Rev Ed Sunday-Winters – Service
Hal Parker – Musical Director
Priscilla Bonney-Smith – Flowers
Sunday Service
1st Sunday of Advent and Communion November 26, 2023
10:00am
Scripture: Luke 1:1-23 John Howard
Sermon: We Say, “I Am Tired.” 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) O Christ, How Shall I Meet You
Prelude: solo piano, Hal
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
One: In God’s house, we can be joyful.
Many: We can be grateful. We can be hopeful.
One: In God’s house, we can be weary.
Many: We can be anxious. We can be grieving.
One: In God’s house, we can be honest —
Many: inspired or tired, delighted or doubtful, connected or curious, and
everything in between.
One: This is God’s house. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Many: Let us worship our loving 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.
Candle Lighting
One: How does a weary world hope?
Many: By telling stories of hope, by lighting candles in the night, and planting seeds in the winter that will bloom in the spring.
One: By praying for children as they grow, and picking up trash on the sidewalk.
Many: By insisting that small acts can make a difference.
One: There are a million ways to practice hope. So today we light the candle of hope as a reminder and a charge.
Many: With God’s help, may we bring hope into a weary world. Amen.
*Hymn: #114 (Songs of Spirit) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Confession
One: Gracious God, we are weary. For weary bodies that ache and cry out, we pray:
Many: Forgive us for pushing ourselves too hard. Reminds us that we deserve Sabbath rest.
One: For weary minds that feel overwhelmed and saturated with news, we pray:
Many: Forgive us for creating so many distractions. Remind us that in the quiet, we can hear you.
One: For weary hearts that long to feel the joy of this season, we pray:
Many: Forgive us for being impatient with ourselves. Remind us that healing takes time, and that joy and grief can coexist.
One: For the weary edges of our faith that struggle to hold onto hope,
Many: Forgive us. Remind us of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Remind us that your good news knows no bounds. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Scripture: Luke 1:1-23
Anthem: “Communion Hymn” by David Kellermeyer
Sermon: We Say, “I Am Tired.” 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.
*Unison Prayer of Dedication
Holy God, as we give ourselves to you this morning,
We give believing in a God who hears our prayers,
who knows the shape and form of our weariness.
We give believing in a God who wants joy and delight for us,
not just survival and existence.
We give believing in a God who looks ahead,
who is not done dreaming for the world—
a God who sends hope in the form of people and change,
movements and Spirit.
And so we return to this space.
We bring our joy and our weariness
like two sides of the same coin,
and we trust that God is already at work.
Yes, we give believing in a God who hears our prayers.
Thanks be to God for a love like that.
Amen.
Communion
*Hymn: #314 (Songs of Spirit) As We Gather at Your Table
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: #130 (Songs of Spirit) O Christ, How Shall I Meet You
*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