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Worship Order for
Sunday
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Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
December 16, 2007
Worship 10:00 am, Sunday School 11:10 am
Third Sunday of Advent
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When
the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the
shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to
Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which
the Lord has made known to us.
(Luke 2:15) |
Morning Praise (9:45 am)
Announcements
Prelude
He
shall feed his flock Handel Advent Wreath Lighting the Candle of
Invitation
Call to Worship
*Hymn Bless'd be the God of Israel 174
*Opening Prayer
Scripture
Luke
2:8-20
Hymn Hark! the herald angels
sing 201
Message Witnesses
of the Nativity: the Shepherds
Hymn Good
Christian friends, rejoice 210
Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of
testimony or praise
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture
Isaiah 35:1-10
Time to Give - a unison
prayer (back of the bulletin)
Offertory
Shepherds Held
(Please sign the attendance pad
and pass it on)
*Hymn While by the sheep (see insert)
*Benediction
*Postlude
Christ,
whose glory fills the skies
Gounod
#'s are from Hymnal:
A Worship Book
Worship leaders - see basic
guidelines |
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Advent Wreath - Lighting the Candle of
Invitation
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(Two persons, new to our congregation, process
forward toward the end of the Prelude look for a
sign from the Pastor as to when. Bring a lit candle
and a microphone from the back. Stand on either side
of the worship table, facing the congregation. Begin
when the Prelude is finished.) |
1 Today is the third Sunday in Advent.
2 Previously, we lit the candle of preparation,
(re-light the first candle)
1 as well as the candle of anticipation.
(re-light the second candle)
2 It is time now to light the candle of
invitation.
(light the third candle)
1 Buried within the busy-ness of this season is joy.
2 Joy to the world, we sing.
1 Behold, I bring you good news of great joy.
2 Can you hear the sound of a heavenly host?
1 Christmas comes to us as a joyful invitation.
2 Come to Bethlehem and see him whose birth the angels sing.
1 Open your eyes, your mind, your heart.
2 The greatest advent-ure awaits.
1 How will you respond?
2 Will you be like Mary, the mother of Jesus?
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(Candlelighters remain up front, while worship
leader reads the scripture, then recess during the
first hymn giving the candle and mic to the
ushers.)
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Call to
Worship
46 And
Mary said,
My soul
magnifies the Lord,
47
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely,
from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His
mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He
has shown strength with his arm;
he has
scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He
has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he
has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He
has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.
If you are able, please stand and sing
#174, Blessd be the God of Israel
Luke
1:46-55, New Revised Standard
Version
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Opening
Prayer
Restorer of the distracted and world-weary,
ever faithful to Your promises
and ever close to Your people,
the whole Earth rejoices
in the hope of the Savior's coming,
and looks forward with longing
to His return at the end of time.
Prepare our hearts
and remove the sadness
which stops us being
the people of joy and hope
which His presence gives -
- for He is Lord, always. Amen.
by
Bill Fletcher,
New Zealand
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Pastoral Prayer
written closer to the time (if not at the
moment)
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A
Time to Give
(After reading
Isaiah 35:1-10):
The land shall be restored,
human suffering will come to an
end,
hope and justice will no longer be empty words,
and joy will surround the journey home.
That was the promise of God through Isaiah long ago;
a promise repeated by Mary, the
mother of Jesus;
a promise implied in the good
tidings of great joy extended to the shepherds;
a promise that became the very
purpose of Jesus, our Messiah.
As we prepare for his Advent, we allow this promise to color our
lives now.
Please turn to the back of your bulletin and join me in the
prayer printed there.
(pause briefly until it seems all
are ready)
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congregation in unison:
It is time for us
to see our sisters and brothers
who are hungry, O God -
hungry for food,
hungry for safety,
hungry for peace.
It is time for us
to look into their soul-full,
wondering eyes and see,
really see,
what is behind the ragged clothes
and news stories
and our own fear.
In this season of parties and gatherings,
remind us
that you did not break into this world
for lavish feasts and extravagant celebrations.
You break into our world for those who are
hungry.
Maybe we are scared of our own hunger,
and certainly
we do not want to be uncomfortable in our own privilege.
But you, O God, burst into this world in
unexpected circumstances,
in a strange land,
hungry and in need of shelter,
relying on the mercy of
strangers.
by
Melissa Bennett, pastor for worship and youth
Beacon
Heights Church of the Brethren
Fort Wayne, IN
Church of the
Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"
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Worship Leader: And all Gods
people said,
People: Amen.
Worship Leader: It is now a time
to give... Ushers?
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Benediction
The invitation has been extended to you, so
Dont be afraid.
Be an advent
angel to others.
Bring good news of great joy.
Remember the promise.
Yes, Christ
is born.
But there is more to come.
The reign of God is on its way.
Messiah is coming!
Glory to God
and on earth peace.
Amen?
People: Amen!
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(para traducir a espaρol, presione la bandera de Espaρa)
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