Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 10, 2023
10:00am
Scripture: Luke 1:24-45 / Isaiah 40:1-11 Gina Jenkins
Sermon: “We Hold onto Each Other”
*Hymn: #123 (Songs of Spirit) The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
*Hymn: #119 (Songs of Spirit) Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
*Hymn: #124 (Songs of Spirit) My Heart Sings Out with Joyful Praise (Song of Mary)
Prelude: Solo piano, Hal
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
One: Welcome to worship.
Many: Welcome to worship.
One: I am glad you’re here.
Many: I am glad you’re here.
One: Surely God is in this space.
Many: Surely God is in this space.
One: I see God in your face.
Many: I see God in your face.
One: Let us worship together.
Many: Let us worship together.
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.
Candle Lighting
One: How does a weary world practice peace?
Many: By listening before we speak and saying sorry when we need to.
One: By advocating for justice and caring for our neighbor. By practicing Sabbath and forgiving seventy times seven.
Many: By choosing grace over hate and opening the door for each other.
One: There are a million ways to practice peace. So today we light the candle of peace as a reminder and a charge.
Many: With God’s help, may we bring peace into a weary world. Amen.
*Hymn: #123 (Songs of Spirit) The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
Scripture: Luke 1:24-45 / Isaiah 40:1-11 Gina Jenkins
Anthem: “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” Psalmodia Sacra (1715), Taylor Linden
Sermon: “We Hold onto Each Other”
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.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, we give this morning believing that joy is a sacred gift meant to be shared. We are grateful that you have brought us into connection with one another so that we can share it with one another and with others. How glad we are that on those days when Joy seems far off, we have each other, and you have us. Amen.
*Hymn: #119 (Songs of Spirit) Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever.
*Hymn: #124 (Songs of Spirit) My Heart Sings Out with Joyful Praise (Song of Mary)
*Benediction
*Musical Benediction #334 (Songs of Spirit), Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name, verse 2 only
Grant us thy peace upon our homeward way;
With thee began, with thee shall end the day;
Guard thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,
that in this house have called upon thy name.
Postlude: Solo organ, Hal