December 3, 2023
December 3, 2023 Sacred People
Prelude Stephanie Shorden
Greeting Rev. David Petty
Rev. David Petty: In our Advent series this year, we are slowing things down at the beginning of our worship. It is often such a full time of year, and so as we make it our purpose to see Christ reflected around us, we intentionally create a time of slow motion to train our hearts to see more deeply. Last week, we imagined Sacred Time–moments in which the Light of Hope is mirrored in more dazzling ways. Today we are going to turn on the portrait settings in our imagination so we might focus more clearly on the Light of Love projecting itself as Christ in the people around us, and in and through us.
I invite you to get comfortable where you are sitting, perhaps placing both of your feet on the floor. I invite you to open your hands upward in your lap. Close your eyes if you are comfortable doing so and take a deep, intentional breath in and out. If it is difficult to get your mind to quiet down, if you have many things vying for your attention, it’s OK. Don’t judge it… just take another breath and “thank and excuse” for just a moment the tasks that might be popping up on the to-do list in your brain. That’s it. Take time to settle in.
Bring to your mind’s eye–to your imagination–a very familiar person’s face that you love. What is it about them that warms your heart? Imagine particles of light emanating from them, and let your memory move to an encounter when you felt this love and light extended from them to you. Now imagine the refracted light showering them, as if a prism has just lit up the surface of the walls and their own skin. As you see this scene, let their face fade and change, and in their place for just a moment see someone you struggle to love, or someone you’ve seen but do not know well. If you can, let the same reflection of light emanate and shower this person. Let it be an anointing of love on this person, made possible because the Christ light is the gift we all have to give, whether we feel able to or not. Continue to just breathe, listen, and see with your heart.
Sanctuary Choir:
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.
Rev. David Petty: Take one more deep breath and open your eyes slowly. As you are ready, I invite you to stand in body or spirit and face the back as the Light of Love comes into our midst. For those worshiping online, you are invited to light your first and second candle.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study Readers:
Please repeat after us:
Leader: We pray for Love this day.
People: We pray for Love this day.
Leader: We open to see the Sacred reflected in all things.
People: We open to see the Sacred reflected in all things.
Leader: We open to see each person
People: We open to see each person
Leader: as a gift of holy presence.
People: as a gift of holy presence.
Leader: This is the gift of the Christ Mystery,
People: This is the gift of the Christ Mystery,
Leader: lighting the way to love.
People: lighting the way to love.
Congregation:
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.
Prayer
Leader: 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.
All: Amen.
*Gathering Song People Look East UMH #202
WORDS: Eleanor Farjeon, 1928
Words by permission of David Higham Assoc. Ltd.
1. People, look east.
The time is near of the
crowning of the year.
Make your house fair
as you are able,
trim the hearth
and set the table.
People, look east (People, look east: )
and sing today: (People, look east: )
Love, the Guest,
is on the way.
2. Furrows, be glad.
Though earth is bare,
one more seed
is planted there.
Give up your strength
the seed to nourish,
that in course
the flower may flourish.
People, look east (People, look east: )
and sing today: (People, look east: )
Love, the Rose,
is on the way.
3. Stars, keep the watch.
When night is dim,
one more light
the bowl shall brim,
shining beyond
the frosty weather,
bright as sun
and moon together.
People, look east (People, look east: )
and sing today: (People, look east: )
Love, the Star,
is on the way.
4. Angels announce
with shouts of mirth
him who brings
new life to earth.
Set every peak
and valley humming
with the word,
the Lord is coming.
People, look east (People, look east: )
and sing today: (People, look east: )
Love, the Lord,
is on the way.
Greet Your Neighbors
Mystery Box
Prayer Song Emmanuel UMH #204
WORDS: Bob McGee, 1976 (Mt. 1:23)
© 1976 C. A. Music (div. of Christian Artists Corp.)
Emmanuel,
Emmanuel,
his name is called
Emmanuel.
God with us,
revealed in us,
his name is called
Emmanuel.
Pastoral, Silent and, The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever.
Amen
Prayer Response Emmanuel UMH #204
WORDS: Bob McGee, 1976 (Mt. 1:23)
© 1976 C. A. Music (div. of Christian Artists Corp.)
Emmanuel,
Emmanuel,
his name is called
Emmanuel.
God with us,
revealed in us,
his name is called
Emmanuel.
Invitation to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Offertory
Sanctuary Choir
Prayer of Thanks and Dedication
Rev. David Petty
*Doxology
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Scripture Reading CLM Twinkle Gordon
Romans 15:4-13: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the ancestors and that the gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the gentiles and sing praises to your name”; and again he says, “Rejoice, O gentiles, with his people”; and again, “Praise the Lord, all you gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”; and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:1-12: In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Prayer for Illumination
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Message
Sacred People
Rev. David Petty
Communion
to the tune of “What Child Is This”
UMH 219
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures here below
Praise God all heavens and the earth
reflecting the sacred story.
This, this is Christ the One
who mirrors love for all of us.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Word of time eternal.
Leader: Christ invites all to his table, for he is the One who is reflected in all things and unites all
things. There is a place for you. This Cosmic Banquet of Love is set for a hungry and hurting world. When we take in and take on Christ, we are the Body of Christ sent forth into the world to lay a banquet of love wherever we find ourselves. Let us open ourselves so that our hearts might be filled completely.
Confession and Assurance
Leader: Maker and Lover of all, forgive us when we are too preoccupied, self-involved, or worried to notice your presence in our lives…when we are too rushed to allow moments of wonder and awe that lead to hope, when we are too frightened to imagine those not like us loved equally by you, when we gloss over the most ordinary details as a revelation of your joy, when we fail to stop and reside in peace with you in our depths.
People: Open us, O God, free us to reflect the sacred. Touch us with your presence, we pray in your Holy Name: Christ, Anointed One. Amen.
Leader: Hear this good news: God is with us in our distress and in our faltering. God is always and already closing the gaps we create. Jesus calls us to this table with unfailing and gracious hospitality. You are forgiven and freed. You are not alone.
People: You are forgiven and freed. You are not alone. Glory to God! Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Word of God, Logos from the beginning. You made us reflective of your image and set us ablaze with the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love dulled, your love remained as light for our lives. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, and spoke to us through your prophets. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
[sung]
Praise God, Praise God of pow’r and might,
Praise God whose presence shines through our night.
Praise God of glory, hosannas sing,
reflecting the sacred story.
This, this is Christ the One
who mirrors love for all of us.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Word of time eternal.
Leader: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. Your Spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners.
A reflection of this purpose, and anointed as his disciples, Christ’s birth is our awakening, Christ’s suffering is all suffering, Christ’s death and resurrection is the pattern of all things. We are his Body in the world–the Body of Christ–renewed by water and the spirit. He has been, is, and always will be with us, One in Three, Three in One, in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
And so, in remembrance of your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
[spoken]
People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Leader: Anoint this community with your Holy Spirit, and pour out your Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them a reflection of your life and love, love for the world, so that we may be for the world a Christ Mirror, radiating and multiplying this love in the world. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
This, this is Christ the One
who mirrors love for all of us.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Word of time eternal.
Communion Hymn
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
UMH #211
WORDS: 9th cent. Latin; trans. st. 1, 3, 5ab, 6cd, 7ab, The Hymnal, 1940; st. 2,
1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lowly exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
2. O come, thou wisdom from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show
and cause us in her ways to go.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
3. O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
4. O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
an ensign of thy people be;
before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
5. O come, thou Key
of David, come,
and open wide our
heavenly home.
The captives from their
prison free,
and conquer death’s
deep misery.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
6. O come, thou Dayspring,
come and cheer
our spirits by thy
justice here;
disperse the gloomy
clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows
put to flight.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
7. O come, Desire of
nations bind
all peoples in
one heart and mind.
From dust thou brought
us forth to life;
deliver us from
earthly strife.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
*Hymn
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
UMH #206
WORDS: Kathleen Thomerson, 1966
© 1970, 1975 Celebration
1. I want to walk
as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars
to give light to the world.
The star of my life
is Jesus.
Refrain
In Him there is
no darkness at all.
The night and the day
are both alike.
The Lamb is the light
of the city of God.
Shine in my heart,
Lord Jesus.
2. I want to see
the brightness of God.
I want to look
at Jesus.
Clear Sun
of Righteousness,
shine on my path,
and show me the way
to the Father.
Refrain
In Him there is
no darkness at all.
The night and the day
are both alike.
The Lamb is the light
of the city of God.
Shine in my heart,
Lord Jesus.
3. I’m looking for
the coming of Christ.
I want to be
with Jesus.
When we have run
with patience the race,
we shall know
the joy of Jesus.
Refrain
In Him there is
no darkness at all.
The night and the day
are both alike.
The Lamb is the light
of the city of God.
Shine in my heart,
Lord Jesus.
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty
Postlude
Stephanie Shorden
Prelude Stephanie Shorden
Greeting Rev. David Petty
Rev. David Petty: In our Advent series this year, we are slowing things down at the beginning of our worship. It is often such a full time of year, and so as we make it our purpose to see Christ reflected around us, we intentionally create a time of slow motion to train our hearts to see more deeply. Last week, we imagined Sacred Time–moments in which the Light of Hope is mirrored in more dazzling ways. Today we are going to turn on the portrait settings in our imagination so we might focus more clearly on the Light of Love projecting itself as Christ in the people around us, and in and through us.
I invite you to get comfortable where you are sitting, perhaps placing both of your feet on the floor. I invite you to open your hands upward in your lap. Close your eyes if you are comfortable doing so and take a deep, intentional breath in and out. If it is difficult to get your mind to quiet down, if you have many things vying for your attention, it’s OK. Don’t judge it… just take another breath and “thank and excuse” for just a moment the tasks that might be popping up on the to-do list in your brain. That’s it. Take time to settle in.
Bring to your mind’s eye–to your imagination–a very familiar person’s face that you love. What is it about them that warms your heart? Imagine particles of light emanating from them, and let your memory move to an encounter when you felt this love and light extended from them to you. Now imagine the refracted light showering them, as if a prism has just lit up the surface of the walls and their own skin. As you see this scene, let their face fade and change, and in their place for just a moment see someone you struggle to love, or someone you’ve seen but do not know well. If you can, let the same reflection of light emanate and shower this person. Let it be an anointing of love on this person, made possible because the Christ light is the gift we all have to give, whether we feel able to or not. Continue to just breathe, listen, and see with your heart.
Sanctuary Choir:
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.
Rev. David Petty: Take one more deep breath and open your eyes slowly. As you are ready, I invite you to stand in body or spirit and face the back as the Light of Love comes into our midst. For those worshiping online, you are invited to light your first and second candle.
Wednesday Morning Bible Study Readers:
Please repeat after us:
Leader: We pray for Love this day.
People: We pray for Love this day.
Leader: We open to see the Sacred reflected in all things.
People: We open to see the Sacred reflected in all things.
Leader: We open to see each person
People: We open to see each person
Leader: as a gift of holy presence.
People: as a gift of holy presence.
Leader: This is the gift of the Christ Mystery,
People: This is the gift of the Christ Mystery,
Leader: lighting the way to love.
People: lighting the way to love.
Congregation:
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.
Prayer
Leader: 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.
All: Amen.
*Gathering Song People Look East UMH #202
WORDS: Eleanor Farjeon, 1928
Words by permission of David Higham Assoc. Ltd.
1. People, look east.
The time is near of the
crowning of the year.
Make your house fair
as you are able,
trim the hearth
and set the table.
People, look east (People, look east: )
and sing today: (People, look east: )
Love, the Guest,
is on the way.
2. Furrows, be glad.
Though earth is bare,
one more seed
is planted there.
Give up your strength
the seed to nourish,
that in course
the flower may flourish.
People, look east (People, look east: )
and sing today: (People, look east: )
Love, the Rose,
is on the way.
3. Stars, keep the watch.
When night is dim,
one more light
the bowl shall brim,
shining beyond
the frosty weather,
bright as sun
and moon together.
People, look east (People, look east: )
and sing today: (People, look east: )
Love, the Star,
is on the way.
4. Angels announce
with shouts of mirth
him who brings
new life to earth.
Set every peak
and valley humming
with the word,
the Lord is coming.
People, look east (People, look east: )
and sing today: (People, look east: )
Love, the Lord,
is on the way.
Greet Your Neighbors
Mystery Box
Prayer Song Emmanuel UMH #204
WORDS: Bob McGee, 1976 (Mt. 1:23)
© 1976 C. A. Music (div. of Christian Artists Corp.)
Emmanuel,
Emmanuel,
his name is called
Emmanuel.
God with us,
revealed in us,
his name is called
Emmanuel.
Pastoral, Silent and, The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever.
Amen
Prayer Response Emmanuel UMH #204
WORDS: Bob McGee, 1976 (Mt. 1:23)
© 1976 C. A. Music (div. of Christian Artists Corp.)
Emmanuel,
Emmanuel,
his name is called
Emmanuel.
God with us,
revealed in us,
his name is called
Emmanuel.
Invitation to Offering
CLM Twinkle Gordon
Offertory
Sanctuary Choir
Prayer of Thanks and Dedication
Rev. David Petty
*Doxology
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Scripture Reading CLM Twinkle Gordon
Romans 15:4-13: For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the ancestors and that the gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will confess you among the gentiles and sing praises to your name”; and again he says, “Rejoice, O gentiles, with his people”; and again, “Praise the Lord, all you gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him”; and again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse shall come, the one who rises to rule the gentiles; in him the gentiles shall hope.”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:1-12: In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ ”
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region around the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the River Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore, bear fruit worthy of repentance, and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Prayer for Illumination
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
Message
Sacred People
Rev. David Petty
Communion
to the tune of “What Child Is This”
UMH 219
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures here below
Praise God all heavens and the earth
reflecting the sacred story.
This, this is Christ the One
who mirrors love for all of us.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Word of time eternal.
Leader: Christ invites all to his table, for he is the One who is reflected in all things and unites all
things. There is a place for you. This Cosmic Banquet of Love is set for a hungry and hurting world. When we take in and take on Christ, we are the Body of Christ sent forth into the world to lay a banquet of love wherever we find ourselves. Let us open ourselves so that our hearts might be filled completely.
Confession and Assurance
Leader: Maker and Lover of all, forgive us when we are too preoccupied, self-involved, or worried to notice your presence in our lives…when we are too rushed to allow moments of wonder and awe that lead to hope, when we are too frightened to imagine those not like us loved equally by you, when we gloss over the most ordinary details as a revelation of your joy, when we fail to stop and reside in peace with you in our depths.
People: Open us, O God, free us to reflect the sacred. Touch us with your presence, we pray in your Holy Name: Christ, Anointed One. Amen.
Leader: Hear this good news: God is with us in our distress and in our faltering. God is always and already closing the gaps we create. Jesus calls us to this table with unfailing and gracious hospitality. You are forgiven and freed. You are not alone.
People: You are forgiven and freed. You are not alone. Glory to God! Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Word of God, Logos from the beginning. You made us reflective of your image and set us ablaze with the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love dulled, your love remained as light for our lives. You delivered us from captivity, made covenant to be our sovereign God, and spoke to us through your prophets. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
[sung]
Praise God, Praise God of pow’r and might,
Praise God whose presence shines through our night.
Praise God of glory, hosannas sing,
reflecting the sacred story.
This, this is Christ the One
who mirrors love for all of us.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Word of time eternal.
Leader: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. Your Spirit anointed him to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to announce that the time had come when you would save your people. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners.
A reflection of this purpose, and anointed as his disciples, Christ’s birth is our awakening, Christ’s suffering is all suffering, Christ’s death and resurrection is the pattern of all things. We are his Body in the world–the Body of Christ–renewed by water and the spirit. He has been, is, and always will be with us, One in Three, Three in One, in the power of your Word and Holy Spirit.
On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: “Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
And so, in remembrance of your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
[spoken]
People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Leader: Anoint this community with your Holy Spirit, and pour out your Spirit on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them a reflection of your life and love, love for the world, so that we may be for the world a Christ Mirror, radiating and multiplying this love in the world. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet. Through your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
This, this is Christ the One
who mirrors love for all of us.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
the Word of time eternal.
Communion Hymn
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
UMH #211
WORDS: 9th cent. Latin; trans. st. 1, 3, 5ab, 6cd, 7ab, The Hymnal, 1940; st. 2,
1. O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lowly exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
2. O come, thou wisdom from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show
and cause us in her ways to go.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
3. O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
4. O come, thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
an ensign of thy people be;
before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
5. O come, thou Key
of David, come,
and open wide our
heavenly home.
The captives from their
prison free,
and conquer death’s
deep misery.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
6. O come, thou Dayspring,
come and cheer
our spirits by thy
justice here;
disperse the gloomy
clouds of night,
and death’s dark shadows
put to flight.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
7. O come, Desire of
nations bind
all peoples in
one heart and mind.
From dust thou brought
us forth to life;
deliver us from
earthly strife.
Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
*Hymn
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
UMH #206
WORDS: Kathleen Thomerson, 1966
© 1970, 1975 Celebration
1. I want to walk
as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars
to give light to the world.
The star of my life
is Jesus.
Refrain
In Him there is
no darkness at all.
The night and the day
are both alike.
The Lamb is the light
of the city of God.
Shine in my heart,
Lord Jesus.
2. I want to see
the brightness of God.
I want to look
at Jesus.
Clear Sun
of Righteousness,
shine on my path,
and show me the way
to the Father.
Refrain
In Him there is
no darkness at all.
The night and the day
are both alike.
The Lamb is the light
of the city of God.
Shine in my heart,
Lord Jesus.
3. I’m looking for
the coming of Christ.
I want to be
with Jesus.
When we have run
with patience the race,
we shall know
the joy of Jesus.
Refrain
In Him there is
no darkness at all.
The night and the day
are both alike.
The Lamb is the light
of the city of God.
Shine in my heart,
Lord Jesus.
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty
Postlude
Stephanie Shorden
Recent
Archive
2024
February
March
May
August
2023
January
April
August
September
No Comments