Sunday, November 28, 2021 - Finding Ourselves in Jesus' Story

Theme: Finding Ourselves in Jesus’ Story - Understanding Our Limits (in Hope)

Hymn         Prepare the Way, O Zion      (In Person Only)

Welcome

 

Lighting of the Advent Candle (Hope)

Prayer for God’s Presence

Luke 1:5-12                           Common English Bible Translation

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. They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. Following the custom of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear. (Question: Have you ever had a fearful moment turn into something amazing?)

Luke 1:13-18

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. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, 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. He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. 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.” Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? My wife and I are very old.” (Question: What is your initial reaction when something doesn’t make sense?)

Hymn       O Lord, How Shall I Meet You   (In Person Only)

Luke 1:19-23

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. 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.” Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they wondered why he was in the sanctuary for such a long time. 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. When he completed the days of his priestly service, he returned home. (Question: What happens when you are pushed to your limits in life?) 

Luke 1:24-25, 57-60

Afterward, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She kept to herself for five months, saying, “This is the Lord’s doing. He has shown his favor to me by removing my disgrace among other people.” When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a boy. Her neighbors and relatives celebrated with her because they had heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy. On the eighth day, it came time to circumcise the child. They wanted to name him Zechariah because that was his father’s name. But his mother replied, “No, his name will be John.” (Question: Where do you easily and not so easily draw boundaries in your life with others?)

Hymn      I Danced in the Morning       (In Person Only)

Luke 1:61-66

They said to her, “None of your relatives have that name.” Then they began gesturing to his father to see what he wanted to call him. After asking for a tablet, he surprised everyone by writing, “His name is John.” At that moment, Zechariah was able to speak again, and he began praising God. All their neighbors were filled with awe, and everyone throughout the Judean highlands talked about what had happened. All who heard about this considered it carefully. They said, “What then will this child be?” Indeed, the Lord’s power was with him. (Question: What are the boundaries you have drawn that have resulted in living into joy?)

Reflection Together (In Person Only)

Offering Ourselves to God

  During this time let us reflect upon the words of “What Child Is This”

What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? 

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet while shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary!

Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading. Nails, spear, shall pierce him through; the cross be borne for me, for you. Hail, hail, the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary!

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh; come, one and all, to own him. The King of kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone him. Raise, raise the song on high. The virgin sings her lullaby. Joy, joy, for Christ is born, the babe, the son of Mary!

Carol       What Child Is This         (In Person Only)

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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Benediction

Closing Hymn  Jesus, Jesus, O What a Wonderful Child  (In Person Only)

Hymn List

104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

106 Prepare the Way, O Zion

126 Jesus, Jesus, O What a Wonderful Child

145 What Child Is This

157 I Danced in the Morning

Advent Series November 28th – December 19th

Theme: Finding Ourselves in Jesus’ Story

Dec 5th – Discovering Our Purpose (in Peace)

            Carol: Away in a Manger

Dec 12th – Finding Our Confidence (in Joy)

            Carol: Silent Night

Dec 19th – Celebrating Our Relationships (in Love)

            Carol: O Come, All Ye Faithful

Christmas Eve Services

Dec 19th @ 5pm

Dec 24th @ 7pm

Sunday, December 26th Worship is Online Only (No in person worship this day)