Home For Christmas

 

Introduction to Elizabeth and Zechariah

 

In our worship this morning, we will be reading a good portion of scripture from Luke’s gospel account. In it, we will hear the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. Their faithfulness in the face of longsuffering is exactly what Advent is all about. Let us begin our worship!

 

Scripture Reading – Malachi 3:1 and 4:4-6(CEB)

 

Malachi 3:1

 

1 Look, I am sending my messenger who will clear the path before me;
suddenly the Lord whom you are seeking will come to his temple.
The messenger of the covenant in whom you take delight is coming,
says the Lord of heavenly forces.

 

Malachi 4:4-6

 

 

Call to Worship by Ann Siddall

 

We are called to wake from sleep,
to wake up and hear,
to wake up and see.

 

What has the Lord to show to us?
A new life,
a new world,
a different set of priorities,
freedom from the tyranny
of desiring and acquiring.

 

Wake up,
wake up!
Hear the invitation
that echoes down the centuries.
Welcome the Way of Christ
and find freedom.

 

Not when the mountains shake,
or the seas roar,
or the clouds part to reveal You,
Holy One,
but here and now,
on this one ordinary day,
we will wait and watch
for You will surely come to us.
Amen.

 

Song – Of The Father’s Love Begotten

 

Scripture Reading – Luke 1:5-25 (CEB)

 

5 During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. 9 Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. 10 All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. 11 An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear.
13 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John.14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. 16 He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? My wife and I are very old.”
19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence. I was sent to speak to you and to bring this good news to you. 20 Know this: What I have spoken will come true at the proper time. But because you didn’t believe, you will remain silent, unable to speak until the day when these things happen.”
21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they wondered why he was in the sanctuary for such a long time. 22 When he came out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he gestured to them and couldn’t speak. 23 When he completed the days of his priestly service, he returned home. 24 Afterward, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She kept to herself for five months, saying,25 “This is the Lord’s doing. He has shown his favor to me by removing my disgrace among other people.”

 

Song – Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

 

Scripture Reading – Luke 1:67-80

 

67 John’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,
68 “Bless the Lord God of Israel
because he has come to help and has delivered his people.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house,
70 just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.
71 He has brought salvation from our enemies
and from the power of all those who hate us.
72 He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
and remembered his holy covenant,
73 the solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham.
He has granted 74 that we would be rescued
from the power of our enemies
so that we could serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness in God’s eyes,
for as long as we live.
76 You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
77 You will tell his people how to be saved
through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of our God’s deep compassion,
the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
79 to give light to those who are sitting in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide us on the path of peace.”
80 The child grew up, becoming strong in character. He was in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

 

Sermon Video

 

Prayer of Confession

 

“Prepare the way of the Lord!
Make a straight road for him!” Matthew 3:3

 

Holy and loving God,
we have dwelt in darkness
and preferred it to the light;
we have been proud of our accomplishments
and despaired over our shortcomings.
Smooth down the mountains of our pride,
and lift up the valleys of our doubts.
Open a path in the wilderness of our lives
that we might find our way to you again.
Refine us and prepare us once again
for life in your kingdom.
Forgive us O Lord. We confess our sins. Amen.

 

Assurance of Forgiveness

 

Hear the good news of forgiveness in Jesus the Messiah

 

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 

 

Communion Adapted from Bo Sanders

 

Ensure that you have the simple elements before you, a cup and bread of your choosing.

 

 

Recite these words as you participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s supper:

 

“We give thanks for this bread and for the earth from which these ingredients come in humble acknowledgment that we are a part of your loving creation and that as these elements are rooted in the earth that our very life is dependent on. You created all things good and we are a part of that creation. We acknowledge that this bread symbolizes your body, broken for us.

 

On the night that Jesus took the cup, he lifted it and gave thanks–infusing it with new meaning. This cup represents the life and the love of Christ poured out. This cup symbolizes the heart of God, poured in love for all creation. We give thanks for what is in this cup in for the earth from which these elements come. We are grateful for the vines and bushes and brambles which give fruit in due season and fill our lives with good things.”

 

Take the elements when you are ready, giving thanks to God.

 

Song – O Come, All Ye Faithful

 

Benediction