![Text Box: Safe Harbour
Metropolitan Community Church
“ A Christian Community
Promoting Inclusivity, Spiritual Growth and Social Justice.”
We Worship at:
Veith House
3115 Veith St., Halifax
Our Mailing Address:
Box 31108 Halifax, N.S., B3K 5T9
Church Office: 902-453-9249
Email : safeharbour@eastlink.ca
Website:www.safeharbourmcc.com
Ministers:The Whole Congregation
Pastor: The Rev. Darlene Young B.A. M.Div.
Pianist: Michelle Kyle
Advent 2 December 9, 2007
We Gather To Worship God
Welcome and Announcements
The Lighting of the Advent Candle:
The Candle of Readiness: Prepare!
Reader 1: From the foundation of Jesse, from the stump, there shall come a new shoot!
Reader 2: God’s spirit shall rest upon that one.
Reader 1: God’s favored One shall find delight in all of God’s creation!
Reader 2: Peace shall reign--old enmities shall cease! For on that day we will celebrate God’s love with one another.
Reader 1: Today we light two candles. The first is the candle of Patience, reminding us to watch and wait for what God is about to do. [Light the first candle]
Reader 2: The second candle is the candle of Readiness, enabling us to look at our lives, to get rid of all those things that keep us from God, to change our ways and live as God would have us live. [The second candle is lighted]
Reader 1: Come, see the lights. Let their brightness fill you.
Reader 2: Come, feel the warmth of the lights. Let them give you comfort.
Reader 1: Come, draw near to the lights, for God is breaking through to you.
Reader 2: Come, rejoice in the lights, God is with us!
Opening Prayer (Unison)
Patient and loving God, we so easily launch ourselves in preparation for the secular festival of giving and parties and the swirl of social events; but we forget that the true preparation is the readiness of our hearts to receive you. Help us look again at our lives and turn them around so that they may be in tune with your will. We ask this in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
Advent Song: Hope is a Star
Hope is star that shines in the night,
Leading us on till the morning is bright.
Chorus: When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
And none shall be afraid
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
Giving a promise of safety and worth.
Repeat Chorus
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
Telling the world that the Saviour is born.
Repeat Chorus
Love is a flame that burns in our heart,
Jesus has come and will never depart.
Repeat Chorus
We Hear God’s Word
Scripture Readings: From the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible
Isaiah 11:1-10
11A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2The spirit of God shall rest on that one, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of God. 3This one’s delight shall be in the fear of God. The favored one shall not judge by what the eyes see, or decide by what the ears hear; 4but with righteousness shall that one judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and that one shall strike the earth with the rod of their mouth, and with the breath of their lips and shall kill the wicked. 5Righteousness shall be the waist belt, and faithfulness the belt around the loins. 6The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. 7The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. 9They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.
10On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of that one, and God favored one shall dwell in glory.
Responsive Reading Psalm 72
1Give the sovereign your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a their heir.
2May the ruler judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4May the ruler defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5May the sovereign live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6May the ruler be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7In the days of the ruler, may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more….
18Blessed be our God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
19Blessed be God’s glorious name forever; may God’s glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
Matthew 3:1-12
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This 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.’” 4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9Do 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. 10Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry that one’s sandals. The one coming will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12With winnowing fork is in hand, that one will clear the threshing floor and will gather wheat into the granary; but the chaff will be burnt with unquenchable fire.”
L: Readings from God’s Word P: Thanks Be to God!
Christmas Memories by Gary Beazley
(Song “O Holy Night” by Il Divo)
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, oh night when Christ was born;
O night divine, oh night oh night divine.
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord,
Let ever ever praise we,
noel, noel
O night, o night divine
O night divine, o night
O holy night
Reflection
Song Wexford Carol Sung by Celetic Woman
Good people all, this Christmas-time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day:
In Bethlehem upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God's angels did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
"Prepare and go," the angels said,
"To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you'll find, this happy morn,
A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born."
With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the Babe to find,
And as God's angel had foretold,
They did our Saviour Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by his side the Virgin Maid,
As long foretold, upon that morn,
there was a blessed Messiah born
We Respond to God
Prayers of the People
As we prepare the way of the Lord, let us offer prayers to God who will baptize us with Spirit and fire.
For the peace of the world, and for our unity in Christ.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson our Moderator and for Rev. Elder Diane Fisher and all the Elders, for all church leaders, and those who minister in Christ, and for all the holy people of God.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For the church throughout the world and the faithful in every place.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For the leaders of the nations and all in authority.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For justice, peace, and freedom among peoples of the earth.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For travelers, for the sick and the suffering, for the hungry and the oppressed, and for those in prison.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For the dying and the dead.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For our deliverance from all affliction, strife, and need.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
Joining our voices with all the saints and angels of God, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ. (Prayers may be offered in silence)
O Root of Jesse, who rises as a signal among all peoples, in whose presence rulers stand silent and nations bow in worship, come and deliver us without delay. For we ask this in the name of Christ who has taught us to pray in this spirit saying…
Our Creator who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy dominion 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the dominion, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
Reception of Tithes and Offerings
Sung Prayer of Dedication:
The Doxology—Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise God from whom all blessing flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
We Commune Together
The Eucharistic Prayer:
May the God of Advent wonder be with you.
And also with you.
People of God, lift up your hopeful hearts.
We lift them to the One who fills us
with all joy and peace.
Blessed be the One who comes to speak for the poor,
to set free those imprisoned by despair.
May the glory of the One who welcomes all to this Table
fill our sisters and brothers throughout creation.
God of Wonder:
your Spirit did not rest,
but transformed chaos into creation,
the mountains crying 'Glory!' with one voice,
the hills echoing the glad refrain.
You welcomed us into
your garden of peace and hope,
but we flocked to sin and death,
those entertainers who seduce us
with their temptations and tricks.
The prophets were sent
to help us understand our brokenness,
but we turned our backs
when they sang of your hopes for us.
And so, you prepared Jesus
to come to us, so we might know
the very nearness of your dominion.
Therefore, we would join our voices
with those of every time and place,
who sing of your glory:
Blessed be the God of Advent,
who alone showers us with grace!
O come, people of God,
let us walk in the Hope
which paves the paths to God’s dominion!
Holy are you, God of all creation,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Child,
who became our servant to save us.
He came,
so that those who could only speak
in anger to one another,
might sing songs of peace at your Table.
He came,
to shower the living waters of grace
upon our hope-parched souls.
He came,
to sweep death from
the bottoms of our hearts,
so we might dance
in your life forever.
Even now, as we prepare to celebrate
his birth, and ache for his return,
we sing of that mystery we call faith:
In rejection's stable, Hope was born;
on death's cruel tree, Hope cried out;
in our hearts, we long for Hope to return.
In hope we celebrate O God what Jesus did so long ago;
on the night before he died,
he, took bread;
when he had given you thanks,
he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take, eat, this is my body
which is given for you;
do this to remember me.
After supper he took the cup;
when he had given you thanks,
he gave it to them and said:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood
poured out for you;
do this as often as you drink it
to remember me.
Come to us in these moments,
God of Advent,
pouring your Spirit
upon the bread and the cup
that we might be drenched
by your grace and peace.
Then, when we are filled
with your justice and righteousness,
send us forth into the wilderness
of despair and loneliness,
to bring joy and hope;
to be servants to the poor;
to be voices for those silenced by oppression;
to become a bumper crop of reconciliation
in a world strewn with the stumps
from the violence of war and fear.
Then, when all time has ended,
all pain and hurt is gone,
you will welcome everyone to your Table,
where we can sing 'Glory!' with one voice
to Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
Sharing Communion
Songs During Communion
Wonderful Counselor Sung by John Michael Talbot
For unto us a child is born a son is given
Come Holy Spirit, come father this child
The virgin Mary shall be his mother
And his name shall be called Emmanuel.
Refrain: Sing Hallelujah to the Wonderful Counselor
Sing Hallelujah to the mighty God
Sing Hallelujah to the Father forever and
Sing Hallelujah to the true Prince of Peace
Understanding He will come, come with compassion
Come to forgive all of the world of sin.
And He will save all of the weak and tender hearted
And the meek forever shall dwell in their land.
Refrain: Sing Hallelujah to the Wonderful Counselor
Sing Hallelujah to the mighty God
Sing Hallelujah to the Father forever and
Sing Hallelujah to the true Prince of Peace
So let us beat all our swords into ploughshares
And let the wolf come be the guest of the lamb
And let the song of all the world’s nations be peaceful
Worship the child into the world in Bethlehem
Refrain: Sing Hallelujah to the Wonderful Counselor
Sing Hallelujah to the mighty God
Sing Hallelujah to the Father forever and
Sing Hallelujah to the true Prince of Peace
For unto us a child is born a son is given
Emmanuel, God With Us Sung by Amy Grant
We dim the light.
We stoke the fire.
We breathe the evergreen.
Young ones wait
While the old ones make up
Tales of how it used to be.
China dolls,
Candy corn,
Painted wooden toys,
Treasures found
To the wondrous sound
Of carolling the savior
Born to us on christmas morn.
Emmanuel, God with us,
Emmanuel!
Emmanuel, God with us,
The son of israel.
And still he calls
Through the night,
Beyond the days of old.
A voice of peace
To the weary ones,
Who struggle with the human soul.
All of us,
Travellers,
Through a given time.
Who can know
What tomorrow holds?
But over the horizon,
Surely you and I will find.
Emmanuel, God with us,
Emmanuel!
Emmanuel, God with us,
The son of israel.
And the years they come,
And the years they go,
Though we may forget somehow
That the child once born in bethlehem
Is still among us now.
(emmanuel....)
(emmanuel, God with us.
The son of israel.)
Emmanuel, God with us, (emmanuel.)
Emmanuel! (emmanuel.)
Emmanuel, God with us, (emmanuel.)
The son of israel. (israel.)
The son of israel.
The son of is...israel. (son of israel.)
Silent Prayer Following Communion
Sung Prayer of Thanksgiving
O Come let us adore Him
O Come let us adore Him
O Come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord.
We Go Forth to Live with Christ
The Blessing and Sending Forth:
May the God of every time, the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Spirit
People: as we “fling wide the door,” as we cry out in the wilderness, as we prepare the way of our God.
Song to Celebrate the Season Come and Join the Dance
Sung by Ardyth and Jennifer
Instrumental Introduction
O come and join the dance
That all began so long ago
When Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
Through all the years of darkness
Still the dance goes on and on
O, take my hand and come and join the song
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
O lift your voice and sing
And open up your heart to welcome Him
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
And welcome now your King
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
Come shed your heavy load
And dance your worries all away
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
He came to break the power of sin
And turn your night to day
O, take my hand and come and join the song
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
O lift your voice and sing
And open up your heart to welcome Him
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
And welcome now your King
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
Let laughter ring and angels sing
And joy be all around
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
And if you seek with all your heart
He surely can be found
O, take my hand and come and join the song
Repeat Refrain
O come and join the dance
That all began so long ago
When Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
Through all the years of darkness
Still the dance goes on and on
O, take my hand and come and join the song
Passing the Peace: (Please feel free to shake hands, or offer hugs as you feel comfortable. Offering the words….”The Peace of Christ” and join us for refreshments following the service.)](12-09-07_files/image001.gif)
We Gather To Worship God
Welcome and Announcements
The Lighting of the Advent Candle:
The Candle of Readiness: Prepare!
Reader 1: From the foundation of Jesse, from the stump, there shall come a new shoot!
Reader 2: God’s spirit shall rest upon that one.
Reader 1: God’s favored One shall find delight in all of God’s creation!
Reader 2: Peace shall reign--old enmities shall cease! For on that day we will celebrate God’s love with one another.
Reader 1: Today we light two candles. The first is the candle of Patience, reminding us to watch and wait for what God is about to do. [Light the first candle]
Reader 2: The second candle is the candle of Readiness, enabling us to look at our lives, to get rid of all those things that keep us from God, to change our ways and live as God would have us live. [The second candle is lighted]
Reader 1: Come, see the lights. Let their brightness fill you.
Reader 2: Come, feel the warmth of the lights. Let them give you comfort.
Reader 1: Come, draw near to the lights, for God is breaking through to you.
Reader 2: Come, rejoice in the lights, God is with us!
Opening Prayer (Unison)
Patient and loving God, we so easily launch ourselves in preparation for the secular festival of giving and parties and the swirl of social events; but we forget that the true preparation is the readiness of our hearts to receive you. Help us look again at our lives and turn them around so that they may be in tune with your will. We ask this in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
Advent Song: Hope is a Star
Hope is star that shines in the night,
Leading us on till the morning is bright.
Chorus: When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
And none shall be afraid
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
Giving a promise of safety and worth.
Repeat Chorus
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
Telling the world that the Saviour is born.
Repeat Chorus
Love is a flame that burns in our heart,
Jesus has come and will never depart.
Repeat Chorus
We Hear God’s Word
Scripture Readings: From the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible
11A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2The spirit of God shall rest on that one, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of God. 3This one’s delight shall be in the fear of God. The favored one shall not judge by what the eyes see, or decide by what the ears hear; 4but with righteousness shall that one judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and that one shall strike the earth with the rod of their mouth, and with the breath of their lips and shall kill the wicked. 5Righteousness shall be the waist belt, and faithfulness the belt around the loins. 6The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. 7The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. 9They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.
10On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of that one, and God favored one shall dwell in glory.
1Give the sovereign your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a their heir.
2May the ruler judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4May the ruler defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5May the sovereign live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6May the ruler be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7In the days of the ruler, may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more….
18Blessed be our God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
19Blessed be God’s glorious name forever; may God’s glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This 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.’” 4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9Do 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. 10Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry that one’s sandals. The one coming will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12With winnowing fork is in hand, that one will clear the threshing floor and will gather wheat into the granary; but the chaff will be burnt with unquenchable fire.”
L: Readings from God’s Word P: Thanks Be to God!
Christmas Memories by Gary Beazley
(Song “O Holy Night” by Il Divo)
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, oh night when Christ was born;
O night divine, oh night oh night divine.
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord,
Let ever ever praise we,
noel, noel
O night, o night divine
O night divine, o night
O holy night
Reflection
Song Wexford Carol Sung by Celetic Woman
Good people all, this Christmas-time,
Consider well and bear in mind
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His beloved Son.
With Mary holy we should pray
To God with love this Christmas Day:
In Bethlehem upon that morn
There was a blessed Messiah born.
Near Bethlehem did shepherds keep
Their flocks of lambs and feeding sheep;
To whom God's angels did appear,
Which put the shepherds in great fear.
"Prepare and go," the angels said,
"To Bethlehem, be not afraid;
For there you'll find, this happy morn,
A princely Babe, sweet Jesus born."
With thankful heart and joyful mind,
The shepherds went the Babe to find,
And as God's angel had foretold,
They did our Saviour Christ behold.
Within a manger He was laid,
And by his side the Virgin Maid,
As long foretold, upon that morn,
there was a blessed Messiah born
We Respond to God
Prayers of the People
As we prepare the way of the Lord, let us offer prayers to God who will baptize us with Spirit and fire.
For the peace of the world, and for our unity in Christ.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson our Moderator and for Rev. Elder Diane Fisher and all the Elders, for all church leaders, and those who minister in Christ, and for all the holy people of God.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For the church throughout the world and the faithful in every place.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For the leaders of the nations and all in authority.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For justice, peace, and freedom among peoples of the earth.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For travelers, for the sick and the suffering, for the hungry and the oppressed, and for those in prison.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For the dying and the dead.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
For our deliverance from all affliction, strife, and need.
(Prayers may be offered aloud or in silence) We wait in expectation Come, O Lord, and save us.
Joining our voices with all the saints and angels of God, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God through Christ. (Prayers may be offered in silence)
O Root of Jesse, who rises as a signal among all peoples, in whose presence rulers stand silent and nations bow in worship, come and deliver us without delay. For we ask this in the name of Christ who has taught us to pray in this spirit saying…
Our Creator who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy dominion 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the dominion, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen
Reception of Tithes and Offerings
Sung Prayer of Dedication:
The Doxology—Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise God from whom all blessing flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
We Commune Together
The Eucharistic Prayer:
May the God
of Advent wonder be with you.
And
also with you.
People of God, lift up your hopeful hearts.
We
lift them to the One who fills us
with all joy and peace.
Blessed be the One who comes to speak for the poor,
to set free those imprisoned by despair.
May
the glory of the One who welcomes all to this Table
fill our sisters and brothers throughout creation.
God of Wonder:
your Spirit did not rest,
but transformed chaos into creation,
the mountains crying 'Glory!' with one voice,
the hills echoing the glad refrain.
You
welcomed us into
your garden of peace and hope,
but we flocked to sin and death,
those entertainers who seduce us
with their temptations and tricks.
The prophets were sent
to help us understand our brokenness,
but we turned our backs
when they sang of your hopes for us.
And
so, you prepared Jesus
to come to us, so we might know
the very nearness of your dominion.
Therefore, we would join our voices
with those of every time and place,
who sing of your glory:
Blessed be the God of Advent,
who alone showers us with grace!
O come, people of God,
let us walk in the Hope
which paves the paths to God’s dominion!
Holy are you, God of all creation,
and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Child,
who became our servant to save us.
He
came,
so that those who could only speak
in anger to one another,
might sing songs of peace at your Table.
He came,
to shower the living waters of grace
upon our hope-parched souls.
He
came,
to sweep death from
the bottoms of our hearts,
so we might dance
in your life forever.
Even now, as we prepare to celebrate
his birth, and ache for his return,
we sing of that mystery we call faith:
In
rejection's stable, Hope was born;
on death's cruel tree, Hope cried out;
in our hearts, we long for Hope to return.
In hope we celebrate O God what Jesus did so long ago;
on the night before he
died,
he, took bread;
when he had given you thanks,
he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take,
eat, this is my body
which is given for you;
do this to remember me.
After supper he took the cup;
when he had given you thanks,
he gave it to them and said:
This cup is the new
covenant in my blood
poured out for you;
do this as often as you drink it
to remember me.
Come to us
in these moments,
God of Advent,
pouring your Spirit
upon the bread and the cup
that we might be drenched
by your grace and peace.
Then,
when we are filled
with your justice and righteousness,
send us forth into the wilderness
of despair and loneliness,
to bring joy and hope;
to be servants to the poor;
to be voices for those silenced by oppression;
to become a bumper crop of reconciliation
in a world strewn with the stumps
from the violence of war and fear.
Then, when all time has ended,
all pain and hurt is gone,
you will welcome everyone to your Table,
where
we can sing 'Glory!' with one voice
to Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
Sharing Communion
Songs During Communion
Wonderful Counselor Sung by John Michael Talbot
For unto us a child is born a son is given
Come Holy Spirit, come father this child
The virgin Mary shall be his mother
And his name shall be called Emmanuel.
Refrain: Sing Hallelujah to the Wonderful Counselor
Sing Hallelujah to the mighty God
Sing Hallelujah to the Father forever and
Sing Hallelujah to the true Prince of Peace
Understanding He will come, come with compassion
Come to forgive all of the world of sin.
And He will save all of the weak and tender hearted
And the meek forever shall dwell in their land.
Refrain: Sing Hallelujah to the Wonderful Counselor
Sing Hallelujah to the mighty God
Sing Hallelujah to the Father forever and
Sing Hallelujah to the true Prince of Peace
So let us beat all our swords into ploughshares
And let the wolf come be the guest of the lamb
And let the song of all the world’s nations be peaceful
Worship the child into the world in Bethlehem
Refrain: Sing Hallelujah to the Wonderful Counselor
Sing Hallelujah to the mighty God
Sing Hallelujah to the Father forever and
Sing Hallelujah to the true Prince of Peace
For unto us a child is born a son is given
Emmanuel, God With Us Sung by Amy Grant
We dim the light.
We stoke the fire.
We breathe the evergreen.
Young ones wait
While the old ones make up
Tales of how it used to be.
China dolls,
Candy corn,
Painted wooden toys,
Treasures found
To the wondrous sound
Of carolling the savior
Born to us on christmas morn.
Emmanuel, God with us,
Emmanuel!
Emmanuel, God with us,
The son of israel.
And still he calls
Through the night,
Beyond the days of old.
A voice of peace
To the weary ones,
Who struggle with the human soul.
All of us,
Travellers,
Through a given time.
Who can know
What tomorrow holds?
But over the horizon,
Surely you and I will find.
Emmanuel, God with us,
Emmanuel!
Emmanuel, God with us,
The son of israel.
And the years they come,
And the years they go,
Though we may forget somehow
That the child once born in bethlehem
Is still among us now.
(emmanuel....)
(emmanuel, God with us.
The son of israel.)
Emmanuel, God with us, (emmanuel.)
Emmanuel! (emmanuel.)
Emmanuel, God with us, (emmanuel.)
The son of israel. (israel.)
The son of israel.
The son of is...israel. (son of israel.)
Silent Prayer Following Communion
Sung Prayer of Thanksgiving
O Come let us adore Him
O Come let us adore Him
O Come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord.
We Go Forth to Live with Christ
The Blessing and Sending Forth:
May the God of every time, the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Spirit
People: as we “fling wide the door,” as we cry out in the wilderness, as we prepare the way of our God.
Song to Celebrate the Season Come and Join the Dance
Sung by Ardyth and Jennifer
Instrumental Introduction
O come and join the dance
That all began so long ago
When Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
Through all the years of darkness
Still the dance goes on and on
O, take my hand and come and join the song
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
O lift your voice and sing
And open up your heart to welcome Him
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
And welcome now your King
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
Come shed your heavy load
And dance your worries all away
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
He came to break the power of sin
And turn your night to day
O, take my hand and come and join the song
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
O lift your voice and sing
And open up your heart to welcome Him
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice!
And welcome now your King
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
Let laughter ring and angels sing
And joy be all around
For Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
And if you seek with all your heart
He surely can be found
O, take my hand and come and join the song
Repeat Refrain
O come and join the dance
That all began so long ago
When Christ the Lord was born in Bethlehem
Through all the years of darkness
Still the dance goes on and on
O, take my hand and come and join the song
Passing the Peace: (Please feel free to shake hands, or offer hugs as you feel comfortable. Offering the words….”The Peace of Christ” and join us for refreshments following the service.)
