December 28, 2014 Prep

Theme: We Are Faithful -Living the Promise in Full Sight

 Sound Notes:

 
Reference Scriptures: Luke 2:21-40
²¹ After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
²² When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord ²³ (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), ²⁴ and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
²⁵ Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;^[d] this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.^{[e] 27} Guided by the Spirit, Simeon^[f] came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, ²⁸ Simeon^[g] took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

²⁹ “Master, now you are dismissing your servant^[h] in peace,
    according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation,
³¹     which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

³³ And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon^[i] blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed ³⁵ so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
³⁶ There was also a prophet, Anna^[j] the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, ³⁷ then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. ³⁸ At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child^[k] to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
³⁹ When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. ⁴⁰ The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.



Call To Worship:

Leader: We are here because we have heard a whisper of hope

People: and we have faith its day is come.

Leader: For we have heard a promise of peace

People: And we have faith its day is come

Leader: We have heard a shout of joy

People: And we have faith its day is come!

Leader: We have heard a song of love

People: and we have faith its day is come

Leader: We are here because we have heard of the birth of the Christ-child

People: Welcome to Christmas!

Leader: Welcome to worship

— adapted from a piece written by Cheryl Lawrie, on her blog [hold this space] http://holdthisspace.org.au/
Invocation:

O Holy God, blessed and worthy across all generations,
you watched and waited with Anna and Simeon.
You have been with us this Christmas, in our waiting and watching..
As you meet us here and now in this moment of worship,
we open our arms, our hearts and our minds to embrace your presence. 
We receive you with joy and gratitude.
Fill this time and space with your transforming love.
And hear us as we pray, Our Father.... 
 

Hymn Suggestions:

Hymn of Praise: CH #150 Hark the Herald Angels Sing  ALL

Prayer Hymn:  CH #151 The First Noel  1,2,4

         

Communion Hymn:  CH #148 O Come, All Ye Faithful  ALL

Hymn of Invitation: CH #143 Joy to the World ALL

Closing Music (10:40): CH #167 Go Tell It on the Mountain (chorus)