Sunday, December 6, 2020

2nd Sunday of Advent




 Let’s start with three deep breaths and relax….

 

Opening Reflection: 


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!



let us begin today’s worship

 

Call to Worship 

L: In the middle of dark times, our Lord cries out:


P: “Comfort, comfort my people!”


L: When it seems as though we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel,


P: Our Lord says to us, “ Be at peace, for your time of difficulty has ended.”


L: Lord, we await the time of comfort and peace!


P: Lord, we are thankful for your compassion and never-failing love for us. AMEN.



Lighting the advent candle


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYs2lgDEEtQ&ab_channel=AsburyMemorialChurchVideos


 


O Come O Come Emmanuel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QvGHZQaGJk&ab_channel=FirstCongregationalChurchofHouston

 

 

Mark 1:1-8

The Proclamation of John the Baptist

1 The beginning of the good news[a] of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[b]

2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,[c]

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,[d]

    who will prepare your way;

3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

    make his paths straight,’”

4 John the baptizer appeared[e] in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with[f] water; but he will baptize you with[g] the Holy Spirit.”



The word of God for the people of God!


Thanks be to God!

 

Sermon 


 

 



A call to prayer

This is a time of sharing.

A time of lifting, lifting up our hearts

In gratitude and supplication.

What joys do you have to share,

What blessings?

What needs weigh on your heart?

Bring them here in community that we may all lift them up to God.

 

Please write your joys and concerns in the comment section and I will lift them up after this hymn

 

 

Quiet Reflection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUhBrhl73s8&ab_channel=ClaremontUnitedChurchofChrist


Let us pray the prayer Jesus taught us

 

Our Creator, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kin-dom 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 kin-dom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen

 

Invitation to the Offering

In gratitude for all that God has given us, we receive this morning offering, pledging these gifts and our lives in God’s service. AMEN.


Donate Here!

 

Doxology #778 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9My-_5s6bBQ&ab_channel=DanInglis 


Offering Prayer

 

Lord, we bring these gifts to you, thankful for all the ways you have healed and enriched our lives. May these gifts be used in service to others in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

 

 

 

Celebration of Holy Communion

(Please if you have not already prepared elements for communion do so. Remember that even an English muffin can become a sacrament, even a cup of water or tea can become a remembrance of God’s redeeming love)

Invitation




For Holy Communion this morning,

I invite you to lend Christ your table.


We recall that once a long time ago Jesus gathered with his friends in a room. Men, woman, children, free and slave, Jewish, roman, tax collector and priest all gathered as friends to celebrate a feast.


We do not know all the conversations that were shared. We do not know the menu of the day. Yet by faith we proclaim these words.




The Communion words sent to the church at Corinth.


For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,

that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed

took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks,

he broke it and said,

“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying,

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,

you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.




Sharing of the Elements



Leader:    Let us in our many places receive the gift of God, the Bread of Heaven.

Unison:    We are one in Christ in the bread we share.



Leader:    Let us in our many places receive the gift of God, the Cup of Blessing.

Unison:    We are one in Christ in the cup we share.



Prayer of Thanksgiving



Leader:


Let us pray in thanksgiving for this meal of grace,

rejoicing that, by the very method of our worship,

we have embodied the truth that Christ’s love

is not limited by buildings made with human hands,

nor contained in human ceremonies,

but blows as free as the Spirit in all places.



Unison: 


Spirit of Christ, you have blessed our tables and our lives.

May the eating of this Bread give us courage to speak faith and act love, not only in church sanctuaries, but in your precious world,

and may the drinking of this Cup renew our hope

even in the midst of pandemic.

Wrap your hopeful presence around all

whose bodies, spirits and hearts need healing,

and let us become your compassion and safe refuge. Amen


 The office is open for regular hours

We are accepting donations for the kidz cupboard and the food pantry

 

I am available for one on one virtual visits or phone calls if you need any prayer we will be together again one day, but until then remember you are the hands and the feet of our lord in this world and in this world of no physical contact we can still smile, wave, chat, check in

 

God be with you till we meet again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAgnmF8bB6I&ab_channel=ParkHillUCC


Closing Prayer

Lord, we have listened to your word for us this day. We are grateful for the love of Jesus who takes our burdens and lightens our spirits. Be with us today as we leave our virtual space. May we continue to place our trust in you, for it is in the name of Jesus that we pray. AMEN.

 

Benediction/Sending Forth

God is bringing light to our darkness. We are called to go into the world, confident in God’s loving presence, to serve others in need. Go, bringing hope and peace to this darkened world. Go in God’s love. AMEN.



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