Worship - November 28, 2010

One candle... Hardly a flame to fully illuminate a room. Can we read by the light of just one candle? Is it enough to show where we should step in the middle of the night? If need be, will it help us keep awake through the twilight hours? (pause) Just one candle...

(light the first advent candle, the one in front)

One candle... We rise while it is still dark in order to keep watch. This is not merely a shepherd�s task, listening for danger in the night, ready to sound alarm and protect the flock. It is also the calling of every follower of Christ - to keep the night watch, to listen for the Lord�s coming� Light a candle� Turn to God�s Word... Pray� Keep awake�

Opening Prayer

O God, author of eternal light
         lead us in our worshiping this day:
                  that our lips may praise you,
                  our lives may bless you,
                  and our meditations glorify you,
                  through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Hymnal #673
Sarum Missal, 11th c.
Hymnal, #673

For Children
"Someone who walked in the light"

I will tell one of the legends attributed to St. Nicholas, bishop of bishop of Myra (4th century AD), noting that in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, Dec. 6th is celebrated as St. Nicholas Day. I'm adapting a resource written by Ruth Gilmore, found in Barefoot in the Snow, �2001, Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, pp. 46-47.

(p.s. as the children return to their seats, the organist will play "Jolly Old St. Nicholas")

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Do you remember the movie, �Field of Dreams?� In it, the main character is led to create a baseball field on his Iowa farm, by an inner voice which tells him, �build it and they will come.� That is how we often approach our mission as a church. We see this meetinghouse as �home base,� and seek to attract people to come through our door, saying to them, �Let us go to the house of the Lord.� However, what if we saw our mission as going out to where people are instead of just trying to invite them to come to us?

The story behind this season is of God doing just that, going out to where people are. Jesus was sent by God

to seek our good,

to bring a peace which would not be far, far away, but rather within,

to be a light in the middle of the dark places in which we find ourselves.

As we seek to follow him, what is our mission? Is it merely to �build it and they will come?� Or are we called to go out to where others are and seek their good, to be peacemakers pointing to the light of Christ that is within everyone who allows that spark to become a flame, however dim?

Ponder this as you return your offering. Ushers?

Dedication

Gracious and loving God, these gifts we offer are our response to the light which came into the world that first Christmas. Help us in this Advent season to allow that light to shine through us, so that the dark areas of people's lives life can be pierced by Christ's love. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen

from Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.

Prayer of Confession

We have gathered this morning, standing on the cusp of Advent. We prepare to receive the Messiah! But will we also take Jesus seriously when he promises to return? And do we believe that God will show up among us as we worship? Let us say together a responsive prayer of confession:

One: Jesus, we find ourselves going along like the people of Noah's day, preoccupied with our lives.

All: Eating and drinking. Working and playing. Seldom stopping to rest.

One: Life goes along, but we become sleepy to your presence.

All: We find ourselves with little energy for you.

One: We forget the life-changing message you call us to share through word and deed.

All: And after two thousand years, we begin to believe you will never come again.

One: We are lulled into lethargy and unbelief.

All: But Advent reminds us that you are full of surprises.

One: Advent calls us to keep awake! To watch! To pay attention and be ready!

All: Advent calls us to become the people of God again:

Unison: Called to your presence. And called to deeds of mercy, forgiveness, and peace. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Jesus says to us, "And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Sisters and brothers, we are forgiven! God blesses us with a gentle rain of grace.

by Paula Ziegler Ulrich, pastor
Nettle Creek Church of the Brethren Hagerstown, Indiana
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Benediction

The time for going on alert is with us.
   The hour has arrived for us to stop sleeping and wake up.
Now is our full salvation nearer than when we first believed.
The night is almost over and the dawn is in the sky.
     So let us throw off the trappings of darkness
     and dress ourselves for the light.

Jesus, the brightest star of the morning, gives us his promise:
�Look! I am coming quickly.�
The Spirit and the church say �Come!�
Let every one who hears answer, �Come!�
Amen! Even so come, Lord Jesus!

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ.
Amen!

by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.