v. 8-108 Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
   for he will speak peace to his people,
   to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.* 
9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
   that his glory may dwell in our land.                                                                                              10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
   righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 

One: Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God!

Many:  Just to speak his name is praise!

One: Just to remember God is a blessing—

Many:  now and tomorrow and always.

One: From east to west,

Many:  from dawn to dusk,

All:  keep lifting all your praises to God!

Call to Worship B Psalm 113 NIV

One: Who is like the Lord our God,

Many: the One who sits enthroned on high?

One: Who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

Many: God raises the poor from the dust

One: God lifts the needy from the ash heap.)
Many: God seats them with princes,
One: with the princes of his people.

All: Praise the Lord.

Alternative Call to Worship (Luke 1)

One: The Lord is with you.

Many: What kind of greeting is this?

One: Do not be afraid; you have found favor with God.

You are caught up in service to the Kingdom of God.

Many: How can this be?

One: The Holy Spirit will come upon you

and the power of the Most High will overshadow you

for with God nothing is impossible.

All: We are servants of the Lord. 

May God’s word to us be fulfilled. 

Prayer of Confession:

God, we confess that sometimes our plans don’t allow for your plan.                                                                                        We rely only on ourselves, not on you and on one another.

Creator, Spirit, and Lord, forgive us when we do not consult you.

Break through to us with your Advent, your coming, your calling

(Silent Confession)

Assurance of Forgiveness:

One: God looks with favor on the lowliness of God’s servants.                                                  The Mighty One has done great things and holy is his name.                                                                               The Son of the Most High was given the throne of David.                                                             He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of this kingdom there will be no end.             Thanks be to God for the Good News:

All: In Christ Jesus we have eternal and abundant life.

Prayer of Great Thanksgiving/Communion Prayer

We give you thanks, Lord God on high.                                                                                    You are high above all nations.                                                                                                  Your glory is above the heavens.                                                                                               From the rising of the sun to its setting, we praise your name.                                        We thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ, your son and son of Mary.                      Although his greatness overwhelms us, he came to dwell among us.                           You gave to him the throne of his ancestor David, yet he reigns now and he will reign forever. Of his kingdom there will be no end.                                                                          We magnify you, Lord. We rejoice in you, our Savior.                                                           For you have looked with favor on our lowliness, doing great things for us.  Make us a part of your great work.                                                                                                                     As you give the barren one joy and a home, give us joy and a place to be at home.          As Christ Jesus heals and helps those in need, let us lift the needy from the ash heap.   As Christ Jesus the King sits with sinners, may all be welcome at this feast.                   As you raised up Christ Jesus from the cross, let us raise the poor from the dust.      For with you, nothing is impossible.                                                                                             As your Spirit came upon Mary and your power rested on her, shed your Spirit and your power this day.                                                                                                                    Come upon these gifts of bread and cup, that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ Jesus. Embolden us to be the body of Christ Jesus and carry Christ into the world, transforming it by transforming us.

Offering

O God, like Mary, we belong to you, body and soul. Like Elizabeth, when we meet you, we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and leap for joy. How happy we are when we believe in you, for it is then that our gifts, our lives, and our selves find their fulfillment.

 Christmas Dec 25th Luke 2:8-20 and Psalm 123:1-2

Author: Katy Stenta

Advent Candle Psalm 68

v. 19-20 19 Blessed be the Lord,
who daily bears us up;
God is our salvation.
Selah 
20 Our God is a God of salvation,
and to God, the Lord, belongs escape from death.

Call to Worship

Come to Bethlehem and let us see the one whom angels sing!

Let us sing with the angels: Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and goodwill to all!

Come, let us see God!

Come Let us see the Christ child!

Prayer of Confession: Lord, we confess it is hard to approach you. It is hard to see the Christ child. Forgive us and help us to see you, to know you and to love you we pray.

Assurance of Forgiveness: Christ has come, love incarnate, salvation of the world! Know the Good news, Jesus Christ was born today, and it is in him we are each, and every one of us, forgiven. Thanks be to God.

Prayer of Thanksgiving: Jesus, you are here with us today. Before the world even began, God knows us and loved us into being. Then God translated Godself into human form–so we might see and taste salvation in the feast of love. Providing to us the good news in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to the God who created us, became human with us, and died to save us all. Let us continue to give God praise….

Offering Prayer: Light of the world, you have given us your only son. May we offer our gifts in return from the joy of the birth of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

#peace and #advent #prayer

Prayer of Confession: Lamb of God, we confess that we do not always do peace well. We confess that we are not always the instruments of the kingdom. Reshape us, Lord. Mold us from swords into plowshares, makes us the tools of your peace through the planting of seedlings of hope, joy and love where ever we go, heal our hearts so we might in turn bring healing to others we pray… (Silent Prayer)…Amen

Building the #Nativity: (#christmas) Mary & Joseph

There are very few pictures of Mary and Joseph that are not Joseph pulling Mary on the Donkey for Bethlehem.

donkey

We aren’t there yet, though.

Besides, they aren’t Even LOOKING at each other!

But I can tell that Mary and Joseph aren’t really pictured before Jesus. Even though, they had some kind of relationship as they were engaged. Let’s face it, Mary and Joseph probably were from the same small town and knew each other really well, no matter how well they knew each other.

MaryJoseph.jpg

So this week we filled in the first characters by telling of when Gaberial tells Mary and then Joseph about Jesus coming. Its interesting because as the artwork shows, we clearly do not picture them together.

There are two distinctly similar portions to these accounts. The first of which were that Mary and Joseph were the afraid.

Can you imagine how they each felt seeing an angel? How worried they were about this unknown, and surprising child? Jesus Christ is probably the most surprising child ever!!

No wonder they were afraid.

Today is also the Hope week of Advent. You know what hope is? ITs saying yes when you don’t know what will happen.

That’s Mary and Joseph.

That’s parenthood too, when you have a child you don’t really know what is going to happen.

My mom remembers women who swore they would come back to work after having a baby, and then realize they couldn’t stay home. Then she knew others who were trying to stay home who were going crazy and needed to go back to work. This taught her that parenthood is one of those things you have ideas about, but you don’t really know until you get there.

And even if you have a partner in parenting, that person wouldn’t necessarily parent the same way. In fact sometimes what works for one parent doesn’t work for the other.

In a way we are all Mary and Joseph, trying to figure out how to relate to Christ. Each of us working to get to know him in our own way.

Faith is a bit by parenting. You have ideas about how it should work, but you don’t really know what practices and theories work for you until you put it into practice. Active, Contemplative, Environmental, Introspective there are many ways to practice faith.

I think of how afraid Mary is that Joseph is going to leave her, and Joseph so afraid about the leaving he thinks they must do. Each of them being afraid, and lonely in that fear.

Church is unique too, because just like a family, even though our practices are different other people’s faith practices can inform our own. Even if those particular practices are never our cup of tea, we can still strengthen one another by sharing about our faith.

Family is that way too!

Last year I talked about how we are the family in the waiting room, waiting for Christ and becoming family. We are becoming family through church.

When Joseph hears that he should keep the baby & Mary, that’s the moment they start to become Family. Before Christ even arrives.

As we build the nativity, we might each be drawn to different characters, but look at the variety of family, friends and strangers that come to see Jesus. This is because God invites each and every one of us to become a part of the family.

can-stock-photo_csp14859743

Heck, Jesus wasn’t really the son of Joseph, but the practice of inviting others to be a part of the family start with Joseph, continues with the Nativity,then the Jews, then eventually we are all adopted as brothers and sisters in Christ.

I think of when Joseph is no longer alone in his fears, of the moment when he tells Mary what he was hoping and worrying about Jesus, and Mary shares back. This is the moment they become family, before Jesus is even born.

(Here is our version of the family, we made with the kids as Our First Building the Nativity Ornaments)

This is what I think happened then, even tho there is no such art of Mary and Joseph

We do not have to be a certain ethnicity or worship a certain way or even read the Bible in a certain language. That’s because the Good News of Jesus Christ is translatable. Christianity can fit into any culture (when we do it right).

We are all invited to come and join the nativity, so join us as we build the nativity this Advent season

 

 

 

The Anglo-American, Caucasian #Christmas, War on #Christmas & #Starbucks Coffee

Apparently Starbucks selling coffee in plain red cups is seen by some as another sign of the so-called “War on Christmas.” And rightly so. How dare they crowd out Advent and Christmas with the color reserved for Pentecost? I only drink liturgically correct coffee.

(Above is a light-hearted post from a colleague of mine)

Did you know the liturgical color for Advent is actually purple or blue? And that the color for Christmas is just plain white (no doubt for holiness?)

The war on Christmas is really a harkening for days when Christianity all looked the same….Christianity and Christians…and America, back when “true” Americans all looked the same and part of being American was being a certain brand of Christianity.

The War on Christmas is not really a war and its not really about Christmas, its a culture trying to come to grips with how the world is changing

Look the outrage at the cups, the outrage at the outrage of the cups, and those who are tired of the whole debate and feel that the Christians who are talking about how ridiculous the other Christians are being make for a good cultural discussion about meaning.

I worked in a Korean American church for a while. It was the melding between a 1.5 generation Korean congregation (those who are truly of both Korean and American heritage) +their young truly American, but ethnically Korean, children.

This congregation joined a regular small, had their heyday in the 1950s Caucasian Congregation.

I was on staff as the Christian Ed Coordinator, but realistically a lot of my job was translating.

Translating between the older Anglo-Christians, the Gen Y Koreans and the up and Coming Millenial-American-ethnically Korean Children.

Advent candles

Aren’t Advent Candles Taught in Seminary?

Ruth, a saint and mother to us all at church asked me this when their Korean-American Pastor didn’t do them.

No, I said, thats an American Tradition, not a Christian one.

Then I explained that Advent differs from place to place (I’ve lived all over America) and that even the words are different and in different order, depending where you came from.

Oh.

We did do Advent Candles, I was put in charge (as cultural translator) extradinare.

So the question is this?

What is at the root of this question about Starbucks (whose CEO is Jewish) and red cups?

As Christianity and Religion changes, as being American changes, perhaps we are asking the wrong questions.

And if people do things differently than you traditionally do…ask about it, learn about what people do and why.

And if you want to learn more, go to church, we have highly educated people, I spent 4 years at Princeton, who know about how things are done and why they are done that way, and how things are changing and why that’s exciting too…

Other thoughts on Red Cups

http://emilycheath.com/2015/11/07/christians-red-cups-and-priorities/

http://marthaspong.com/2015/11/09/more-red-cups/

#Adventus 3, 4 #CrimingWhileWhite

“Am I my brother/Sister’s Keeper” Genesis 4:9

In the Bible “Keeping” someone is a broad topic. It includes caring, loving and doing justice on that person’s behalf.

Thus we give as a blessing “The Lord Bless you and keep you”

It is a good question, am I my brother’s keeper?….but it hints at the deeper question.

In all the swirling news of Ferguson and NYC. In all the talk of cops and criminals, teenagers and adults, white and black. When justice seems weak, and the plight of blacks being shot by white cops hints at what is a huge question. Which is where is Christ in all of this

“If you cannot find Christ in the one being murdered in the street, you will not find him in the chalice.”@JesusOfNaz316

Ok, so Christ is here, so am I my brother’s keeper? Who am I more responsible for the cop or the citizen………

We really are asking, who is my brother?

So much deeper than taking sides, because family is those you claim, family are those you are supposed to love no matter what.

Can I love a cop who shoots people as much as I love the person who has been shot?

Can I claim the black teenager as family, when my white, cis, straight, middle class experience is so foreign?

Families come in all shapes and sizes. So the question is how can I claim as family those people who seem to be more different from me? How can I claim them, without taking away or devaluing their identity.

Somehow, Jesus did it. Somehow Jesus hung out with the sick, the addicted, the foreigners, the unschooled, the political, the poor, and even the rich.

I may or not be my brother’s keeper…….but I am their sister, and I need to claim that

This brings me to today’s Adventus

Gen 16:13 “Hagar named God, you are El-Roi: The One who sees”

Hagar was the outcast, A slave, she was (probably) of a different race than her master and Mistress Abram & Sarai and when she conceived, and Sarah didn’t, Hagar was forced to run away.

God returned her to the family, and got the family to care for her and her son….complicated and still an imperfect situation. Hagar spoke to God, and says God gets it, he sees what I am going through. He knows.

God sees each and every child and claims them as his own.

Just as Hagar is my sister, I have a large family, one that includes Darren Wilson, one that includes Eric Garner……

How can I do what God does….Can I be the one that sees? Can I see Christ in these people? Can I bless them? Can I keep them?

Isn’t that what Advent is about…blessing and keeping people as we await Christ together…….

I pray it is