December 10, 2023

December 10, 2023
Cantata Sunday
 
Prelude
Stephanie Shorden

Greeting
Rev. David Petty

Threshold Moment

Pastor: All of creation is imbued with the presence of the Christ Mystery. It is a “Christ Mirror.” When we say this, we don’t say that all things are God, but that God is in and through all things. The Creator’s very DNA was set in motion as day and night, earth and sky, flora and fauna, creatures and humans inhabited the earth. And God called it all inherently “good.” The earth upon which we walk is a Sacred Place. Our homes, our communities, our church, even the technology that enables us to be connected is reflecting the sacred creation, providing spaces for us to encounter divine joy. We come this day so very grateful for it. This day we celebrate Sacred Space in our Advent journey.
As we have done in the first two weeks, we’ll take a moment to turn our memories and imaginations to the Sacred Spaces we have known. I invite you to get comfortable where you are sitting. If it helps to ground you, place both 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 your mind is buzzing and you find it difficult to slow down, it’s OK. Don’t judge it… just take another breath and “thank and excuse” for just a moment the ping-pong thoughts in your brain. That’s it. Take time to settle in.
Bring to your mind’s eye a place that you love. Or it could just be a scene full of the things that you love. Perhaps there is lamplight or firelight and a cat napping in the window. Maybe you are walking outside on a tree-lined path, perhaps with a canine companion. Or it could be a place whose architecture takes your breath away. You might be sitting on a beach listening to the waves or snow-shoeing on a full-moon night. Take a moment and choose one of the many places that might be coming to mind. As you see this scene, put it in slow motion and move in closer to a detail. Think of a phrase that expresses your admiration such as, “wow,” or “ahhhhhh.” Now imagine particles of light showering slowly upon you in this place where you are. Let this reflection of light be an anointing of joy for seeing more and more of life through the lens of the Sacred. 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.

Pastor: 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 Joy comes into our midst. For those worshiping online, you are invited to light three of your candles.
 
Reader: Please repeat after me:
 
Leader: We pray for Joy this day.
People: We pray for Joy 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 place
People: We open to see each place
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 joy.
People: lighting the way to joy.

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 Joy, we give you thanks for this physical and online space for gathering. As we take in the joy you offer, may we be a reflection of your light, expanding the sacred space of “right here” into the sacred place of “everywhere.”

People: Amen.

*Gathering Song
O Come, All Ye Faithful
v. 1-3 UMH #234
WORDS: John F. Wade, ca. 1743; trans. by Frederick Oakeley 1841, and others
 
1. O come all ye faithful,
joyful and triumphant,
O come ye,
O come ye, to Bethlehem.
 
Come and 
behold him,
born the 
King of angels;
 
Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
 
2. True God of true God,
Light from Light Eternal,
lo, he shuns not
the Virgin’s womb;
 
Son of the 
Father,
begotten, 
not created;
 
Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
 
3. Sing, choirs of angels,
sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens
of heaven above!
 
Glory to God,
all glory in
the highest;
 
Refrain
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.
 
Mystery Box

Christmas Cantata

Canon De Noel
Procession of Light
A Classic Advent Flourish
Advent Alleluia
Celebration for Advent
He Shall Feed His Flock
An Etude Carol
Christ is Born! Let Earth and Heaven Rejoice!
Adoramus Te
Christmas Jubilate
 
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

Postlude
Stephanie Shorden