Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 43:1-7
Sermon: Precious Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters

*Hymn: #114 (Songs of Spirit) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
*Hymn: #314 (Songs of Spirit) As We Gather at Your Table
*Hymn: #130 (Songs of Spirit) Christ, How Shall I Meet You

Prelude: solo piano

Welcome & Announcements

Call to worship:
One: God says,
All: “Do not be afraid.”
One: God says,
All: “I have called you by name.”
One: God says,
All: “I will be with you.”
One: God says,
All: “You are precious and honored in my sight.”
One: At the beginning of this season,
All: at the start of this week,
One: at the top of this hour,
All: may we wrap ourselves in these words.
May we begin again.
One: Let us worship our Holy God!

Opening Prayer

*Gloria Patri   #36
Glory be to the Creator, and to the Christ and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen. Amen.

Litany of lighting
One: In a weary and worn world,
how do we begin again?
Where do we start?
All: Let us begin with the good news!
Let us begin by trusting that we are a
blessing, loved by a gracious God.
Let us begin with music and singing!
Let us begin with warmth and welcome.
Let us begin with hope.
One: Yes, let us begin with hope.

Today we light the candle of hope to
shine a light in a worn and weary world.
All: May this be our foundation.
May this be our fresh start.
May this be our new beginning.
One: May hope flow forth from here.
Amen!

*Hymn: #114 (Songs of Spirit) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Unison Prayer of Confession
Affirming God,
Your first words to creation were words of love.
You looked at this earth and said, “It is good.”
You spoke affirmations through the prophets.
You spoke blessings over Mary.
You spoke belonging through Christ.
At every turn, you have reiterated that we are a blessing,
made in your image, held in your love.
Forgive us for forgetting this truth.
Forgive us for measuring our worth by society’s measuring stick
instead of yours.
We believe.
Help our unbelief.
In Christ’s name we pray,
amen.

Assurance of pardon

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 43:1-7

Anthem: “We Look for the Star” by Charles Wesley and Hal Hopson

Sermon: Precious Rev. Ed Sunday-Winters

A Time of Silence

Offertory:

*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen.