GATHERING TO PRAISE GOD Sunday, December 4, 2022
Second Sunday of Advent
Prelude
Choral Introit
Praise Song
Introduction of the Stewardship Campaign
Welcome
The People Gather
L: Get ready, people of God! The time of hope and peace is at hand.
P: We are called to action rather than reaction.
L: Open your hearts to God’s word and God’s will.
P: Help us to be workers for God rather than observers.
L: Come, draw near to God in faith.
P: Let us prepare our hearts to receive the wondrous gifts of God. AMEN.
Hymn Sing We Now of Christmas UMH 237 v.1,2,3
The People Pray
Patient and loving God, we find it easy to prepare for a party, a dinner out, or a party; 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.
Lighting the Advent Candle
Reader: There is the voice of one crying in the wilderness……the voice cries out for peace and justice, for hope and transformation……that voice reaches to all of us who are comfortable. Things will be different. The Lord is about to do a new thing. This morning those who are drawn to the manger and not the shepherds of old, but are children who are abused, hurt, lost, alone – children who are cast aside – children who are driven into the slavery of poverty and who never hear the word of hope for something better. But God is doing something new! God is reaching out to those who do not expect it. God’s love is touching the hearts of those who are the voiceless – yes, there is a voice of one crying in the wilderness and that voice cries: Prepare the way. Get ready. Something new is happening and you will be included in it! Rejoice!
Carol Star-Child TFWS 2095 v.2
Special Music
Children’s Moment
The Word of God for the People of God
Scripture Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ took place. When Mary his mother was engaged to Joseph, before they were married, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit.19 Joseph her husband was a righteous man. Because he didn’t want to humiliate her, he decided to call off their engagement quietly. 20 As he was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child she carries was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all of this took place so that what the Lord had spoken through the prophet would be fulfilled:
23 Look! A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son,
And they will call him, Emmanuel.[a]
(Emmanuel means “God with us.”)
24 When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he didn’t have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus.
Message Disappointment, Doubt and a Dream
Pastoral Prayer
The People Bring Their Gifts
There are baskets in the back or use your online app
The People Come to the Table
*Blessing of the Sacraments*
Sharing the meal
The People Go into The World
Praise Song
Gaelic Benediction
Benediction
Postlude
Questions for reflection
Are there faith issues that leave you with serious belief questions today?
Doubt is not the same as disbelief. How can you keep your heart and mind open to the possibility of faith even when you have doubts?
Mary’s fiancé Joseph, a humble working man, bore the name of one of Israel’s great patriarchal heroes. What traits from his great namesake in the Hebrew past did Jesus’ earthly father emulate and live into in facing his important (but “behind the scenes”) responsibilities?
How confident are you that Jesus can, in fact, save you from any life missteps, and that he is the savior from sin that we all need?
Have you had to give up some cherished dream to obey God? Might you ever have to? How can you and God bend any such loss to a positive end?
What settings or practices help make God’s presence real to you?