Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
December 20, 2009
Worship 10:00 am              Sunday School 11:10am

Nearly 2 feet of snow fell upon us the day and night before this service. Along with most churches in the area, we cancelled worship and Sunday School. Much of the below was incorporated into the next Sunday's service - adapting from Advent to Christmas.

The Fourth Sunday of Advent 

  Morning Praise (9:45 am)
  Announcements
  Prelude                          "Glory to God in the Highest"                        Pergolesi

  Call to Worship                           Isaiah 9:2-7

*Hymn                            "To us a child of hope is born"                               189

*Opening Prayer

  Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle

  Song                                    "The Lord is coming"                            (see insert)

  Scripture                                     Micah 5:2-5

  For Children                       "Walking the walk"

(Congregation sings:)
We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night. Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

  Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
                                 (please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

  Quietly turning              (vs. 4) "O little town of Bethlehem"                             191

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                    Luke 1:39-45

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory                                    "Silent Night"                               arr. Vibbard
                                        (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

  Hymn                            "Oh, how shall I receive thee"                                182

  Scripture                                    Psalm 80:1-7

  Message                           "Let your face shine"

*Hymn                           "Angels we have heard on high"                              197

*Benediction

*Postlude                         "Hail to the Lord’s Anointed"                          Farmer

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Opening Prayer

O God of peace who is above every prince;
    God of wisdom and wonder who is above every counselor;
    God of passionate power who is above every ruler who believes that might makes right;
    Everlasting God who has seen empires rise and fall;
            watch over us this hour,
            prepare us for the coming of your Kingdom,
            help us to proclaim your saving truth.
This we pray in the name of the One upon whose shoulders your authority rests. Amen.

Lighting the Fourth Advent Candle

(The two advent candlelighters - a couple married here last summer, one of whom was baptized around Easter-time - come forward during the first hymn and stand, one on either side of the worship center. One should have the cordless mic from the back. On the way, the other picks up the mic from the stand up front and brings it forward. After the Opening Prayer, these candle lighters are voices 1 & 2 below. Wait to begin until the congregation is seated.)

1 - “To us a child of hope is born,

2 - to us a Son is given.”

1 - This is past history and present reality.

2 - Our celebration of Christ’s birth is but five days away.

1 - The season of Advent, however, is about more than Christmas.

2 - Like the disciples who have followed Jesus before us, we stand at the edge of a great Advent-ure.

1 - The future is God’s open book.

2 - With eyes wide open we watch for it.

(re-light the first candle)

1 - With hearts and minds engaged in the needs of today, we prepare for it.

(re-light the second candle)

2 - With boldness and compassion, we proclaim it.

(re-light the third candle)

1 - Through all our watching and preparing and proclaiming, we are mindful that this is God’s work in us, here and now.

2 - God is not finished.

1 - We light now the last Advent candle.

(light the fourth candle)

2 - Its flame reminds us of God’s purpose to save humanity.

1 - “I am the light of the world,” Jesus said.

2 - “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

(The two candle lighters then quietly return to their seats as we sing the next song. Along the way, return one mic to the stand and the other to the ushers in the back.)

listen to an mp3 file of the above

For Children
"Walking the walk"

            Children will again meet in the back of the sanctuary. Together, we'll remember (from previous weeks) how the wise men were watching the heavens, how they prepared for their journey by choosing the gifts they would bring, and how they spoke up before King Herod and proclaimed their story. The theme word for today is save. To meet the Savior of the world, the wise men needed to travel. To remember their journey we'll practice walking up the aisle, pretending we're riding camels, while the congregation sings the first verse to that familiar hymn.

We three kings of Orient are bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night. Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

Pastoral Prayer

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

Please pray with me:

            God of Glory, we eagerly anticipate the joy-filled celebration of Jesus' birthday party. We recall now in the quiet recesses of our minds the thrill of receiving your message of salvation. As we open ourselves again to this holy wonder, accept these generous gifts. May the ministries that these gifts support invite others to receive the saving message of the Christ Child. In His name, we pray. Amen.

from the Center for Stewardship, UMC
written by David S. Bell, currently Vice-President of Stewardship
with the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan.
Copyright 2009 David S. Bell.
 

Benediction