Call to Worship Adapted from Cheryl Lawrie

 

It doesn’t matter whether or not you can have faith;
whether or not you are cynical or despairing,
hope-filled or hope-less:
what matters to God is simply that you are here.

 

We are entering the time of Advent,
in preparation for Christmas.
Advent reminds us that if God is to be born again
in the most ordinary parts of our world and our lives
that we need prepare for it.

 

We need to make the space in our lives
where love might be born.

 

Welcome to this tiny corner of a harsh and dark world.
Together, let us practice being ready
in the faith that Christ will come.

 

Song – O Come, All Ye Faithful

 

Scripture Reading – Isaiah 35:10

 

 

Prayer for Others Adapted from Christine Sine

 

Into our troubles and weaknesses,
Into the barren places of our souls, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

 

Into the war torn and the refugee,
Into those who live in conflict, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

 

Into the homeless and the unemployed,
Into those who feel abandoned, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

 

Into the sick and the disabled,
Into those with covid and with cancer, Come, Lord
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

 

Into the poor and the starving,
Into those who are oppressed or abused, Come Lord
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

 

Into the lives of loved ones,
Into those from whom we are estranged, Come Lord,
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

 

Into our joys and celebrations,
Into our work and our achievements, Come, Lord
Come down, come in, come among us and make us whole.

 

O Christ we long for your coming. Hasten that day when those who seek you in every nation will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south and sit at table in Your Kingdom. Hasten the day when your Kingdom will come in all its glory and suffering and pain and sickness and oppression and death will be overcome forever. Hasten the day when we will be resurrected as a great multicultural family and live in peace, harmony, joy and love together in your kingdom.

 

Scripture Reading – Isaiah 7:14

 

 

Sermon Video

 

Song – O Come O Come Emmanuel

Unfortunately, most versions of this hymn do not include all the stanzas mentioned in the sermon. Still, enjoy this version that consists of the 4 most often sung stanzas.

 

Advent Prayer Adapted from Rev. Deborah Vaughn

 

silently and gently
falling and failing
changing and resting
seeking you, Lord…

 

we watch
we wait
we dream
we pray…

 

for the earth to renew
for our hearts to soften
for your grace to cover us
for your justice to pour out
for time and space to listen
for courage to act

 

on the edge of Advent,
we sit with you…
we pause…
we hurt…
we repent…
we rage…

 

When will it be?
Will it ever be?
Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Amen.

 

Benediction