God with us – katyandtheword

Dec 18th Jesus as Emmanuel

Justice Mercy & Light Extended Advent

Jesus as Emmanuel
Matthew 1:18-25
Psalm 23:1-4 (or 23:4)
Psalm 42:1-2

Call to Worship
God, we long for you to be with us
God be with us
God we can almost taste your presence
Come let us celebrate the Prince of Peace Coming

Call to Confession: God knows us and loves us. Come let us confess ourselves to God.

Confession: God, sometimes it is hard to believe that you are with us. We confess that we are often more like Joseph than Mary. Ready to set things aside quietly, ready to avoid scandal, ready to believe to take the easiest path. Maybe Joseph was too ready to think that he was alone in the world. God remind us we are not alone, especially when we feel that way we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: God is for us. No matter what. No heights nor depths nor angels nor demons can get between us or God, so we know and proclaim the truth: In Jesus Christ we are Forgiven.

Prayer of the Day/Dedication: Love is love. God is with us not matter what. May we carry that in our pocket wherever we go we pray. Amen.

Hymns: Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, God of Peace: To Silent Night,

With Children: Beauty and The Beast (probably any but check what happens to the sisters), Talk about how God transformed God’s very Self into a human being to be God with us, to turn us into even better versions of human–like Beauty loves the Beast

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Full Extended Advent Resource

Fall & Advent Narrative Lectionary 2020 Year 3

Under Construction: prayers and resources will be added as they are written

Theme: God Incarnate: God with us, God for us, God among(st) us

Alt Theme: Waiting for God to Show up, God is always on time

God with us: A God who is always with us, not obscured by place or time, God’s covenant to always be our God and God we are always
God for us: A helper, merciful God, a God of action (not just promises)
God among(st) us: Advent, the God who loves our humanity, our very selves, Holy Spirit & prophecies, Emmanuel

Also I propose you start Advent as early as you want

If people sat outside and looked at the Stars each night, I’ll bet they’d live a lot differently.

God With Us
Sept 13
Creation and Fall: Bulletin & Confessions in the Garden of Eden
Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17, 3:1-8
Luke 11:4 Opt Psalm 18:31-36

Sept 20th
God’s Promise to Abraham Bulletin and Sermon & Consider Prayer
Genesis 15:1-6 alt Gen 17: 1-8
Luke 3:8 Opt. Psalm 8

Sept 27th
God Works through Joseph: God of the Rainbow Coat , Bulletin 1 with sermon by Rev Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl Bulletin 2 by Pastor Katy Stenta
Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21
Luke 6:35 Opt. Psalm 105: 1-5, 16-22

Oct 4
The Promise of Passover: Sermon & Bulletin 1 by Rev. Dr Barbara Hedges-Goettl, Bulletin 2 by Pastor Katy Stenta, Passover Prayer
Exodus 12:1-13; 13:1-8
Luke 22: 14-20 Opt Psalm 105: 31-36

God For us: God in the presence of the Pastor: Change from always being with us—God realized that we aren’t always aware that God is with us, so God became for us
Oct 11
Golden Calf: Bulletin by Pastor Katy Stenta (includes Communion Prayer)
Exodus 32:1-14
Luke 23:34 Opt Psalm 97:6-9

Oct 18
God Answers Hannah (Extended Advent Opt 1) Bulletin by Pastor Katy & Imprecation: Shatter Them
1 Samuel 1:9-11, 19-20; 2:1-10
Luke 1:46-55 Opt Psalm 96

October 25
God’s Promise to David: Bulletin by Pastor Katy and Missing God Prayer
2 Samuel 7:1-17
Luke 1:30-33 Opt. Psalm 89:1-6

Nov 1
God’s Care for the Widow bulletin 1 by Pastor Katy Stenta & bulletin by Rev Dr Barb Hedges-Goettl
1 Kings 17:1-16 [17-24]
Luke 4:24-26 Opt Psalm 146: 5-10

Nov 8
Jonah and God’s Mercy: Bulletin by Pastor Katy Stenta, Bulletin by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl, Jonah Prayer
Jonah 1:1-7; 3:1-10 [4:1-11]
Luke 18:13 Opt Psalm 88:3-7, 13

Nov 15
God Calls Isaiah: Bulletin Prayers by Pastor Katy Stenta & full Bulletin by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl, Sermon by Pastor Katy (tech glitches but ok)
Isaiah 6:1-8
Luke 5:8-10 Opt Psalm 138

God Amongst Us: Compiled and Themed Resources from Katy are all available here: Extended Advent Full On Resources: Bulletin Prayers, Advent Candles, Daily Devotional Calendar, + Videos to add to digital resources Please donate if they help!

Nov 22 (Extended Advent Option 2)
God’s Promises a New Covenant
Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-28 then 31:31-34
Luke 22:19-20 Opt. Psalm 89:31-37

Nov 29
Daniel’s Hope in God
Daniel 6:6-27
Luke 23:1-5 Opt Psalm 91:1-6, 11-13

Dec 6 (Regular Advent)
Joel: God’s Promised Spirit
Joel 2: 12-13, 28-29
Luke 11:13 Opt Psalm 139:1-12

Dec 13
Spirit of the Lord Upon Me
Isaiah 61:1-11
Luke 4:16-21 Opt Psalm 143: 4-10 or Psalm 139: 13-18 (this works next week too)

Dec 20
Jesus’s Birth Announce
Luke 1:26-45 [46-56]
Psalm 113 Opt Psalm 139: 13-18

Dec 24
Birth of Jesus
Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]
Psalm 96

Dec 25
Shepherds’ Visit
Luke 2:8-20
Psalm 123:1-2

Dec 27
Simeon and Anna
Luke 2:21-38
Psalm 131

Partnerships

One thing that frustrates me about church is when people grudgingly take on tasks.

I don’t know, for me its more fun to be involved and DO things, don’t you want to be a part of whatever is happening?

This week I got the chance to talk to a wonderful lady. Together we planned an arts project in 2 parts: 1 a Family Friendly Art Show 2. A Kids Theater Program (that is very accessible monetarily and hopefully schedulewise).

It was a good hour.

Don’t get me wrong, there will be prep involved, but mostly it just took a spark, an idea.

There will be setup and hosting and taking down.

There will be more planning for part 2

But the way I look at it; it will be LOADS of fun, as most ministry is.

So I’m confused…..do we really begrudge the time & energy that is spent in ministry….or are we just afraid that we are going to have to do it alone!

And for me it took a partnership. So often people don’t want to lead in the church, because they feel like they have to do it alone.

Good News! We don’t have to. God is with us, we are never alone, and God sent us partners! From the gecko, God realized that we work better in Tandem.