Worship Resouce |
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Advent 2013HOLY MARGINS: BIRTHING THE HOLYGod Comes to the Margins of a Brutal Empire
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Chorus only: | O may our hearts and minds be opened Fling the church doors open wide. May there be room enough for everyone inside. For in God there is a welcome, in God we all belong. May that welcome be our song. |
Sharing Our Lives in Community (i.e. announcements)
Introit (optional)
*Call To Advent Worship
In the midst of shortening days
Beneath heavy, rain saturated skies
WE GATHER!
Gathered to worship
Gathered to remember
the seeds of joy planted deep
within us, at the beginning of time
In the midst of red poinsettias
Beneath the angel's wings
WE GATHER!
Gathered to worship
Gathered to remember
the songs of joy sung by ancient
storytellers given to us, since the
beginning of time.
WE GATHER IN JOY TO WORSHIP!
*Advent Carol: Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (In Dulci Jubilo)
Inviting the Presence
God of Advent Joy
Across the infinity of space and time
a common heart beats in every breast….
THE WORLD AWAITS THE SONG OF JOY
In these busy days of preparation we seek quiet spaces
FOR WE BELIEVE IN YOUR SONG OF JOY
In the fear and darkness of the daily news.
WE BELIEVE IN YOUR SONG OF JOY
So as we come from the margins
MAY YOU LIGHT OUR WAY WITH JOY. AMEN
Sharing the Joy | The JOY of Christ be with you AND ALSO WITH YOU! |
*Singing Our Response: Longfellow's Carol J. Baptiste Calkin
Once in despair, I bowed my head.
There is no peace on earth, I said,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
of Peace on Earth, good-will to all.
Then peeled the bells, more loud and deep,
"God is not dead, God does not sleep.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
with Peace on Earth, good-will to all.
Reading from the Prophets: Isaiah 35: 1-10
On the margins the desert blooms and rejoices
Choir (optional)
Reading from the Gospel Luke 1: 39-45
On the margins joy comes through solidarity
Song of JOY: Joy Shall Come (optional) (Israeli traditional)
Reflecting On The Word:
*Singing our Joy: (optional)
Offering Our Gifts
OPEN OUR EARS that we may hear the cries of your people.
OPEN OUR EYES that we may see the needs of your creation.
OPEN OUR HEARTS that we may bring JOY to the despairing.
OPEN OUR HANDS that we may respond to God's generosity.
Offering is received
*Advent Doxology: In The Bleak Mid Winter verses 1 & 4
Giving Thanks:
Maker of Stars, Transformer of Life, Giver of JOY, here is the advent of our generosity:
THE GENEROSITY OF GIFTS PRESENTED;
THE GENEROSITY OF FAITH SHARED;
THE GENEROSITY OF JOY DECLARED. AMEN
*Carol: Joy to the World (Antioch)
* Blessing in Word:
May we know God's sustaining
AS OUR SOULS ARE MADE READY
On the margins
THE HOLY IS BORN
*Blessing in Song: Your JOY, O God St. Clement
Your JOY, O God is ever yearning
To touch and heal a world in a pain
May we in Christ be ever learning
To bring to birth that Joy again.