NOTES:Today's service is structured on the Las Posadas tradition from Mexico. La Posada is an honored and traditional Mexican drama at Christmas time. In Mexican cities and towns, children dressed as Mary and Joseph go from house to house only to be refused shelter. This part of the Christmas story and this tradition remind us that God enters our world in surprising places and interesting ways. It's easy to get so caught up in our everyday lives...to get busy and crowded and harried. It's much harder to stay aware and be ready to welcome God in some new way. We will walk the path through a busy city with Mary and Joseph in order that we may stay aware. That in our preparations and plans for Christmas, we keep our eye on the coming of Christ.
SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-7
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
8:30 AM Order of Service
The Gathering
Welcome
Prelude
We Gather in The Light of Christ
Lighting the Christ Candles
Children come forward to light the candles as we share the responsive reading.
Leader: In the beginning, God said,
People: 'Let there be light' and there was light!
Leader: We light these candles today,
People: Because God is with us in this time and in this place!
Hymn of Praise:"His Name is Wonderful" (sing twice)
Lighting the Advent Candle: LOVE
Advent Hymn: CH# 128 "One Candle is Lit" st. 4
Call to Worship
Leader: God comes! So don't let go
of all the reasons to rejoice.
People: We will sing a song of Advent
to the One who fills our lives with joy.
of all the reasons to rejoice.
People: We will sing a song of Advent
to the One who fills our lives with joy.
Leader: God comes! So don't stop
lifting your prayers with thanksgiving.
People: We will sing a song of Advent,
to the One who hears our words and silence.
lifting your prayers with thanksgiving.
People: We will sing a song of Advent,
to the One who hears our words and silence.
Leader: God comes! So don't stop
giving your hearts to God.
People: We will sing a song of Advent
to the One who graces us with a peace
we cannot begin to understand.
giving your hearts to God.
People: We will sing a song of Advent
to the One who graces us with a peace
we cannot begin to understand.
~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/
Invocation (UNISON)
Advent God,
we journey with you, to Bethlehem’s stable
we journey with you, to Bethlehem’s stable
with ears attuned to the song of angels,
and eyes alertfor Bethlehem’s star.
and eyes alertfor Bethlehem’s star.
Forgive us if on our journey, we are distracted
by the tempting offers of this world.
Keep our hearts aflame with the LOVE
of Christmas, and the promise of a Saviour. Amen
of Christmas, and the promise of a Saviour. Amen
~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. www.faithandworship.com
We Pray Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concern
Prayer Hymn:#125 "Come, O Long Expected Jesus" (all verses)
Praying Together
Prayers
of the People
(inspired by Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44)
Heavenly Father, we enter this new church year with
song, wreath and lessons. The very coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is near. Stir up in us
a yearning heart, an open mind, a spirit seeking your Spirit as company for our journey of faith. And when
the day of birth for Jesus finally comes, may He
be born in each of us also.
Stir up your power and come:
Be
born anew in us.
Lord Jesus Christ, you have come and are coming. You
have been here from the beginning, you have been here in time, and now you come to us in this
very hour. You remind us about yet another day, and another hour, another coming of which no one knows
the moment, except the Father. You bid us to be ready.
Stir up your power and come:
Be
born anew in us.
We bring before you, Holy Spirit, all the other
spirits that would rob us of the joy of Jesus' coming. We fearfully invite you to help us rid ourselves of all
the temporal and earthly concerns of this season, so that we may truly focus upon God incarnate, God in
flesh, God for real, God with us now.
Stir up your power and come:
Be
born anew in us.
Known to us, Lord, are persons with needs beyond our
own ability to fix. We thank you for all who attend to the sick, the weary, and the ones who feel
separated from you, the church, even each other. Hear our prayers for those whom we name who need a
special measure of your grace (bidding
prayers). As you come to them and be their healer, hear us pray.
Stir up your power and come:
Be
born anew in us.
All the earth, seas, and heavens are yours, and we
pray these prayers because you have promised to listen to us. Amen.
~ posted on the Lutheran Forum website. http://www.lutheranforum.org/extras/Advent_1.pdf
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn: MA #238 "Oh, How He Loves You and Me" (sing twice)
Communion Hymn: MA #238 "Oh, How He Loves You and Me" (sing twice)
The Elder’s Prayer of
Communion
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Supper
All are welcome to share at the
Table. Come forward using the center
aisle. As you partake of the bread and
the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the
table. The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
The Lord’s Prayer
Sermon: Las Posadas
Children and adults are invited to take a role in the story. Please check your pew to see if you have a key. If you do, you are an inn keeper.
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7
Sermon: Las Posadas
Children and adults are invited to take a role in the story. Please check your pew to see if you have a key. If you do, you are an inn keeper.
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentle Friends"
Blessing
People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Procession
Children extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,People: For God has placed the light in us!
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Procession
Mary and Joseph approach the last inn keeper, who offers to take them to the stable.
We all follow Mary and Joseph to the Fellowship Hall for our Christmas Festival.
We all follow Mary and Joseph to the Fellowship Hall for our Christmas Festival.
10:40AM Service
Welcome
Prelude
Prelude
We Gather in the Light of Christ
Call to Worship
Leader: God comes! So don't let go
of all the reasons to rejoice.
People: We will sing a song of Advent
to the One who fills our lives with joy.
of all the reasons to rejoice.
People: We will sing a song of Advent
to the One who fills our lives with joy.
Leader: God comes! So don't stop
lifting your prayers with thanksgiving.
People: We will sing a song of Advent,
to the One who hears our words and silence.
lifting your prayers with thanksgiving.
People: We will sing a song of Advent,
to the One who hears our words and silence.
Leader: God comes! So don't stop
giving your hearts to God.
People: We will sing a song of Advent
to the One who graces us with a peace
we cannot begin to understand.
giving your hearts to God.
People: We will sing a song of Advent
to the One who graces us with a peace
we cannot begin to understand.
~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/
Hymn of Praise:"His Name is Wonderful" (sing twice)
Invocation (UNISON)
Advent God,
we journey with you, to Bethlehem’s stable
we journey with you, to Bethlehem’s stable
with ears attuned to the song of angels,
and eyes alert for Bethlehem’s star.
and eyes alert for Bethlehem’s star.
Forgive us if on our journey, we are distracted
by the tempting offers of this world.
Keep our hearts aflame with the LOVE
of Christmas, and the promise of a Saviour. Amen
of Christmas, and the promise of a Saviour. Amen
~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. www.faithandworship.com
Lighting the Advent Candle: LOVE
Advent Hymn: CH#128 "One Candle is Lit" st. 4
Passing of the Peace
We return to our seats as the piano music begins.
Hymn of Faith #113 "Jesus Loves Me" (all verses)
We Prayer Together
We Share Our Joys &
Concerns
Prayer Hymn:#125 "Come, O Long Expected Jesus" (all verses)
Praying Together
Anthem " "Welcome to Our World"
Prayers
of the People
(inspired by Isaiah 2:1-5, Matthew 24:36-44)
Heavenly Father, we enter this new church year with
song, wreath and lessons. The very coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is near. Stir up in us
a yearning heart, an open mind, a spirit seeking your Spirit as company for our journey of faith. And when
the day of birth for Jesus finally comes, may He
be born in each of us also.
Stir up your power and come:
Be
born anew in us.
Lord Jesus Christ, you have come and are coming. You
have been here from the beginning, you have been here in time, and now you come to us in this
very hour. You remind us about yet another day, and another hour, another coming of which no one knows
the moment, except the Father. You bid us to be ready.
Stir up your power and come:
Be
born anew in us.
We bring before you, Holy Spirit, all the other
spirits that would rob us of the joy of Jesus' coming. We fearfully invite you to help us rid ourselves of all
the temporal and earthly concerns of this season, so that we may truly focus upon God incarnate, God in
flesh, God for real, God with us now.
Stir up your power and come:
Be
born anew in us.
Known to us, Lord, are persons with needs beyond our
own ability to fix. We thank you for all who attend to the sick, the weary, and the ones who feel
separated from you, the church, even each other. Hear our prayers for those whom we name who need a
special measure of your grace (bidding
prayers). As you come to them and be their healer, hear us pray.
Stir up your power and come:
Be
born anew in us.
All the earth, seas, and heavens are yours, and we
pray these prayers because you have promised to listen to us. Amen.
~ posted on the Lutheran Forum website. http://www.lutheranforum.org/extras/Advent_1.pdf
Anthem " "Welcome to Our World"
We Gather at The Lord’s Table
Invitation to the Table
Communion Hymn: MA #238 "Oh, How He Loves You and Me" (sing twice)
Communion Hymn: MA #238 "Oh, How He Loves You and Me" (sing twice)
The Elder’s Prayer of
Communion
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Supper
All are welcome to share at the
Table. Come forward using the center
aisle. As you partake of the bread and
the cup you are welcome to place an offering in the wooden bowl in front of the
table. The offering you share supports
the ministries and life of Christ’s church.
The Lord’s Prayer
Sermon: Las Posadas
Children and adults are invited to take a role in the story. Please check your pew to see if you have a key. If you do, you are an inn keeper.
We Contemplate God’s Word
Scripture: Luke 2:1-7
Sermon: Las Posadas
Children and adults are invited to take a role in the story. Please check your pew to see if you have a key. If you do, you are an inn keeper.
We Go Forth into the World
Challenge for Discipleship
Discipleship Hymn: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentle Friends"
Discipleship Hymn: "God Rest Ye Merry Gentle Friends"
Acolytes come forward.
Blessing
Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Parting Song:"Go in Peace" (sing once)
Acolytes extinguish the candles as we share the responsive reading.
Leader: The light that was in one place at one time, is now in all places and all times,
People: For God has placed the light in us!Leader: We go in peace!
People: Amen!
Procession
Mary and Joseph approach the last inn keeper, who offers to take them to the stable.
We all follow Mary and Joseph to the Fellowship Hall for our Christmas Festival.
We all follow Mary and Joseph to the Fellowship Hall for our Christmas Festival.
No comments:
Post a Comment