May the God of peace sanctify you entirely; and may
your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23)
(Moravian Daily Texts 2014)
ORGAN PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP
(Psalm 126)
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who are in a dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoice.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves.
Hymn 512 * To God be the glory!
People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)
(Three Advent candles are carried into church lit)
OPENING PRAYER
Come, great spirit of joy,
and fill our hearts and minds today.
Come, miraculous laughter,
and help us to rejoice.
Come, enlivening comforter, and give us the
courage to proclaim and celebrate all that
sparks the divine flame within us.
Come, wondrous light,
and lead us on this path toward new life.
Come, for we are ready to hear your words and
feel your presence.
Come, for we are your people,
longing to be renewed.
A voice is crying in the wilderness – a
wilderness not just of stones and barren places,
but a wilderness of wrong, of short-sightedness,
of selfishness. A voice is proclaiming hope,
and light is coming to our world.
A voice is crying in the wilderness – a
wilderness not just of frantic lives and shattered
dreams, but a wilderness of wrong, of hatred, of
warfare. A voice is proclaiming peace,
and light is coming to our world.
A voice is crying in the wilderness – a
wilderness not just of darkness and despair, but
a wilderness of guilt, of fear, of self-doubt.
In the wilderness, a voice is proclaiming joy,
and light is coming to our world. Amen.
CHILDREN’S TIME
WORDS of ASSURANCE
God is in Christ, proclaiming good news to the
poor, healing the broken-hearted, announcing
release to captives, and freedom to all who are
imprisoned. The time has come when the Lord
will save his people. Thanks be to God. Amen.
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
Hymn 359 * He came down…
(Children may leave for Kids’ Church in the halls next door)
SCRIPTURE READINGS