Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
“Fourth Sunday in Advent”
December 22, 2024
10:00am
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:46-55
Sermon: “Hope Worth Risking” by Rev. Dr. Ed Sunday-Winters
*Hymn: #120 (Songs of Spirit) Tomorrow Christ is Coming
*Hymn: #113 (Songs of Spirit) Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old
*Hymn: #121 (Songs of Spirit) Come, Though Long-Expected Jesus
Prelude: solo piano
Welcome & Announcements
Call to worship:
One: In this weary world,
All: we sing of joy.
One: In this fragile world,
All: we lift each other up.
One: In this beautiful world,
All: we look for God.
One: In this tender world,
All: we hold onto hope.
One: This is the invitation of faith.
So in this time of worship,
may we sing, lift up, look for, and hold onto our with-us God.
All: With hope in our hearts, amen!
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 tenderness.
Let us begin with our hearts on our sleeve.
Let us begin from a place of vulnerability
and hope.
Let us begin with love.
One: Yes, let us start with love.
Today we light the candles of hope, peace,
joy, and love.
All: May the warmth of these lights be
our cornerstone.
May the truth in these lights help us
begin again.
One: May it be so! Amen.
*Hymn: #120 (Songs of Spirit) Tomorrow Christ is Coming
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:46-55
Anthem: “Gentle Joseph, Joseph Dear” 15th century German carol
Sermon: “Hope Worth Risking” by Rev. Dr. 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.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, risking vulnerability and holding onto hope, we give. In so doing, we declare that your dream of justice flowing like a mighty stream and swords being beaten into plowshares is still alive. Amen.
*Hymn: #121 (Songs of Spirit) Come, Though Long-Expected Jesus
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: #113 (Songs of Spirit) Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old
*Benediction
*Musical Benediction “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in Peace. Never be afraid.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Go now in faith, steadfast strong and true.
Reach out to others so all the world can see,
Know He will guide you in all you do.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in Love. Amen
Postlude: solo organ