December 17, 2023

December 17, 2023
 
Prelude
Stephanie Shorden

Greeting
Rev. David Petty

Threshold Moment

Pastor: These times of quiet contemplation are not just good for the soul, they are good for the body and the mind. Today we focus on the Sacred Knowing that can happen when we allow ourselves to go deeper, inward, to a place of quiet where we can
imagine the voice of Sacred Knowing saying to us, “do not be afraid.” And so let us begin our worship again with settling in and slowing down. I invite you to get comfortable where you are sitting, simply finding a posture that is most relaxing for you. This week I invite you to open one hand upward in your lap and let the other one touch your chest where your heart lies beneath.
Close your eyes if you are comfortable doing so. Take a deep, intentional breath in and out. If you are still thinking about what you need to do when you leave this place or the online worship ends, it’s OK. Don’t judge it… just take another breath and “thank and excuse” for just a moment the urge in your brain to do its usual planning ahead.
That’s it. Take time to settle in. Imagine that particles of light, glinting in the sun, are showering you gently in slow motion. Their reflection dances on your face and skin. They begin to coalesce on the hand you have placed over your heart. When they have concentrated there, these light refractions begin to “slip through your fingers”–between your fingers, finding their way to surround your heart. They begin to drop down to your belly and expand upwards filling you all the way to the top of your head… and now down to your toes. You are filled with light, and you see that there is nothing to fear by spending time examining the depths of all that is within you. You are not alone. Let this reflection of light be an anointing of peace for seeing your own inward journey 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 Peace comes into our midst. For those worshiping online, you are invited to light the four candles of Hope,
Love, Joy, and Peace.

Brant Family: Please repeat after us:
Leader: We pray for Peace this day.
People: We pray for Peace 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 our deepest selves
People: We open to see our deepest selves
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 peace.
People: lighting the way to peace.


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 Peace,
we give you thanks for this holy sensing of your presence. As we take in the peace you offer,
may we be a reflection of your light, expanding the sacred knowing of “you are here for me” into the sacred knowing of “you are present for all of us.”
People: Amen.

*Worshiping Song
What Child is This
v. 1-3 UMH #219
WORDS: William C. Dix, 1865 (Lk. 2:6-20; Mt. 2:1-12)
 
1. What child is this
who, laid to rest,
on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
 
Whom angels greet
with anthems sweet,
while shepherds
watch are keeping?
 
Refrain
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard
and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the Son of Mary.
 
2. Why lies he in
such mean estate
where ox and
ass are feeding?
 
Good Christians, fear,
for sinners here
the silent
Word is pleading.
 
Refrain
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard
and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the Son of Mary.
 
3. So bring him incense,
gold, and myrrh,
come, peasant,
king, to own him;
 
the King of kings
salvation brings,
let loving
hearts enthrone him.
 
Refrain
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard
and angels sing;
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the Son of Mary.
 
*Gathering Song
‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
WORDS: Jean de Brebeuf, ca. 1643; trans. by Jesse Edgar Middleton, 1926
Trans. by permission of Frederick Harris Music Co. Ltd.
 
1. ’Twas in the moon
of wintertime,
when all the birds had fled,
that mighty Gitchi Manitou
sent angels choirs instead;
 
before their light
the stars grew dim,
and wondering
hunters heard the hymn:
 
Refrain
Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born,
in excelsis gloria.
 
2. Within a lodge
of broken bark
the tender babe was found;
a ragged robe
of rabbit skin
enwrapped his beauty round;
 
but as the hunter
braves drew nigh,
the angel song
rang loud and high:
 
Refrain
Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born,
in excelsis gloria.
 
4. O children of
the forest free,
O seed of Manitou,
the holy Child
of earth and heaven
is born today for you.
 
Come kneel before
the radiant boy,
who brings you
beauty, peace, and joy.
 
Refrain
Jesus your King is born,
Jesus is born,
in excelsis gloria.
 
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.
 
Prayer, Silent Prayer  and, The Lord’s Prayer
CLM Twinkle Gordon

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

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
Isaiah 35: 1-10 (NRSVUE)
 
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp; the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Luke 1: 46b-55 (NRSVUE)
 
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Anthem

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 Spaces
Rev. David Petty

*Hymn
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
UMH #213
WORDS: Georg Weissel, 1642; trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855 (Ps. 24)
 
1. Lift up your heads,
ye mighty gates;
behold the King
of glory waits;
 
the King of kings
is drawing near;
the Savior of
the world is here!
 
2. Fling wide the portals
of your heart;
make it a temple
set apart
 
from earthly use
for heaven’s employ,
adorned with prayer
and love and joy.
 
3. Redeemer, come,
with us abide;
our hearts to thee
we open wide;
 
let us thy inner
presence feel;
thy grace and love
in us reveal.
 
4. Thy Holy Spirit
lead us on
until our glorious
goal is won;
 
eternal praise,
eternal fame
be offered, Savior,
to thy name!
 
*Benediction
Rev. David Petty

Postlude
Stephanie Shorden