Tag: Year C

February 19, 2025

Lectionary Texts

Jeremiah 17.5-10 — “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord.. they shall be like a tree planted by water.” “The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it?”

Psalm 1 — “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.

1 Corinthians 15.12-20 — “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile…. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died.”

Luke 6.17-26 — The first part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain (preceded by healings): blessings and woes.

Preaching thoughts

Jeremiah
       Faith is not heaving all the right answers. It’s being rooted in God. Both Jeremiah and the Psalm offer this image of being deeply rooted in a life-giving, nourishing stream. In faith we don;t have to “go to God:” we are already rooted in God; all we have to do is receive the grace that flows to us, underground, unseen, but steady. Those who we judge as “unrighteous” aren’t punished; but they’re like “shrubs in the desert who don’t see when relief comes.” They don’t receive the grace that’s given to them, that streams below them. Maybe, as in one of Jesus’ parables, their roots are too shallow.
       But what impedes our receiving God’s grace? What makes it so hard to send our roots down, down, deep into God? Well, that’s a mystery. “The heart is devious.” Our sin is our disconnectedness from God, the illusion that we’re separate. And in our separateness we can’t see clearly. So we ask God to help us see—this is not judgment, but discernment: we welcome God’s “testing the mind and searching the heart.”
       A special warning is given to those who “amass wealth unjustly”. That’s not just people who make money through immoral means. It means those who keep their money and spend it on themselves instead of using it justly. Of course, though that’s especially true for billionaires, it’s true for all of us, isn’t it?

1 Corinthians
       Paul seems to be arguing backwards: the proof of resurrection is that Christ is risen. But I think he’s not really trying to convince skeptics that there is such a thing as resurrection. He’s reminding us who do believe in resurrection that it’s the bedrock of our faith. We’re not just following somebody who taught us some really good moral precepts. We’re entrusting ourselves to a God who brings life out of death—as we have seen in the resurrection of Christ. Our faith in is God’s grace, which transcends the powers and limitations of this world. You can agree with the ideas you’ve learned from Jesus, but the life of faith isn’t an idea, it’s a commitment, an adventure—and a risk. If you really live by Jesus’ teachings—blessed are you poor, you who mourn, you who hunger for justice—then you’ll necessarily risk the riches, comforts and security of this world for the sake of love and justice. You will have to let go of much. And only a God of resurrection will get you through that.

Luke
       It is noted that this is a sermon on the plain, not the mount, that the blessed are “you poor,” not “those (others) who are poor in spirit.” Which did Jesus say? Both. For Jesus people’s “physical” and “spiritual” needs were part of the same thing. He didn’t distinguish. He offered physical experiences—healing their physical bodies, feeding them physical food—all of which carried profound spiritual meaning, affecting their relationship with God, themselves and others. The spiritual / physical dualism is false. Everything is both. For the poor, oppressed and downtrodden, sometimes justice comes in the form of encouragement, empathy and companionship, and sometimes it comes in the form of real food, or money, or political power. “Good news for the poo” means both “thoughts and prayers” and also legislation.
       Jesus’ beatitudes are a radical counter to secular understanding of what makes for happiness. The source of our blessing is not the condition of our lives—whether or not we’re poor, or mourning, or longing for justice that’s unfulfilled. Rather, the source of our blessing is God’s grace, which is available to everybody, including the poor and miserable. God’s grace brings life out of death; it transcends, overwhelms and subverts human fate, will and intention.
       Jesus is not necessarily coaching us to become poor or grieving, but to love, even at great risk, trusting God to bless us even if we do become poor or hungry. And he’s encouraging those who are poor and mourning that God is with them. The poor are not more blessed than the rest of us, but if we’re not rooted in God’s grace, we’re less aware of our blessing, less able to receive the nourishment that flows from those underground streams of blessing, because our trust is in our own skill, resources, bank account, luck, whatever. The times we truly behold the depth of God’s grace is when we have to, when there’s no other option, when we really are poor or powerless.
       If we really want to receive the blessing that Jesus offers the poor, the way is not necessarily to take on suffering, but to be loving. (“If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”) If we are loving toward those who suffer, we will befriend them, share their burdens (“weep with those who weep”), advocate for them, ally ourselves with them. Their concerns will concern us. We don’t have to wait till someone we love dies to receive the blessing of those who mourn. All we need to do is open ourselves to being brokenhearted for the world and its profound hurt. Scary as that is, there’s blessing there. We don’t need to find ways to make people speak ill of us. All we have to do is stop trying to avoid criticism. If we live for love, if we seek justice, if we give attention and power and voice to those who are poor or powerless or broken, it won’t be popular. Systems of domination will resist, and people will speak ill of us. But there’s blessing there.
       Jesus pairs woes with his blessings. These are not punishments. It’s not retribution. It’s just the flip side. It’s clarity about what it’s like when we don’t live in harmony with God’s grace. It’s about the hollowness of rooting our happiness in possessions, comfort and status. Inherent in these woes is a critique of the prosperity gospel or a religion that urges us to seek happiness, comfort, reward and a sense of security. (In fact in the desert following his baptism Jesus had to wrestle with the temptation of power, security, and status, and renounce them.) Of course there’s also a critique of the rich and powerful (Jeremiah: “those who amass wealth unjustly”) and those who decline to enter with compassion into the suffering of the world. His blessings and woes mirror the image in both Jeremiah and the Psalm: those who live in harmony with God’s grace and compassion are rooted in good soil with life-giving streams. Those who invest merely in their own happiness have no roots in God’s life-giving grace, and will eventually shrivel up, lifeless.

Call to Worship

1.
Leader: Creator God, you are a stream of living water;
we are trees planted nearby, rooted in your deep, flowing love.
All: We drink form your blessing; we grow in your grace.
By the gentle presence of Christ with us
we avoid the ways selfishness and cynicism,
even when they are al around us.
We fill ourselves with your Word, and we delight in your ways;
rooted in your Creation, we flourish in your love.
All of our evil perishes in your grace.
It becomes like dry leaves, blown away in the wind of your Spirit.
In closeness with you, we bear the fruit of love
for the healing of the world.
Flow in us, God of life, and once again transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

2.
Leader: Happy are those whose delight is in God’s Word.
All: They are like trees planted by streams of water.
They yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.
We come to root ourselves in your love, O God.
May we bear the fruit of your Spirit,
the fruit of your love. Amen.

3.
Leader: Creator God, we seek you.
People: Risen Christ, we rely on you.
Holy Spirit, you are lour life and our breath.
We thank you for always being with us.
When we are lonely you comfort us,
when we are poor you enrich us,
when we are lost you guide us.
You are always with us.
We worship you in gratitude, with open hearts.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of love, we come with fears and desires, habits and attachments, and all our compulsive agendas. Give us peace to release them all, to seek only your love, and to give only your love. Bless us with your grace, that our lives may be shaped by the love that bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things, in the name of Christ. Amen.

2.
Gracious God, we seek to be happy, but we only find deep joy in you. We strive to be strong, yet our strength is only in you. We desire the riches of this world, but only your grace is truly what we need. Open us to your Word now; help us to surrender everything but our love for you, our trust in you, and our willingness to receive your grace. We pray in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

3.
God of grace, the world tells us to seek power, possessions, esteem and security. But you alone are our power and our security. Your love alone is the esteem we need. Help us to renounce the goods of the world and turn to you again to receive your grace. Be our hope in despair, our consolation in sorrow, our riches in need, and our power to love as Jesus loved. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

1.
God of infinite grace,
we are trees planted by streams of your love.
Let the deep roots of our souls,
the invisible root hairs of our prayer,
sink deep in your grace,
and draw up your blessing,
unseen, into our hearts
and our community.

2.
Beloved, we thank you:
out of poverty, abundance.
We open to you:
out of hunger, fullness.
We trust you:
out of weeping, laughing.
May your grace well up in us,
out of our dying, your rising.

Prayer of Confession

1.
Gracious God,
we confess our sin to you,
for we have denied your light in us;
we have betrayed your Holy Spirit in us.
We have sought happiness and security
instead of faithfulness and trust.
For those sins which weigh upon us,
and those we do not even know
we ask your forgiveness.
Heal our hearts, renew your Spirit within us,
and restore in us the image of Christ,
that by your grace
we may be light for the world. Amen.

2.
Loving God, we confess the poverty of our spirits.
We lift up to you the hunger of our souls,
and our broken hearts. We need you.
Turn us away from the riches of this world,
to receive the riches of your grace.
Forgive our sin, heal our hearts,
renew our hope; create us anew.

Readings

1.
     Person 1: Jesus, help me. I’m trying to get ahead, but I’m falling behind. I’m too weak and inadequate. I don’t know what’s worse: the worry or the shame.
Jesus: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Realm of God.
     Person 2: I’m missing something. I feel a deep longing that is never satisfied.
Jesus: Blessed are you who are hungry, for you will be filled.
     Person 3: I’m trying to be happy, but my heart is broken.
Jesus: Blessed are you who are mourning, for one day you will laugh.
     Person 4: People don’t take me seriously.
Jesus: Blessed are you when people exclude you: this is how they treat the prophets.
     Person 1: I see people who are powerful and successful and glamorous, and I am jealous.
Jesus: Woe to those of whom everyone speaks well: this his how people treat the false prophets.
     Person 2: Jesus, I feel empty.
Jesus: Only an empty vessel is ready to be filled.
     Person 3: I feel powerless.
Jesus: The power is not ours, but God’s.
     Person 4: I want to be deeply alive.
Jesus: Yes. First you have to die. Then, miracles.

2.
Adapted from 1 Corinthians 1.23-31

We give thanks to God because of the grace God has given us in Christ Jesus. Not many of us are wise by human standards, not many are powerful, or of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to teach the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to save the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are. God alone is the source of our life in Christ, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. Therefore we proclaim Christ crucified and raised, a stumbling block to those who seek signs, and foolishness to those who want proof. But to us who are being saved, this is the power of God. Alleluia!

Response / Creed / Affirmation

1.
     We love and you trust you, God, for you bring light out of darkness, Creation out of chaos, life out of death.
     We love you and trust you, Jesus, for you embody the grace of God: you brought healing out of sickness and food out of need. You gave hope and dignity to those who had none. Though you were rejected you brought love to the unloving. You were crucified, but God raised you from the dead.
     We love you and trust you, Holy Spirit, for our own spirits are poor without you. You bring consolation to our sorrow and power to our weakness. By your grace you raise us up out of our dying, and give us the gift of eternal life. Holy One, we give ourselves to you, that we may live in trust and joy, and the love of Christ, for the sake of the healing of the world, in your name. Amen.

2.
     We affirm our trust in you, God: though the world clamors for our allegiance you are our only source of identity, belonging and security. You offer us consolation in our sorrows, nourishment for our hunger, and healing for our brokenness.
     We affirm our trust in you, Christ, for though the world tells us to seek power, prestige and possessions, you show us the power of love, and radical trust in God. In your dying and rising you reveal the grace that God offers us, and lead us to surrender our lives in love, and to die and rise with you.
     We affirm our trust in you, Holy Spirit, for by your power in us we stand against the world’s greed and divisions, its materialism and prejudice, its reliance on force and violence. Because we trust you, by your grace we renounce the ways of selfishness and fear, and devote ourselves to courageous love, deep generosity, and the struggle for justice, in the name and the spirit and the company of Christ.

Eucharistic Prayer

God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your heart.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good and beautiful to give God our praise. God of grace we thank you.
Out of the “No” of all nothing you brought the “Yes” of Creation.
Out of our nobodiness you have made us Somebody.
Out of our oppression you have set us free,
with all your Beloved.
In our mourning you have comforted us.
In our hunger you feed us, and we gather at your table
with all whom you have raised up, singing your praise:
     (Sanctus)

Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ,
who brought forth healing amid sickness, bread amid hunger,
community amid brokenness, hope amid despair.
Without worldly power or wealth he trusted utterly in your grace,
and fearlessly proclaimed your love.
Though he was excluded, reviled and rejected,
he offered only love.
     (The Blessing and Covenant)*

As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.
Therefore, remembering these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
     (Memorial Acclamation)

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
raised from the dead and reliant upon your grace alone.
Send us to the world,
to its poverty and hunger, its sorrow and hatred,
to sow your love, in the name of Christ,
for the healing of the world.
     (Amen.)
__________________

* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]

On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.

Prayer Dedication / Sending / after Communion

1.
God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. In our hunger you have fed us. In our brokenness you have joined us, and made us one. Into our empty hands you have placed the riches of your grace. Send us now, grateful and trusting, to share that grace with all who are poor and hungry, mourning and rejected, in the name and the love and the companionship of Jesus. Amen.

2.
God of grace, you have raised us up from death to life. When we are weak you are strong. Give us deep trust in your grace, and send us out as hollow, fragile vessels of your inextinguishable grace; to be light in the darkness and healing in the hurt, to be among the poor and powerless with hope and courage; to love at all costs, knowing our life is in you alone. We pray, as we go, in the name and the company of Christ. Amen.

3.
.God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us /
that mystery that you give yourself to us.
By your Spirit may we be stewards of your blessing. May we be trees planted by streams of your grace, faithfully bearing the fruit of your love. Send us to the poor, the mourning, and those hungry for justice. May we find our happiness in your grace alone, accompanied by Christ and empowered by your Holy Spirit, for the sake of the wholeness of the world. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)

Blessed (Original tune. Music also includes Eucharistic prayer responses)

Dear God, receive me anew, mourning and poor in my soul,
hungry for what makes me whole.
Bless me by making me simple like you.
Blessed are the ones who have nothing but God,
for God and God alone shall fill their lives.

Mercy please grant me anew. Make my heart pure by your grace,
humble, that I may see your face.
Bless me by making me gentle like you.
Blessed are the ones who have nothing but God,
for God and God alone shall fill their lives.

Courage please give me anew, peace in the world to make,
and to suffer for your Gospel’s sake.
Bless me by making me faithful to you.
Blessed are the ones who have nothing but God,
for God and God alone shall fill their lives.


By your grace (Tune: What Wondrous Love Is This)

What wondrous love is this O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
That you so freely give the bread by which we live,
that you revive our soul, by your Word, by your Word,
and by your life in us make us whole.

Our lives we give to you, by your grace, by your grace,
our lives we give to you, by your grace.
Lord, use the gifts we give to help your children live
that all may come and feast by your grace, by your grace,
the greatest and the least, by your grace.


Return, My Soul (Tune: Finlandia)

Return, my soul, from all your hungry wandering,your fearful search for comfort and control.Let go my grasp of things apart from God,for God alone can heal and hold my soul.Return to God, for God alone will love me,and give me life, and bless and make me whole.

Return, my soul, from all the things that dull me,that soothe my sense, but leave my sin in place.My broken heart, return from tricks and bargains;turn to the One who meets me face to face.Return to God. Each moment turn again;
receive unending love and life and grace.

I turn, O God, to you who love with patience.You walk beside me, though I cannot see.You are my life in dry and weary deserts,my spring of life that flows eternally.I turn to you, from false desire and grasping,and letting go, I find that you hold me.


We Lift Our Spirits Up (Tune: SURSUM CORDA, Alfred Norton Smith,
or Abide with Me, or Spirit of God, Descend Upon my Heart)

We lift our spirits up to you, O God,
O Love, our morning sun, our living breath.
You are our first and final dwelling, God:
receive our prayers, receive our life and death.

Our grateful thanks we give you for your care
that bears us through the challenges we face,
for nothing we desire can compare
with your compassion and your healing grace.

O God, we open wide our longing soul:
breathe into us your mercy and delight.
We give to you all that we would control,
make us pure vessels of your love and light.

February 9, 2025

Lectionary Texts

Isaiah 6.1-8 — God calls Isaiah. “Here am I; send me!”

Psalm 138 — “You answered when I called out in need…” “Though I walk in the midst of trouble you preserve my life…” “Fulfill your purpose for me.”

1 Corinthians 15.1-11 — Christ died, rose, and appeared to the apostles.. Then me, “the least of the apostles.”

Luke 5.1-11 — After a miraculous catch of fish; Jesus calls the first disciples.

Preaching thoughts

Isaiah
       We hear three stories today about God’s call, and how we typically feel unworthy. Isiah cries out Isaiah cries, “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips.” Ponder the symbolic, evocative, freaky image of the seraph touching a live coal to Isaiah’s mouth. Isaiah is cleansed, purified. But it’s got to hurt. God’s refining fire is never destructive, only creative—but that’s not to say it sin’t painful. The flame of God’s grace burns away your feelings of inadequacy. God knows what they’re doing when they call you. Your inadequacy is not an issue, and won’t be, ever. Ever. You’ve been sealed. The wound of your shame has been cauterized.
       “Here am I. Send me!” This is the prayer of faith: not “God here’s what I want you to do for me…” but “God, what can I do for you? Here am I. Send me.”

Psalm
       “Before the gods I sing your praise” might give pause to the literalists, but relax. There aren’t other gods. But there are plenty of idols. The god of success, of being right, of winning, the god of White Supremacy…. In the face of all those false gods, I honor the real one. One way the real God is different is that God honors the lowly (v.6); all the other idols are about dominating the lowly, eliminating the losers. Those gods are accessible only to those who have already attained insider status. But God is with and for everyone, including the outsiders, those who are “not right,” even the inadequate. Even you.
       Another difference is that all our idols serve themselves. The god of Winning makes winning look good and losing look bad. But God. The Loving One, is not here for God’s sake but for ours. God attends to us, knows us, cares about us. “On the day I called, you answered me.” God listens.
       But God’s care for us is not for ourselves in isolation (that would be the god of selfishness); it’s for us as part of God’s loving world. “God will fulfill God’s purpose for me” (v.8). My well-being is embedded in the world’s well-being. My peace is inherent in my call.

1 Corinthians
       
Paul recites an ancient creed about Christ’s death and resurrection and appearance to the apostles. Then Paul adds Christ’s appearance to Paul himself, “the least of the apostles.” But, he says, “by the grace of God I am what I am.” Paul echoes Isiah’s concern about being unworthy: it’s not by his own effort, goodness or deserving that Paul is able to count himself among the apostles, but by God’s grace. You can see Paul trying to juggle his frequent need to justify himself with his trust in God’s grace: “I worked harder than anybody—well, but, yeah, really it was not me, but God in me. Got it?”

Luke
       This is several kinds of stories all at once: a miracle story, a story about call, an experience of death and resurrection. The call to the disciples comes out of Jesus fulfilling his call, bringing God’s realm of grace to people. The call comes gradually, as step by step Peter and the disciples are moved into greater levels of trust, gratitude and service. But each step entails mystery, uncertainty, resistance, and eventually letting go.
       Jesus sees the boats and climbs in—climbs into our lives. We’re in the same boat now! The future disciple’s call begins in a simple task: to let Jesus use their boat to preach. Are you willing to be used by grace, even for a simple task? In what ways does God use the ordinary things of your life, even your job, to spread grace? I imagine Peter and the others silently working the oars to keep the boat positioned for Jesus to speak to the people. How do you intentionally keep your life “pointed toward Jesus, and well aligned so Jesus’ message comes through your living?
       Jesus bids us to go out “into the deep.” Imagine what they might mean: to reflect deeply… to be open to mystery, and the depths of grace just beyond our seeing… to explore the deeper layers of meaning in what we experience… to live deeply…. In what ways is Jesus calling you to go out into the deep?
       “We fished all night.” Notice how Jesus always heads right for where it hurts. Jesus leads us toward our fears and failures, and invites us to see them anew. What has been our trauma lingering in our unconscious (the deep) Jesus brings up into to our consciousness and transforms it ; he empowers us to re-write the story. The very place of our failure becomes a place of grace.
       “But if you say so…” Jesus invites them to fish where they think they’ve exhausted all possibilities.For Jesus there is always another “And yet…” How do you listen for Jesus’ invitation to discover possibilities you didn’t see before?
       They catch a miraculous number of fish. Can you trust that there is an overabundance of grace right beneath, you, that you can’t see but is there, waiting for you? What would lead you to trust that?
      The nets began to break and the boats to sink. Sometimes success can capsize us. Sometimes the net of our job can hardly bear the weight of all we’re trying to do. Sometimes—not only when we’re failing but also when we’re succeeding—we need to call on others, and rely on community.
       “I am sinful”… “Be not afraid.” This is a moment of death-and-resurrection for Peter. Peter is transported beyond the realm of what he can accomplish—the catch of fish is purely given—and he becomes aware of his inadequacy and undeserving, and his sin. And in that very place, that very moment, Jesus accepts him, reassures him, and calls him. An old, doubting, self-centered Peter dies, and a new disciple Peter is raised up. God’s call isn’t just a job assignment: it’s a death-and-resurrection experience, a transformation of who we are—yes, our broken, unworthy, inadequate selves—into exactly what God needs: still ourselves, still fisherfolk, but now in the service of God.
       I’m struck by how richly this story reflects on the life of faith, its inner movements, and the transformations we undergo:
       The crowd presses in: we are seeking… we experience hunger…
       He saw two boa: we are sought.. we experience an alternative vision – more than one way…

       He got into a boat: we are visited …. we experience presence…

       He asked Peter to put out: we are invited, we experience dislocation…

       He taught the crowds: we are enlightened… we experience opening…

       He said “Put out into the deep”: we are led… we experience mystery…

       “We fished all night”: we are defeated… we experience resistance…

       “But if you say so”: we are willing… we experience something new…

       They caught so many: we are blessed … we experience overabundance…

       The nets were threatened: we are challenged… we experience our limits…

       They signaled their partners: we are accompanied we experience community, shared risk…

       “I am sinful!”: we are revealed… we experience crisis, self-confrontation, a death…

       “Do not be afraid”: we are assured… we experience grace
       “You will fish for people”: we are transformed… we surrender old consciousness…

       They left it all & followed: we are sent… we enter into a new way of being, a resurrection…

Call to Worship

1. [Isaiah 6.1-8]
Leader: I saw God sitting on a throne, high and lofty.
Seraphs were in attendance, and they called to one another:
All: “Holy, holy, holy is God Omnipotent;
the whole earth is full of God’s glory.”
I said, “Woe is me, for I am a person of unclean lips
and I live among people of unclean lips,
yet my eyes have seen the Holy One, Almighty God.”
One of the seraphs flew to me holding a live coal from the altar
in a pair of tongs, touched my mouth with it and said,
“Now that this has touched your lips,
your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.”
Then I heard the voice of the Holy One saying,
“Who shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said,
“Here am I; send me!”

2.
Leader: God of glory, you have done wonders in our midst.
All:We are in awe.
You call us to serve you.
Are we worthy?
You do not call those who are prepared;
you prepare those who are called.
We thank you, God, as we worship you.
Touch us with the fire of your love,
that we may faithfully serve you as prophets,
as bearers of your love, as fishers of people.

3.
Leader: We are just ordinary people,
like fishers mending their nets.
All: But Jesus has come and climbed into our lives
and proclaimed good news among us.
Jesus has invited us out into the deep.
We worship amid mystery.
Unseen shoals of blessing shimmer beneath us.
By God’s grace we have received a miraculous catch of grace.
Our blessings are not because we’re worthy,
but because we’re forgiven.
Jesus calls us to follow.
Help us, Spirit, to let go of everything we cling to;
to worship in humility, gratitude and trust;
and to follow and serve humbly with love. Amen.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of love, Jesus entered the lives of the fishers, spoke grace to them, and called them to follow him. Come into our lives now, speak your Word to us, and stir up your spirit in us to follow your call. Amen.

2.
God of grace, you come to us in holiness and splendor, and grant us grace that we have not earned. You give us your deep compassion, and we feel unworthy. Jesus calls us to work by his side, and we know we are not good enough. But you touch us with the flame of your love, and call us, and remind us that we are your Beloved. Speak to us now, God, remind us again, and call us to your work, in the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

3.
Gracious God, Jesus stood in the fishermen’s boat and taught the people. Come and stand among us now and speak to us. As Jesus called his disciples, you call us to give our lives to you. Open our hearts and minds, we may hear with joy and follow with courage. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)
1.
God of abundance,
we sail on your deep unknown.
We let down our nets of prayer
into the depths of your mystery
and we haul up your grace.
In the silence, we wait.

2.
Jesus, you climb into the boat of our lives
and teach us your word.
You invite us out into the depths.
Out of the ordinariness, even the despair of our lives,
you bring beautiful abundance.
Our unworthiness haunts us.
But you call us. You promise fruitfulness.
You throw the net of your love
into the dark depths of our hearts
and bring forth a shimmering harvest
of grace and possibility.
To our doubt, Beloved, speak.

Response / Creed / Affirmation

     We give our hearts to God, the Holy of Holies, Creator of all things that are and that are to come, the source of our life and all love, who sets us free and births us into new lives, whose miracles are just out of our sight, but near.
     We follow Jesus, the Christ of God, the embodiment of God’s love. He taught and healed the people, he loved them and called them, beyond what they knew they could do. He made of them a gifted community, including the outcast and empowering the lowly. He resisted injustice, and for his witness he was crucified. But he was raised from the dead, and lives among us, blessing us and calling us.
     We live by the Holy Spirit, the power of God’s love in us. The Spirit calls us to lives of love and service, of healing and forgiveness, of courage to do justice and to love tenderly, where we discover the deep blessings hidden in our callings. By the grace of the Spirit that sustains and empowers us we die to our fears and desires, and rise with Christ in abundant and beautiful love. Alleluia!

Eucharistic Prayer

God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good and beautiful to give God our praise.

We thank you, God, for this beautiful and amazing world.
Shoals of blessing shimmer just beyond what we see.
When our lives seem bleak or pointless,
you bring to the surface such abundant grace we are astonished.
Our minds can scarcely comprehend it. Our nets are near breaking.
So we fall to our knees, humbled and in awe.
But you lift us up and call us to lives of praise and service.
Therefore with gratitude and wonder we sing your praise:
     (Sanctus)

Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ,
who climbs into the boat of our lives and teaches us,
who directs us into deeper waters,
who multiplies blessing.
He calls us to join him in ministry to the world,
and promises to be with us always.
     (The Blessing and Covenant)*

As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.
Therefore, remembering these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
     (Memorial Acclamation)

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
fishers of people, who behold the bounty of your grace,
and who cast the net of your love far and wide in this world
for the sake of all your Beloved.
     (Amen.)
________________
* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]

On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.

Prayer after Communion

Gracious God, thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have raised up a miracle among us, a gift of nourishment and beauty, a gift of forgiveness and your deep trust in us. Encouraged not by our worthiness but your grace in us, we follow you, in the power of your Spirit, in ministry to the world. Amen.

Prayer of Dedication / Sending

1.
Gracious God, we give you our lives, symbolized in these gifts. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. You call us, and make our daily lives vessels for your grace. We surrender our plans and our possessions, to follow Christ in all we do. Send us out to follow Jesus, to spread the net of your love over all the earth, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.

2.
God of love, Jesus has called us to join him as fishers of people: to include all in the wide net of your love. Send us with your love, with courage that overcomes our doubt, grace that heals our shame, and faith that opens our eyes to your miracles, so that we may love freely and deeply, in the name and the company of Jesus. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)

Breath of God (Tune: “Londonderry Air” – O, Danny Boy)

O Holy One, Creator of the stars of night,
whose dust we are, created with your light,
now breathe your spirit into us and give us life;
give us new hearts that beat with your delight.
Our dust and ashes, Love, we give in faith to you.
Receive our lives, our sin, our wounds, our death;
and raise us up with Christ from death to life by grace.
God, may we be your love and you our living breath.

Breathe into us the breath of your compassion, God,
the breath to sing your praise in all we do,
the breath to run the race of justice, long and far.
Breathe, holy breath: empower and renew.
O be the grace that fills our lungs, reviving us;
O be the wind on which our hearts can soar;
O be our life, our beauty and our living breath.
O Spirit, come breathe in us now and evermore.

Calling Me      (Original tune)

Dear God, Creator eternally, you call everything to be.
How are you calling me, even now?
Who do you call me to be?
Where is your image in me, calling me?

Jesus, lord of the fishermen, calling your children,
you call to me once again, even now.
What will you lead me to do?
How can I witness to you, calling me, calling me?

Spirit, power of love in me, how do you set me free,
what gifts are you giving me, even now?
I am a vessel for you.
Humbly I listen to you, calling me, calling me.

Drawing Me      (Original tune)

Holy One, Mystery, how will you keep drawing me
nearer to the heart within the heart?
Nearer still, falling in, closer to the heart within,
draw me God. I fall into your love.
Lover, you are calling, you are drawing,
I am falling into you in love.

Deep in me there’s a voice, there’s a hunger, there’s a choice,
seeking something vital that is you.
By your grace drawing me, may I fall eternally
nearer to my center deep in you.
Lover, you are calling, you are drawing,
I am falling into you in love.


God Has a Dream      (Original tune)

God has a dream for us,
that Jesus is revealing,
a world of love, made whole, set free,
a world of justice and healing.

Dream, Jesus dream in us.
May we dream like you.
Dream, Jesus, dream in us.
May your dream come true.

Dream, Jesus in us, we pray,
and may our dreaming be waking.
May your dream be our guide, our way,
to join in the world you are making.

Dream, Jesus dream in us.
May we dream like you.
Dream, Jesus, dream in us.
May your dream come true.

January 19, 2025

Lectionary Texts

Isaiah 62.1-5 — Israel’s vindication. “You shall be called My delight Is in Her. “As a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you.”

Psalm 36 — “How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.”

1 Corinthians 12. 1-11 — Spiritual gifts. “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.”

John 2.1-11 — Jesus turns water wine.

Preaching Thoughts

Isaiah
        These words of adoration, delight and faithfulness are spoken to people returning from exile. God cherishes, blesses, and promises fidelity to people who have been oppressed, abused, devalued or silenced.

1 Corinthians 12. 1-11
       Paul says: the Spirit moves in each of us differently, with different gifts, but there are not separate spirits: there is one Holy Spirit, and it is in us all. Some people take the list here, with other references to spiritual gifts in Paul, as an exhaustive “canonical” list of spiritual gifts. There aren’t a finite number of specific gifts. They are innumerable. A spiritual gift is any way the Spirit works in you for the sake of the community. Sop, yeah, apostleship and interpretation of tongues are spiritual gifts. So are patience, generosity, openness to wonder, cooperativeness and a sense of humor…
       Help your people do more than pick their gifts off some biblical list, but discover how the Spirit moves in them in ways that offer grace. Whatever it is, it’s a gift, and it comes from the Spirit. Seek ways in worship to celebrate people’s gifts. For instance in prayer time invite people to call out spiritual gifts they see in each other, in the community—no names, just gifts.

John
       Faithful love. This scene picks up in Isaiah’s imagery of God’s marriage to us. Life is a wedding celebration: a feast of covenantal love and faithfulness. The steward says to the bridegroom “you have kept the good wine till now.” Jesus is the one who produced the wine, so in a sense, John hints, Jesus is our bridegroom, the one who will be faithful to us in love forever. A hint that all of life is both a wedding and communion with God, a eucharistic feast.
      Abundance. A wedding gift of 180 gallons of very fine wine is a gift of delight, an act of joy, a multiplication of astounding abundance and generosity.
       Transformation. The story suggests Jesus’ power to transform, the splendor to which Jesus calls us, the way grace makes something wonderful of the ordinary stuff of life.
     Purification. The jars were used for the Jewish rites of purification, but Jesus has repurposed them, as if we do not need to be purified (“You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you, [15.3])— we need to celebrate! Our problem is not that we’re evil sinners, but that we don’t trust God’s glory in us enough to let ourselves be made signs of God’a grace. Jesus shifts the work of faith from the fiction of being “good enough” to the gospel of being loved.
      Sign. “This was the first of his signs; and his disciples believed in him.” John says the gospel is written “so that you may believe” (20.31). By “believe” John doesn’t mean “think,” as in “I believe Jesus is the Son of God.” John means to entrust ourselves. As in “I’m crossing this rickety bridge because I believe in it.” John begins his narrative about Jesus with the invitation: “come and see.” In John the “signs” are not showy proofs of Jesus’ divinity, but events John can point to that help us see who Jesus is and entrust ourselves to him. The miracle of God’s loving faithfulness, the abundance of God’s glory, God’s power to transform us, God’s delighted acceptance of us regardless of how “clean” we feel—all these are signs of who God is, and signs that we can entrust ourselves to God.

Call to Worship

1.
Leader: Beloved, you who take us in marriage,
All: we give ourselves to you.
Water of life, flowing in our need,
we receive your abundance.
Spirit of Beauty, wine of wonder,
we drink of your grace.
God, you turn the water of our lives into the wine of your delight.
We worship you with gratitude and awe.

2.
Leader: God of miracles, we praise you.
You have turned water into wine!
All: The ordinary into the beautiful.
Scarcity into abundance.
Despair into confidence.
And you turn us once again into your people:
No one into Someone.
Scattered pieces into one Body.
Ordinary lives changed into worship. Alleluia!

3. (Adapted from Ps. 36.5-10)
Leader: O God, your love reaches to the ends of the universe.
All: Your grace that saves all living things is as solid as a mighty mountain.
We take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
We feast on the abundance of your house; we drink from the river of your delights.
With you is the fountain of life. In your light, we see light.
We open our hearts to your love now and always,
your grace to all who will receive it!

4.
Leader: O Crucified and Risen Christ, you eat with the poor,
All: and you provide the finest wine.
You suffer with the brokenhearted,
and you sing songs of praise.
You go toward the cross
and yet you dance with joy.
Amidst the world’s injustice you go about healing,
And amidst the world’s sorrow you go about rejoicing.
Grant us your Spirit, that in this world of suffering and injustice
we may be people of joy and healing,
O Christ, in you we are one with all who suffer,
and one with you who live and reign
with the Creator and the Spirit forever. Amen.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of might and miracle, Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding in Cana. All of life is the feast of your marriage to us. Every moment you perform your miracles, turning the water of our lives into the wine of your grace. Open our hearts to receive your blessings, to drink deeply of your love, and to enjoy the goodness of your gifts. Amen.2.Creator God, we confess that too much we live by our own wits and wants, and not by the leading of your Spirit. Yet your Spirit is within us. Speak to us now; revive your Spirit in us, and by it lead us in lives of faithfulness, love and justice, in the name of Christ. Amen.

3.
Gracious God, as Jesus turned the water into wine, so you have made our lives beautiful and blessed. Jesus is with us in our celebration now, turning the water of our lives into the wine of your praise. In our worship, transform us and make us new in the image of Christ, that we may be your glory for all the world. Open our hearts and minds, that as the scriptures are read and your good news proclaimed we may hear with joy what you are saying to us today. Amen.

Listening prayer

1.
Faithful Jesus,
we are clay jars, ready for you.
Turn the water of our prayer
into the wine of your presence.

2.
Gracious God,
the waters of purification
have been changed
into the wine of celebration.
You have married us in delight.
Give us grace to accept your love.
Give us openness
to hear your transforming Word.

Prayer of Confession

1.
Pastor: The grace of God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
Gracious God, in this wide world, we are small, and we do not understand.
We need you.
In this difficult world, we have faltered.
We need you.
In this hurtful world, we have been afraid to receive your grace and your delight,
and we have brought hurt upon ourselves and others.
We need you.
Grant us your grace, transform our hearts,
and restore in us your image,
that we may live fully in the delight you have for us.
We pray in the name of the Crucified and Risen Christ.
…Silent prayer…. The Word of Grace
(By the grace we know in Christ we are assured that all our sins are forgiven entirely, and we are set free to live by the power of the Holy Spirit alone. You are God’s child, God’s Beloved, in whom God finds delight.)

2.
God of miracles,
we offer to you the water of our lives:
all that is ordinary, all that is broken,
all that is not yet as it could be by your grace.
Work your transforming grace in us:
change our water into your wine.
Forgive our sin, heal our hearts,
and give us courage to be signs of your love,
abundant with beauty and delight.
By the grace you show us in Christ,
take who we honestly are,
and turn us into signs of your glory.

3.
Pastor: The grace of God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
God, we confess we have thought ourselves Forsaken,
we have named ourselves Desolate.
“But you shall be named My Delight Is In Her,
and you will be called Married.”
Forgive our distrust. Heal our fear.
    [silent prayer…]
Beloved, the bridegroom has brought out the finest wine
to celebrate: you are made pure;
you are the object of God’s delight.
By the grace we know in Christ, your sins are forgiven.
God’s delight is in you; God has married you forever. Amen.
Amen.

4.
God of love,
we confess we have thought ourselves unworthy
to be vessels of your glory.
We have neglected the gifts of your Spirit in us.
We have displaced your spiritual gifts with our fears and appetites.
Heal our fear and distrust; forgive our unwillingness.
Revive your Spirit in us. Renew the gifts of your Spirit,
that each of us, each in our own way,
may be vessels of your grace,
water of humanity turned into wine of glory.

Response / Creed / Affirmation

1.
      We give our hearts to you, God, Creator of all, who hold all things in your loving hands, you who are the source of love and blessing, healing and joy.
      We give our hearts to Jesus, your Christ, who suffered with the broken hearted and lived as one who was powerless. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, brought good news to the poor and set free those who were oppressed. On the cross he suffered with those who mourn, who struggle, and who die. And in his rising he brings us through death to life, through tribulation to joy, and out of isolation into oneness. He turns our water into wine. He is in the world now, with the poor and suffering, embodying your healing, your justice and your delight.
      We give our hearts to your Holy Spirit, who is in us, uniting all who sorrow and who rejoice, who suffer and who heal. We live as one body, the Body of Christ. We trust in the power of your grace and the covenant of your presence in all things. And we devote ourselves to lives of joy and service for the sake of the healing of the world, in the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

2.
     We love and trust God, Creator of all that is and is to come, who fashions all Creation as One, with its many varied parts, united in the Spirit of Love.
     We love and trust Christ, the Beloved, who loved and healed, taught and fed among a broken humanity, for the sake of the wholeness of all. In brokenness Jesus was crucified, but in wholeness God raised Christ from the dead, whose risen body we are now part of, whole and united with all humanity, all Creation.
     We love and trust the Holy Spirit, who breathes in each of us, giving us all differing gifts, and giving us in love to each other, for the well being of all. By the Spirit’s grace the water of our lives is turned into the wine of worship and service. Joined by the one Spirit as the Body of Christ, we rejoice in God’s wedding to the world, and give ourselves to love, joy and faithfulness, for the sake of the wholeness of all Creation, in the name of Christ. Amen.

3.
We give thanks for the grace of God.
At times we have felt forsaken and called ourselves desolate.
     But we trust that God delights in us
     and has married us in faithful love forever.
At times we have thought ourselves unworthy,
unremarkable, in need of purification.
     But God has turned the water of our lives into fine wine,
     and the clay jars of our lives have become vessels of God’s glory.
At times we have thought of others as gifted but not ourselves.
     But God has given each of us gifts of the Spirit.
God, by your grace, help us to believe—to entrust ourselves to you.
     Help us to trust your faithful love,
     your transforming grace, your empowering Spirit.
     We are vessels of your grace. Alleluia!

Eucharistic Prayer

God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good and beautiful to give God our praise.

Beautiful Creator,
you fashion this universe with loveliness and grace,
with overflowing abundance.
The jars of Creation brim with your joy.
You create us as your children, and promise your love.
You have married us, and your Covenant is eternal.
You know what traps us, and you set us free.
You know what we need, and your provide.
When we are anxious, you change the water of our fear
into the wine of gratitude.
We gather at this table, at the feast of your wedding to the world,
and with all Creation sing your praise:

            [Sanctus, spoken or sung:]
        Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and might,
        heaven and earth are full of your glory.
        Hosanna in the highest.
        Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
        Hosanna in the highest.
               [or alternate version]

Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ.
He performed miracles of joy, abundance, and healing.
He invited all to the table of your love,
and set it with generosity, so that the grace would never run out.
He was crucified, but death could not hold him;
life overflowed, and you raised him from the dead—
for your vows to be with us are unbreakable, even by death.

     (The Blessing and Covenant) *

As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.
Therefore, remembering these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

             [Memorial Acclamation, spoken or sung:]
        Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
                     —or—
        Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restores our life.
        Christ will come again in glory.
             [or alternative]

Pour out your holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
one in your Spirit, with many parts, many gifts,
many languages, many traditions —
one in your love, and one in ministry
for the sake of the wholeness of Creation,
in the name of Christ.

     [Spoken or sung]
Amen.

____________
* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]

On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.

Prayer of Dedication / Sending / after Communion

1.
God of wonder, you have turned the water of this life into the wine of your presence. You have given us the gifts of your Spirit, different in each of us but all alike in your love and grace. Send us into the world as signs of your love, faithfulness, and delight, for the sake of the mending of the world, in the name and the company of Jesus. Amen.

2.
Gracious God, we give you our gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace, and use them according to your will. Send us into the world with the courage to be gentle when others are mean, to care for the poor and oppressed, and to be merciful as you are merciful. Grant that by your Spirit we may do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you all our days. Amen.

3.
God of love, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have changed the water of our daily bread into the wine of your presence. You have re-birthed us as the risen Body of Christ. Send us out into the world, redolent with your loveliness, radiant with your light, generous with your love, in the communion and the power of the Holy Spirit and the joy of Christ. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view or hear an audio clip on the Music page)

Vine and Branches (Original tune)

You are the vine and we are your branches,
one with your life and rooted in your heart.
Flowing with grace, with life you fill us,
strengthened that nothing can break us apart.

You are the vine and we are your branches.
Deep in our hearts your life is flowing through.
Rooted in you, we grow and flourish.
You live within us, and we live in you.

You are the vine and we are your branches.
One common blood flows though all of our veins.
We all are part of one another.
We all are branches of one living vine.

You are the vine and we are your branches,
flowing with power greater than our own,
bearing your fruit to all Creation,
till all the seeds of your love have been sown.

Alleluia.

We Feast On Your Love     (Original song)

Chorus: We drink from your presence.
We feast on your love.
This is the banquet we’ve been dreaming of. (Repeat.)

You gather us; none is unworthy;
and no one is “greatest” or “least.”
You multiply what we offer,
so multitudes may feast. — Chorus

We hunger and thirst for your spirit,
we open ourselves to your grace.
In flows the mercy you offer
in every time and place. — Chorus

We taste the sweet wine made from water,
our bread is your body you give.
“Drink of the water I give you,
so you may truly live.”

You are the Nerve (Tune: Finlandia)

O God, your Christ is risen in your people.
On earth Christ has no body now but ours.
We are the flesh and blood of your compassion:
moved by your Spirit, with its loving powers.
God be our heart, and we will be your Body,
serving in love in all our days and hours.

We are your feet, that go with joy to others
to share your love, the gospel we confess.
We are your eyes that see what is and may be,
that see each person’s need and loveliness.
We are your hands, that work with strength for justice,
your hands that shelter, heal and feed and bless.

Love, move in me, and guide me by your Spirit,
even when I don’t see or understand.
My life is yours, to be your living Body,
that I may love and serve at your command.
This is my life, my purpose and my power:
you are the nerve, and I your willing hand.



Your Hands and Your Face (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)

God of all holiness, baptized in you,
we are your Body: your presence shines through.
We, poor in spirit, are blessed with your own.
May our lives shine forth with your grace alone

We who with Jesus do mourn with the world
shall see your banners of deep joy unfurled.
We who are hungry for love freely shared
feast at the banquet that you have prepared

May we be merciful and pure in heart,
your gentle peacemakers, doing our part.
Dying and rising, we do not fear loss,
sealed with your Spirit and marked with your cross.

Blest and beloved and baptized to serve,
we are your Body and you are our nerve.
Not by our effort, but by your pure grace,
may we be your hands and your human face.

January 12,2025

Lectionary Texts

Isaiah 43.1-7 — “I have redeemed you. When you go through the waters they will not overwhelm you: for I love you and I will be with you.”

Psalm 29 — “the voice of the Lord,” meaning God’s presence, God’s will or desire, and God’s power, evident in all Creation.

In Acts 8. 14-17 the church learns that even Samaritans are following Jesus. They send Peter and John, who pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit.

In Luke 3.15-22 Jesus is baptized. God says, “You are my Son, my beloved. With you I am well pleased.”

Preaching Thoughts

Isaiah
       God never promises life will go well for us, but that God will be with us. I think the single most damaging misconception we have about God is that God will protect us from suffering. Nope. When we suffer it’s not because God is abandoning us, or punishing us, or teaching us a lesson. It’s because crap happens. But whatever the suffering, God will be with us no matter what.

Baptism
       Contrary to popular belief, baptism is not a sign of a believer’s faithfulness, but a sign of God’s. (John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance, but Christian baptism is a recognition of the Holy Spirit in us whether we repent nor not!) We are immersed in God’s grace, “born again” not of our own believing but of God’s grace. We don’t “get our children”— or ourselves— baptized. Baptism isn’t something we do at all, but something God does. The Baptismal service is our way of beholding what God has done and is doing in the person baptized—and in the community, for we are charged to treat the person as God’s beloved so they can accept it and integrate it for themselves.
       Like being married, we are only baptized once, and don’t need to “remarry,” but we do need to renew our vows all the time. Today is a great day to offer a Baptismal Renewal. It’s a great way to start the new year. Here’s a Service of Baptismal Renewal. And here are some further thoughts about the meaning of baptism. Some salient points:
• Baptism is a symbol of death and rebirth. God births us (“born of water and the Spirit, Jn. 3.5) and re-creates us as God’s Beloved, sets us free, and empowers us to live by God’s Spirit. As with the waters of chaos at Creation, God’s water breaks and God gives us new birth as people of the Spirit (1 Pet. 1.3-5). We are born again (always) as beloved children of God.
• God joyfully claims us as God’s Own: “You are my child, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt. 3.17). God doesn’t just tolerate us: God is actually delighted with us!
• God washes us clean of our past, our shame and our fear. God promises healing and blessing. The bath” of baptism isn’t just the washing away of the guilt for the bad stuff we do; it’s also washing away our fear that we’re not good enough. “With you I am well pleased!”
• The Spirit flows through us, makes us alive, and nourishes us like water in our bodies or a plant.
• We are immersed in Christ, plunged into the life of Christ. We are one with Christ; Christ’s life flows through us.
• God invites us to join Jesus in washing people’s feet.
• God shares our tears.
• The trick to being re-born is that first we have to die. We drown in Christ, losing our individual, self-made, self-enclosed “self,” and we are raised to new life as part of Christ’s body (Rom. 6.4; Col. 2.12).
• We surrender our ego’s insistence on being an individual and “die” into unity with the Holy One. We are all part of one life, one heart, one body.
• God goes with us through the Red sea, setting us free from what oppresses us and charging us to help God set others free.
• God invites us to entrust ourselves to God: to let ourselves float in the River of God, trusting that God bears us, letting God take us where God will.
• God anoints us as people who love not by the world’s expectations but by the Spirit.
• Like the water in a river (and its power), the Holy Spirit is the power in us to love boldly, to offer mercy and to do justice.
• We baptize infants because it’s not a symbol of our faith, but God’s “prevenient” action. Baptism is God’s “I do.” Confirmation is our response.

The ritual act of Baptism itself doesn’t make any of this happen like some magic trick; it’s already happening. The sacrament symbolizes all this in a way we can experience it and let it shape our living

Luke
       He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Christian baptism is different from John’s. It’s not about repentance, but about opening ourselves to the presence and power of God’s Spirit in us.
       The unquenchable fire. Relax, it’s not the imagined fires of hell. It’s the fire that burns away the chaff, that removes what we don’t need. It’s cleansing, not punishing.
       John shut up in prison. A little reality check here. We live in a world wracked by evil, injustice, oppression and fear. Baptism isn’t all about sweet babies in white gowns, it’s about being anointed to the dangerous task of bearing witness to the Empire of Grace, which contradicts and threatens every other empire—and they will fight back. Baptism is a promise that God will be with us when we confront evil and injustice, even at great cost.
       The voice from heaven at Jesus’ baptism alludes to two Old testament scriptures: “This is my son” sounds like Psalm 2, which people considered to be about the Messiah. The phrase “with you I am well pleased” sounds like Isaiah 42.1, in one of Isaiah’s songs about a suffering servant. The combination of the two allusions suggests that Jesus is the anointed one of God—though not a conquering warrior, but a suffering reconciler.

A frequently asked question: If John performed a baptism of repentance and the forgiveness of sin, why was Jesus baptized? He didn’t sin, did he? Three responses.
       A. The idea that Jesus was sinless is related to the image of him as a sacrificial lamb, without blemish. In real life, I bet he did sin. He was a human being. Sin is way too pernicious for even Jesus to avoid. It’s human nature. It’s the function of the ego. We don’t need Jesus to be perfect to believe God lived fully in him, and that he sets us free from our sin. In fact I think Jesus has more authority in our struggle against sin precisely because he did sin, and had to learn to be free even from his own sin.
       B. To repent is to turn to God. We have to do this every moment of the day. Whenever our love, desire, gratitude or attention is focused on anything other than God, it’s sin. Even Jesus had to repent, to continually return to God. His authority as a savior is not in his never having needed forgiveness, but in his always letting go and turning to God, always asking for forgiveness, and always trusting it.
      C. John’s baptism was for forgiveness of sin; but baptism in Christ is a different thing. In receiving baptism Jesus changed it from merely repenting to being re-created, born of God and filled with the Spirit. So sometimes the apostles encountered people who knew of John’s baptism, but not baptism “in the Holy Spirit”—as in Acts 18.25 and 19.1-7. Jesus’s baptism wasn’t primarily about repentance: it was about being open to being born again in the Spirit. That’s the baptism we celebrate. In Jesus’ baptism, baptism itself was reborn: re-created as something new, something which we could share with him.

Call to Worship

1.
Leader: God of majesty and might, God of cloud and ocean:
All: you rain down blessing upon us.
Fountain of Life, Womb of the World,
you birth us in love and glory.
Christ our sibling, living Cup of Salvation::
you heal us, you wash us clean, you quench the thirst of our souls.
Holy Spirit,River of Grace, tears of God’s Joy and Sorrow:
you flow in our veins, you pour out into the world—
new life for all Creation! Alleluia!

2.       (Adapted from Psalm 29)
Leader: Rejoice, O powers of the universe,
rejoice in the glory and strength of God.
All: God’s voice thunders over the mighty waters,
wonderful and majestic.
God’s power splinters cedars;
God’s presence flashes like fire
and shakes whole nations.
And over the flood is God, ruling forever.
God, bless us with your Spirit and your peace.

3.
Leader: Creator God, in the beginning your Spirit brooded over the waters
and you brought forth light.
All: Your Spirit gives us birth. Your light shines within us.
Brother Christ, you submitted to baptism in the Jordan River;
you immersed yourself in our life.
Your presence warms us. We rejoice in your grace.
Holy Spirit, your breath gives us life; your flame burns with compassion within us.
Alleluia! We immerse ourselves in your grace,
that we may always shine with the light of your love. Alleluia!

4.
Leader: Creator God, the river of your grace flows about us.
All: We enter into its flow, deep in wonder, swimming in your grace.
Rabbi Jesus, you were baptized by John in the Jordan.
We come with you to be washed in the grace of God,
to be immersed in the glory of the Beloved.
Holy Spirit, you came to Jesus at his baptism like a dove.
Come to us, and fill us with the joy of your presence,
the song of your power, the feathers of delight.
Give us wings to do your will, and to be your people.
Alleluia! Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

5.           [Isa. 43.1-4; Lk. 3.22]
Leader: Thus says Yahweh, who created you:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
All: Creator God, we greet you!
“You are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.”
Christ, Love of God, we thank you!
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you”
Holy Spirit, be with us now and always!
Alleluia!
May we be your Beloved, in whom you are well pleased.
Alleluia!

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of love, Jesus came to the Jordan to be baptized by John. With Jesus we come to the water to be immersed in your grace. Receive us, wash us and renew us. Baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire, that we may flow with your grace all our days, in the name of Christ. Amen.

2.
Loving God, Jesus came to the Jordan to be baptized. So we come to your Word, to wade in deep, to be immersed in your grace, to let the Mystery flow around us. We listen for your voice. May we hear your Living Word. Amen.

3.
God of truth, at Jesus’ baptism you spoke words of love and grace. We come now and immerse ourselves in your presence, and sink beneath the surface of your Word. We listen for your voice. Speak to us, and let us hear. Send the dove of your Spirit upon us and let us be changed. We pray in the name of Jesus, and in the power of your Spirit. Amen.

4.
Gracious God, deep river of blessing, as Jesus went into the waters of the Jordan, we come now to be immersed in your Word. You have said we are your beloved children in whom you are well pleased. May the heavens be opened for us; may your Spirit descend upon us. Speak your Good News to us, and transform our hearts, that we may live new lives for your sake and the sake of your Gospel. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

1.
God of love,
the clear waters of your grace swirl around us.
The stream of your love flows from deep springs to the sea,
from here to the ends of the earth,
from ancient generations to those yet to come.
We sink deep in your blessing.
We let your presence wash over us.
Bathe us in the waters of your grace.

2.
God, you said to Jesus “You are my Beloved.”
We immerse ourselves in your Word.
Let your love flow around us,
hold us gently, wash us clean,
and give us joy.
You said, “You are my servant in whom I am delighted.”
Let your Word hold us up and bear us on,
carrying us into the lives to which you call us,
to serve you in love and justice,
in the name and the company of Jesus.

Prayer of Dedication / Sending

We are baptized with Christ, and the Spirit of God is upon us
to bring good news to the poor, recovery of sight to the blind,
and liberty to the oppressed.
The Spirit drives us into the wilderness,
into the world, into the arms of God.
Send us, then, God, in the name and the Spirit and the company of Jesus. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)

Light for the World      (An Epiphany “Theme Song”)
A dialogue between cantor and congregation. May be used throughout the Epiphany season. one or two verses per week. The cantor’s words reflect lectionary texts; the congregation’s refrain is the same throughout.

Lyrics for Baptism of Jesus:

Congregation, Refrain:
Love, may we live by your light.
Let us be light for the world.

Cantor, Verses:
3. “You are my servant in whom I delight, a light unto the nations.”
Shine for the ones who dwell in the dark, with comfort and justice.

4. God said, “Let light shine out of the dark,”
and shines with that glory in Jesus.
And when we turn our faces to Christ, God shines in our own heart.

             See all songs with Baptism tag, especially these:

God, We Rise to Serve You       
           (Tune: Sing We Now of Christmas / Now the Green Blade Rises]

God, we rise to serve you, baptized in your love
as your Holy Spirit hovers like a dove.
We, your Beloved, whom you bless with grace,
offer you our gifts with love and joy and peace.

God, your Spirit in us, dove with wings unfurled,
gives us pow’r to bring forth justice to the world.
Baptized in Christ, we serve with mercy’s grace,
bringing to the world your love and joy and peace.


Immersed in Blessing       (Tune: Joyful, Joyful)

Baptized in your grace with Jesus, loving God, we sing your praise.
Echoing your own delight, with joy and thanks our song we raise.
Your beloved children, birthed anew and rising from your womb,
God, we bear your love through all our living, and beyond the tomb.

God you heal, forgive and nourish, and revive us breath by breath;
you restore our broken trust and save us from our fear of death.
Like a dry and withered plant revived by water at its root,
we are saved by streams of grace, for flourishing and bearing fruit.

Bathed in grace, immersed in blessing, joined with your Beloved Son,
how can we not love each other?— for your Spirit makes us One.
Carried on a stream of mercy, springs beneath and rain above,
may we flow with peace and in your Spirit flood the world with love.


Spirit Feast (Tune: Cradle Song)

With hearts that are baptized in mercy and grace,
we enter the mystery of this time and place
to feast on your mercy in light from above,
receiving your Spirit, made one in your love.

The cup that we drink from flows deep with your love,
the water of blessing, descent of the dove.
“My Chosen, Beloved, in whim I am pleased,”
we’re sent by your Spirit to shine with your light.

With blest, grateful hearts, God, we come to this feast,
and pray that your Spirit in us be released.
This sharing, this joy and this justice you share
is ours now to bring to the word everywhere.

We Are Your Body      (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)

God of all holiness, baptized in you,
we are your Body: your presence shines through.
We, poor in spirit, are blessed with your own.
May our lives shine forth with your grace alone.

We who with Jesus do mourn with the world
shall see your banners of deep joy unfurled.
We who are hungry for love freely shared
feast at the banquet that you have prepared.

May we be merciful and pure in heart,
your gentle peacemakers, doing our part.
Dying and rising, we fear no great loss,
sealed with your Spirit and marked with your cross.


When Jesus Was Baptized (Tune: Cradle Song)

When Jesus was baptized, John said to repent,
and follow the Righteous One whom God had sent.
So wash us, dear God, and create us anew,
born fresh from your grace, living wholly in you.

When Jesus was baptized in waters that flow,
he sank in the Source of what makes all things grow.
So, held in Creation, renewed and made one,
we swim in the grace of your life-giving Son.

When Jesus was baptized in light, like a dove
your Spirit came down and you filled him with love.
So give us your Spirit: let all that we do
be you living in us, as we live in you.

When Jesus was baptized you spoke from above,
saying “This is my servant, my son, whom I love.”
So help us to hear you speak love when you call,
and as your Beloved, share freely with all.


You Are My Delight (Tune: Londonderry Air, “Oh, Danny Boy”)

We come with you, dear Jesus, through the desert hills,
down to the river, flowing gently by,
where through the rocks and valleys, deepening, it spills,
and flows into the sea, the earth, the sky.
    As we sink down and rise up from the water
    a dove descends, a voice speaks, clear and bright:
    “Know you are my beloved son, my daughter,
    my spirit is in you and you are my delight.

We go our way, and in our daily living
we follow you, and scatter rays of love
in deeds of caring, healing grace and giving,
for still we hear that voice and see the dove:
    “No river can undo you, for with you I go.
    I give my heart to you, and give you light.
    For you are mine, I hold you and I love you so.
   All water says, ‘Remember you are my delight.’”


          OFFERING SONGS
                       (Can be found in Offering Songs)

(Tune: Fairest Lord Jesus)

Blessed by your Spirit, God, and immersed in deepest grace,
baptized in love, in love we live.
In us your mercy grows; love like a river flows;
and so our finest gifts we give.

—or—

Baptized in love, O God, washed, renewed and risen, new,
in your Spirit we are one.
Yours are the gifts we give; yours are the lives we live,
bright shining as the morning sun.


             (Tune: Old 100th,
or Gift of Love (“The Water Is Wide”), or
               or Tallis’ Canon)

To You, O God, our praise we give,
For baptized into Christ, we live.
Thus may your Holy Spirit be
Our life and breath eternally! Amen.

               (Tune: Morning Has Broken)

Baptized, anointed, filled with your Spirit,
we are appointed bearers of light:
for liberation, servants of justice,
bringing the nations joy and delight.

Gladly we praise you, God our Creator,
joyfully raise our hearts up in prayer.
Humbly we give you thanks, Holy Spirit,
help us to live your Word everywhere.

—or—

Great holy giver of life and wonder,
deep like a river your blessings flow.
Gladly we give you praise and thanksgiving:
gifts we will give wherever we go.

—or—

Washed in your waters, baptized with Jesus,
your sons and daughters, risen anew,
each day we live we freely surrender,
our lives we give, God, gladly to you.


                (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)

God, we are raised to new life with your Son,
filled with your Spirit and baptized as one.
Branches of one vine, your fruits we will bear,
going to all the world, your great love to share.

January 5, 2025

Lectionary Texts

Isaiah 60.1-6. “Rise shine; your light has come.” God’s people will be light for the whole world, and people will come, bearing gifts and honors, praising God.

Psalm 72. A prayer for God’s guidance and support for a new king We pray for justice, which is that the poor receive what they need.

Ephesians 3.1-12. God blesses the Gentiles just as the Jews, and wants this good news spread to all people, and to all the powers in the universe.

Matthew 2. 1-12. Magi come to honor Jesus as king.

Preaching Thoughts

The 12^th day. Merry Christmas! Christmas is not the 27 days from Nov. 28 – Dec. 24, but the twelve days from Dec 25 – Jan. 5. Twelve days. Jan. 5 is the the 12^th day of Christmas. It’s not over till January 6, Epiphany. So though we’ll observe Epiphany on this Sunday, it’s still Christmas! Let the liturgical rhythm help us get out of the commercialized, consumerist, materialism of our culture, and really observe the Christmas season as the Feast of the Nativity of Christ. So it’s still appropriate to sing Christmas songs this week, and not just We Three Kings!

Light
     “Epiphany,” meaning “revealing,” is all about light. We celebrate Christ as the light of the world. The season begins with the light of the star that leads the magi to Jesus, and ends in the Transfiguration, with Jesus shining (even before his death!) with the light of resurrection. Along the way we hear a lot about light. Watch for it each week. (The song Light for the World, below, highlights those references.) The light of Christ’s love illumines our path and guides our way. We look at life in the light of God’s love, and that changes how we see the world. And the light of that love shines in us, so that our own lives become lights for others: streetlamps that offer guidance and safety, lighthouses that warn of danger, a new dawn that signals hope and beauty. Even when the scriptures aren’t literally talking about light, they describe how God’s love changes the world like light changes the darkness.

Light and dark
       But be thoughtful in your use of the image of light and darkness. Sometimes when we speak of darkness we mean not knowing (“I’m in the dark”), or gloomy, or evil, or sad, or… lots of things. And sometimes it’s better to say that than to simply call it “dark.” Watch out especially for the binary thought that light = good and dark = bad. We live in a culture that is chronically distorted by racism that judges people by how light or dark their skin is. So we judge dark people as bad and lighter people as good. It’s not just semantics. It’s instinctive, even among dark-skinned people. Sometimes when we reinforce the binary idea that light = good and dark = bad we reinforce its racist overtones. We don’t mean to—but we do. So watch out for this.
       All symbols are limited. Sometimes dark is good. God dwells in darkness… Creation begins, life is conceived and seeds sprout in the dark…darkness allows sleep and Sabbath rest….some people like their coffee black.. black people are learning to contradict the good/bad binary and appreciate the beauty of their dark skin… And sometimes light is bad: we wear sunglasses… light pollution prevents our seeing the stars… driving in too much glare or a winter whiteout can be deadly. The light can still shine in the darkness, and the darkness is unable to overcome it, but be wary of simplistic binaries. Be careful to define your terms and attend to your context. Let’s be clear what we mean (and don’t mean) by light or darkness.

Light and justice
      The theme of this season is that Jesus is the light of the world. The season begins with the light of a star and ends on transfiguration Sunday with Jesus shining with divine light on a mountain top. Along the way we hear a lot about light. Watch for it each week. (The song Light for the World, below, highlights those references.) The light of Christ’s love illumines our path and guides our way. We look at life in the light of God’s love, and that changes how we see the world. And the light of that love shines in us, so that our own lives become lights for others: streetlamps that offer guidance and safety, lighthouses that warn of danger, a new dawn that signals hope and beauty. Even when the scriptures aren’t literally talking about light, they describe how God’s love changes the world like light changes the darkness.

Isaiah
       Obviously the crafters of the lectionary chose this passage for Epiphany because it says “they shall bring gold and frankincense.” But it’s not just about that. It’s a message of hope and restoration, and in fact mission. We are called to “see and be radiant.” We’re to be light for the world.Ultimately this is not about what we shall receive but what we shall give.
        Remember the prophet says “Rise, shine, your light has come” to a weak, humiliated, discouraged, exiled people. It’s easy for privileged folks to go off on some “aren’t we special?” path. Don’t. This is a message of restoration for people who are broken. “Nations shall come to your light” is not about superiority, but the restoration of dignity. What is there in a message to exiled people that speaks to us today? Who among us is this actually speaking to? What part of ourselves—our souls, or our church— is exiled and needing encouragement?
       And of course Israel’s being chosen isn’t about how special we are—all people are beloved—it’s about our being tasked with God’s special mission, to spread light in the world, the light of love. Throughout the Epiphany season we’ll hear a lot about Jesus’s ministry and our own mission to bring good news to the poor.

Matthew
       Like every scripture, this is a symbolic story, not a historical account. The word “magi” that Matthew uses suggests Zoroastrian astrologers: not quite philosophers, and certainly not kings. Nothing scriptural suggests there were three, just because there were three gifts. (The gifts are an allusion to Isaiah 60.6: “They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of God.” Matthew, foreshadowing the cross, adds myrrh.) Nor should we insist the magi were men, though we might assume so. So there could have been dozens of them, or maybe just a couple of old women. But that’s not what Matthew is likely to have had in mind, since this is a purely symbolic story: what matters is that they represent people from outside the Jewish faith. The point is not how or whether it happened but what it’s about. So don’t go off counting magi, or learning about Zoroastrians, astronomy or Middle Eastern geography. Matthew made this up. It’s a story. What’s it about?
       It’s about Jesus as “’king.” What does it mean for Jesus to rule in your heart?
      It’s about Jesus as sovereign over more than Christians. Matthew is creating a bookend at the beginning of his gospel, matched by the Great Commission at the end, about Jesus’ relevance for “all nations.” Avoiding evangelistic conquest and Christian colonialism, what might it mean for us to be part of a movement that is intended for the well-being of the whole world, not just us Christians?
      It’s about revealing. How might Christ be revealed—particularly in us— to others, especially those outside the Church?
      It’s about the witness of foreigners. How do we relate to outsiders, strangers, foreigners, people of other religions? Do we acknowledge their quest for the holy even if it doesn’t match ours? Are we willing to listen to them, hear their stories, learn from them, honor them?
      It’s about about seeking, and being guided. How willing are we to acknowledge truth beyond what we know? To seek God in mystery? What are the stars that guide you, and you follow? Where do you seek Christ? (Even in foreign, unexpected or “improper”places?)
      It’s about light that leads the way. The star guided the magi. What are the guiding stars in your life? How are you and your way of living a guiding star for others to find hope and love?
      It’s about pilgrimage. (Matthew mentions “two years.” hHs the magi’s journey taken that long?) What kind of journey might you be on? How does God go with you, guide you, help you get directions? What might it be like to maintain the discipline of a long pilgrimage, without quitting, without diversion?
      It’s about going by “another road.” What old ways are you/we being invited to abandon, to accept new ways of going? Note that it’s not exploring new frontiers, but going home.
      It’s about resistance. We can expect to encounter our Herods who oppose us or want to co-opt our faith; we will have to be ready to resist, to refuse to cooperate with the Powers. Are you ready?
      It’s about imperial power and violence, and our non-cooperation. It’s about state-sponsored terrorism. This story is a shadow of the crucifixion. Jesus is a “wanted “person. He did not safely escape the slaughter in Bethlehem. He died in all those children. We often slide over this part. Such a nasty thing to include in our Christmas stories! But this is why we need Jesus. We’re neck deep in a culture of violence and we need a different kind of power in our lives. Imperial power in our world takes form in capitalism, consumerism, white supremacy, patriarchy, nationalism, and systems of power, privilege and exclusion. Empire preserves its power, even at the expense of slaughter. The “slaughter of the innocents” may appear in our world as executions, mass shootings, poor health care, mass incarceration, environmental threat, and dangers that disproportionately affect the poor and people of color. Empire is in the business of death. But God is in the business of life even in the face of brutality. Herod is threatened by the young “king’s” power, and wants to use the magi to destroy the child, but with God’s guidance the magi do not cooperate with Herod. Like Herod trying to use the magi for his own purposes, do you see other powers trying to co-opt Christianity? Where do you see that in our world? How do we practice resistance? How do we practice life in the face of death?

Call to Worship

1. from Isaiah 60.1-6
Leader: Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of God has risen upon you.
All: For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but God will arise upon you,
and God’s glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to our light,
and leaders to the brightness of our dawn.
Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
Rulers shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praise of God.

2.
Leader: God of grace, the light of your star shines upon us.
     All: You are the light that guides us.
Beloved Christ, the light of your presence shines among us.
     You are the love we seek.
Holy Spirit, light of your grace shines within us.
     You are the treasure we offer.
We thank you, and we worship you.
     We have to come to honor you and to offer you our gifts,
     that being enlightened by your Word,
     we shall go onward by a new way.

3.
Leader: Star of God, you bless us with your beauty.
All: Light of Christ, you draw us near to God.
Star of wisdom, guide us with your grace.
Light of God, lead us by your love.
We worship you with humble, open hearts.


4.
Leader: God of Mystery, your light has led us to you.
     All: All through our days your Word has shone; your star has lit the way.
You have accompanied us, guided us, and guarded us.
       We have come through miles and years to this place, this moment.
We have come to praise you, to honor you, to worship you.
     We thank you for your grace. We wonder at your presence.
And we are still learning to seek your presence and to follow your light.
     We are still asking, “Where is the child?”
     Help us to search, and help us to find.
God, we praise you for the One who shepherds your people.
     Alleluia! We worship you with thanksgiving and praise.

5.
Leader: God of Creation, your light shines in the stars.
     All: May your light lead us to life.
Your light shines in the heart of those who wander in search of you.
     May your light lead us to wonder.
Your light shines in the Christ child, revealed as the light of the world.
     May your light lead us to love.
Holy Spirit, light of God, shine in us, that we may be light for the world.
     Alleluia! Come, Spirit of Life, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

6.
Leader: Christmas star, shining in the darkness, you led magi to the Christ child.
Light of Christ, chase away all darkness, illumine our path,
and lead us to the heart of God.
Morning sun, rising on a new year, you grant us new life.
Light of God, forgive our sin and set us free from all that has bound us;
grant that we may begin anew in this new year with grace and blessing.
Spirit of life, gleaming in our eyes, you make us your beautiful children.
Holy Spirit, transform us by your grace,
that we may shine with the light of your love,
     for the sake of the blessing of all Creation. Amen.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of light, your glory shines throughout the world; help us to see it, and in it to seek you. The star of your guidance leads us; help us to discern wisely and to follow. The gifts you give us gleam in our hands and our hearts; grant us courage and generosity to give them. God of light, shine for us and in us. Speak your Word, and we will listen, and follow. Amen.

2.
God of love, as the star led the magi to the Christ child, so lead us by your Word to the light of your love. Show us your way; lead us in the path of peace and mercy. Fill us with the light of your Word, that we may be light for those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death. Amen.

3.
Light of God, your loveliness beckons us and we journey toward you. The way is long and hard, but the beauty of your light draws us on. Bring us always closer to Christ. Shine upon us, reveal your truth to us, and lead us in the ways of goodness and peace. Amen.

4.
God of Mystery, God of Revealing: as the magi searched diligently for the Christ child, may we also continually seek your presence. As the light of the star led the magi, we pray that the light of love will lead us always. May the light of your Word shine upon us now and lead us nearer to you. Amen.

5.
O God, in the magi’s visit to the Christ child you revealed yourself to the nations. We come to honor you and to give our gifts. Speak to us and reveal yourself to us, that we may go from this place by a new way. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

On bended knee we come,
humbly offering the gift
of ourselves.
In the light of your grace
we see the treasure of the gifts within,
and we who give
are those who receive.

Prayer of Confession

Trusting in God’s tender mercy, we confess our sin to God with one another.
God, we wish to see ourselves clearly with the eyes of love.
We recall those times we have followed the light of your grace and moved closer to you, and we give thanks.
[Silent reflection…]
We recall those times when we have followed false stars of ego, fear, or attachments, and have wandered away from you; and we ask your forgiveness.
[Silent reflection…]
In Christ we trust your grace.
Forgive us, heal us, and renew your Spirit in us,
that we may faithfully follow the light of your love.
Dearly Beloved, know that all your sins are forgiven entirely;
and we are set free to live by the Spirit each moment
in the light and grace of God. Alleluia.

Response / Creed / Affirmation

1.
      We trust in God, Creator of all that is, whose light guides us and whose grace extends to all people of the world.
      We follow Jesus, the Christ of God, Light of the world, who is the ruler of our hearts, before whom we bow in adoration and reverence, to whom we offer the gifts of our hands and hearts. Jesus loved people and healed them, and taught the way of true wisdom. Though many would make him king, he was not a ruler of a nation but the Prince of Peace. Earthly kings were threatened by him, and crucified him, but he was raised from the dead, sovereign even over life itself.
     We live by the Holy Spirit, whose light is a star that guides us, whose grace gives us gifts to offer the world, whose companionship makes us one with peoples of all nations, tribes and traditions. In the power of that Spirit we devote ourselves to love and justice, for the sake of Christ, the sovereign of our hearts.

2.
God of love, we offer you our gold:
all that we value, all we posses or cling to:
may it be yours, and for your purposes only.
We offer you our frankincense:
our prayers now and in every moment of our lives,
that we may live in grateful trust,
in reverent joy, and in faithful love.
We offer you our myrrh:
knowing we are mortal, we give you these short lives
to spend as you would have us spend them.
We offer to you our dying,
that our living may be holy and beautiful.
These things we offer in the light of your grace
and the delight of your loving Christ. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer

(Musical invitations to communion for Epiphany are included in Advent Table Songs on the music page. See also Advent Eucharistic Responses for musical Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation and Amen appropriate for this day.)

The main body of the prayer may be read either responsively by pastor and congregation or just by the presider(s).

1.
Beloved, God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Faithful One, our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
Loving God, Creator of all, we give you thanks.
The light of your love is the star by which we find our way.
All people are the work of your hands and the love of your heart.
You call us your children, set us free from what imprisons us,
and make us one in your grace.
And so we offer you gifts, together with people of every race and nation,
kneeling in reverence, and singing your praise with one voice:
      [Sanctus]

Blessed are all who come in your name, and blessed in Jesus, your Christ,
who shone with your light, who taught and healed and blessed us.
Jesus, Prince of Peace, proclaimed an Empire of Grace
not subject to the powers or rulers of this world,
and included in its sovereignty all people of every tribe and tradition.
In this meal we are one with Christ, and one with all peoples.
      [Blessing and Covenant]*

Therefore, remembering Christ’s gifts for us
we kneel and open the treasure chests of our hearts,
offering ourselves as a living and holy sacrifice,
proclaiming the mystery at the heart of our faith:
      [Memorial Acclamation]

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
one in your love, and one in love for the world.
By your grace may our every step be a journey toward you;
may we in every moment kneel in reverence;
may we continually offer the gifts your Spirit bestows,
for the sake of love and justice, and for the sake of your delight.
     [Amen]

______

2.
Beloved, God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
God of light, you blessed the darkness with Creation.
You fashioned us in the light of your love.
In the night of our bondage
you broke the power of oppression and set us free,
leading your children by a pillar of light.

You call us always to follow your light,
even the faintest star of love and justice and mercy.
Therefore with those who come from afar to honor you,
and with all Creation, we sing your praise.
     [Sanctus]
Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ, light of the world.
He loved and healed, and showed to many your light shining in them.
He showed us the light of love
and taught us to forsake all that glitters and follow that light alone.
        [The Blessing and Covenant…] *


     [Memorial Acclamation]
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
the light of love shining in the darkness,
your glory revealed to the nations.
     [Amen.]

_____

3.
God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift our hearts to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is good to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, O God, Creator of all things,
and ruler of all that is to come.
In the beginning was your Word, which is the light of life,
Through which you have made all things.
You set us free from what entangles us, and forgive us when we go astray.
Though we turn from your light, still you shine upon us and within us,
and lead us to seek your presence, guided by the light of wonder.
Star of love, you shine, even in the darkest night.
Therefore, in company with those who bring you gold,
we honor you with our obedience and our praise:

(Sanctus)

Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ.
Child of Mary, Light of the World and Prince of Peace,
whose love makes all peoples one.
He has brought us the light of hope and healing,
and embodied your Covenant to be with us in love and blessing.
      (… The Blessing and Covenant…)*

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it:
though he was crucified you raised Christ from death;
Therefore in company with those who bring you myrrh
we offer you our life unto death,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith.
     (Memorial Acclamation)

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ.
IN company with those who bring you frankincense
we offer you our prayerful lives, that in everything
we may be the light of love shining in the darkness,
your glory revealed to the nations.
     [Amen.]
______
* Blessing and Covenant (“Words of Institution”)
I usually do not print the words: I want folks to look at the bread, not the bulletin.)

On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.

Prayer of Dedication / Sending / after Communion

God of love, you feed us for the journey.
The star of your grace shines on us, and guides our way.
We bear the gifts of your Spirit into this world,
knowing that whoever receives them is the Christ child.
Guide us, guard us, and lead us in the ways of peace,
to bring light to those who dwell in darkness,
in the name and the company of Jesus. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page)

Guiding Star (Tune: Of the Father’s Love Begotten)

Christ we search for you with longing, but we need not travel far.
In the darkness shines a mystery; in the night a radiant star.
For your love appears before us, gleaming right where we are,
evermore and evermore.

So we bring our gifts to honor you, and we come on bended knee,
offering our hearts and living, that to you the glory be.
May your light adorn and guide us, now and in eternity,
evermore and evermore.

Christ, you are the star that guides us; your love is the way we know.
Keep us faithful in our seeking; may we take the path you show.
May the light of your love shine in us, here and everywhere we go,
evermore and evermore. Amen.


Light for the World (original song: a dialogue between soloist and congregation.
Sing one or two verses per week through the Epiphany season;
verses reflect lectionary text especially in Year A [2026].)

Love, may we live by your light.
Let us be light for the world.

Magi who followed the light of your star offered their gifts to your glory.
May we shine brightly wherever we are. Our love will tell your story.

You are my servant in whom I delight, a light unto the nations.
Shine for the ones who dwell in the dark, with comfort and justice.

When you belong to God you are light, no longer held in the dark night.
Live what is loving and true, my friends, as children of light.

God said, “Let light shine out of the dark,” and shines with that glory in Jesus.
And when we turn our faces to Christ, God shines in our own heart.

When you belong to God you are light, no longer held in the dark night.
Live what is loving and true, my friends, as children of light.

You are the light, the light of the world. Let God’s light shine in you.
Let your light shine so that others may see, and glorify God.

Jesus, the light of your love shines warm in the dark of our suffering and struggles.
Fill us, we pray, with the light of your grace, that we may shine for others.

Those who do justice are light in the dark, light for the wandering, the poor.
Those who are generous shall not be moved, forever more.

“This is the fast that I choose,” says our God, “to loosen the bonds of injustice.
For then your light shall break forth like the dawn, rising in the darkness.”

Christ, you appeared on the mountain top, shining with radiant glory.
You are God’s Son, the light of the world, and we will tell your story.

        Offering Song (Found in Offering Songs)

Gifts (Tune: Of The Father’s Love Begotten)

God, we bring our gifts to honor you, and we come on bended knee,
offering our hearts and living, that to you the glory be.
May your light adorn and guide us, now and in eternity,
evermore and evermore. Amen.


        Invitation to Communion (Both are in Advent Table Songs)

Lovely Jesus (Tune: Rocking)
Lovely Jesus, light divine, light divine,
light of the world and light of mine.
I will follow, follow, follow you.
Lead me in what love will dare to do.
Here I bring my gifts to you.
Use them as your love will do.

Gentle Jesus, friend and guide, friend and guide,
now you call us to your side.
Here you give yourself as living food,
and we feast in joy and gratitude.
Gentle Jesus, make us one;
may your will in love be done.


Your Light (Tune: What Child Is This)

O God, your light now fills our sight;
your song now fills our hearing.
Our gifts we bring, and your praise we sing,
as we feast at Christ’s appearing.
Christ, Christ, Emmanuel,
your love we share, your grace we tell.
Christ, Light of the World, we come!
O fill us, Love, with your brightness!

Advent to Epiphany – the Story

(Solo. Tune: Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen)

In the darkest time of year,
a time of hope, and a time of fear,
the prophet says that God is coming to you.
And so we turn from greed and hate,
still learning to pray and watch and wait,
and sing our fragile, hopeful hallelujah.
     Hallelujah…

Young Mary said her “Yes” to him,
and Jesus was born in Bethlehem,
and laid him in a manger, that’ll do you.
The light of love shone in the night.
The shepherds came to see the sight,
and angels sang a glorious Hallelujah.
     Hallelujah…

Some wise men traveled from afar,
just following such a tiny star,
as if its simple light could shine right though you.
They gave their treasures to the king,
who makes you want to serve and sing,
who tells you you can be his Hallelujah.
     Hallelujah…

       Blessing Songs (All are in Advent Blessing Songs)

Light of Christ (Tune: Away in a Manger)

My friends, may the star over Bethlehem’s skies
now give you God’s peace, make you gentle and wise,
and lead you, as though by a light from above:
the light of dear Christ in you, shining with love.


The Star (Tune: What Child Is This)

O God, may all your Church make flesh
the Word that you are giving;
the love of Christ and the Spirit’s power
make holy all of our living.
Love, love shall be the light
by which we live: so bless our sight.
Love, love shall be the star
by which you guide our living.


Walk Beside You (Tune: We Three Kings)

Go in peace, and take from this place
our dear love and God’s deep grace.
Serving, healing, Christ revealing, be God’s human face.
Oh, God of wonder, God of light,
shining with a love so bright,
bless you, guide, you, walk beside you,
fill you with God’s gentle light.

December 1, 2024

Lectionary Texts

Jeremiah 33.14-16 — A righteous branch

Psalm 25.1-10 — Teach me your paths… do not remember the sins of my youth…consider my troubles ad deliver me

1 Thessalonians 3.9-13 — May God strengthen your love, for the coming of Christ.

Luke 21.25-36 — Signs in the heavens… as with the fig tree you know: the Coming is near. Be alert.

Preaching Thoughts

       Popular culture thinks Christmas is the weekend after Thanksgiving till Dec. 25. So it’s jarring for people steeped in that culture to hear on this Sunday scriptures so un-Christmas-like. But jarring is what we need. Our longing for a sentimental Christmas, saturated with tradition and pleasant memories of the past, masks our deeper yearning for a new world. In a world of war and violence, suffering and injustice, climate change and environmental suicide, we long for God to break in and change things. Jarring indeed.
       Jesus was talking about our own times. “Signs in the heavens and the roaring of the waves” sounds a lot like climate change. This is a time of “fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world.” People may whine about it some, but we tend to bury our deepest dread for the world and not talk about it. Well, Advent is a time to talk about it. Bring our fears out and put them on the table. In the light of our unacknowledged thoughts about the future, we need Jesus and his strange predictions. Because he’s not talking about some dramatic Hollywood Second Coming loaded with CGI special effects. He’s talking about the radical change love can bring about in the world, if we let it. Advent is a time to be honest about “the hopes and fears of all the years,” and allow for the possibility of God’s grace breaking in on that and changing it. It’s a time to practice hope.
       We’re accustomed to thinking of hope as wanting something. We hope our team wins. We hope it doesn’t rain. But true hope isn’t wanting something that isn’t there, it’s trusting in something that is here, right now, thought mostly unseen, something whose outcome is not yet seeable. So I hope the sun will rise. People say to me, “What do you mean you hope? Of course the sun will rise.” Exactly. That’s what hope is. Trust in what is at work unseen. Sure, I also have wishes on top of my hope. I wish for a sunny day. But I hope in the coming of day. We wish for world peace, but our hope is in the power of peace that is already at work in the world. To sustain our hope we just have to keep our eyes open to watch for signs. So hope is less about dreaming than about paying attention.
       That’s what Jesus is talking about. An as alternative to the world’s despair at the storms of life and our power struggles— “signs in the heavens”— Jesus commends a spirit of inner watchfulness, being alert for signs of God’s presence like we watch for spring. Be alert. You know that the realm of God is near. So watch for it. Watch for little signs, like tiny spring leaves of the fig tree. Little outbursts of love and peace, of healing and justice, of courage and beauty. There is evidence of the grace of God, the power of love, the basic energy of unity and peace that holds the universe together. It’s our confidence in these things that helps us “escape all these things that will take place.” It’s the knowledge that God is already here that gives us hope that God is yet coming in new ways. Stay open. Be alert. God is not done with us yet. So we enter into Advent watching, waiting, expecting, preparing.

              Click here for Advent Candle lighting prayers, Advent Wreath prayers,                and music including Eucharist and other resources.

Call to Worship / Lighting the Advent Candle

Note: For musical responses to the lighting of the Advent candle see The Promises of God and Sleeper, Awake, Advent Blessing Songs and Awaken Us, a collection of responsorial verses. (Click on titles to view the songs.)

1.
SCRIPTURE (Jeremiah 33.14-16)
The days are surely coming, says the Holy One, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up from David’s line; a ruler who shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “God is our justice.”
SONG The Promises of God
RESPONSE
Leader: A new world is coming, according to the promises of God.
The time is coming.
        All: We light a candle in hope, watching the clock.
We cannot hasten the future. But we wait with intention.
        Deepen our longing, God, and bless our waiting.


2.
[Luke 21.29-31; 1 Thessalonians 3.12-13]
Leader: Look to the leaves of the fig tree. When they sprout and begin to grow,
you know that summer is already near.
       This Advent wreath is a sign of hope for us, O God,
       For like a tree that is bare in winter, we await the coming of your grace.
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all,
and strengthen your hearts that you may be confident at the coming of our Lord.
       As we light this candle, kindle in our hearts the hope in your coming
       that bears fruit in love and joy.
       Come, Lord Jesus, come! Amen.


3.
Leader: A righteous branch will spring up from David,
a ruler who will bring justice and peace to God’s people.
       All: We await your peace, O God, according to the promise of your prophets.
       May the peace of Christ transform our hearts,
       as we prepare for his coming.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
       As we light these Advent candles, Lord,
       kindle in us your spirit of peace.
       Grant that we may prepare for his coming
       in simplicity and joy,
       in peace and reconciliation with all. Amen.

4. (Jeremiah 29.11-14)
Reader: Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile

Leader: Gracious God, hope of the world, as we light this Advent candle,
waken our minds to your Word.
      All: Waken our hearts to your promise.
Open our eyes to your coming.
      Open our arms to your presence.
      O come, O Come, Emmanuel. Alleluia!


5. (Revelation 21.22-24, 22.5, 7a)
Reader: I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Holy One, God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the rulers of the earth will bring their glory into it. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. And he said to me, “See, I am coming soon!”

Leader: God of light, as we light this candle in this season of darkness,
our hearts ache for your presence.
     All: Dawn upon us and be our light.
Spirit of hope, in this season of waiting we turn to you.
     Bless us with your patience, and grant us your hope.
O Loving Christ, we pray for one another, for your church, and for all Creation.
     Come, Lord Jesus, come, and grant us your love. Amen.

6.
We praise you, O God, for this circle of light
that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent.
     As we light the first candle on the wreath,
     rouse us from sleep, that we may be ready to greet our Christ
     coming like spring with hands of healing.
Enlighten us with your grace,
and prepare our hearts to welcome Christ with joy.
     Kindle within us the gift of hope through Christ our Beloved,
     whose coming is certain and whose day draws near. Amen.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of light, in the darkness of this world your dawn is rising. Your love is at work. Waken our hearts. Keep us ready to see you. Open the ears of our hearts, ready to hear you. Speak, for in the dark, we are watching. We are listening. Amen.

2.
In this dark time of year, God, we long for your coming. When darkness falls upon the world, we long for your peace. For healing, we wait. For justice, we hope. Strengthen our hearts, that we may be steadfast in faith, constant in love, and radiant with hope even when times are dark. In the name of Christ, who is coming, and who is always with us, we pray. Amen.

3.
Loving God, you promise more than we see. You intend more than we know. You lead us more than we trust. Awaken our hearts with your Word. Stir up your Spirit in us to wait for the dawning of your delight among us with grace and faith. Amen.

4.
Holy One, we come to you full of hopes and fears. We bear in our hearts deep longing for you, that you would come and be with us. We ask your blessing on our deepest yearnings that are not even known to us, but only faint stirrings in the darkness. Loving God, we are homesick for you. Come to us; speak to us; bring us into the light and warmth of the home that is your Word. Amen.

5.
Stir up your power, O Christ, and come. By your merciful grace, may the light of your presence dawn upon us, that we may see the signs of your coming, and live in hope; for you live and reign with the Creator and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

Holy Mystery,
You who are coming and yet here,
You who are our hope,
longed for yet unimaginable,
waken us.
Open our hearts to hold space for you
to hope in us.
We are alert; we are waiting.

Prayer of Confession

The grace of God be with you.
       And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
       Gracious God,
       We confess the darkness and cold in our lives.
       Like barren trees in winter,
       we do not bear the fruits of love
       as you would have us.
       Forgive our sin, heal our hearts,
       and be born in us again,
       that by your grace we may bear your light.
       O come to us, Lord, and save us! Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer

Note: Even though it’s Advent people are eager to jump ahead and sing Christmas Carols. I’ve addressed this by putting four whole Eucharistic Prayers and 24 Eucharistic Prayer responses to familiar carol tunes. See also Advent Table Songs for invitation to communion. (Click on titles to view them).

1.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Beloved, God is with you.
       And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
       We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Faithful One, our God.
       It is good to give God thanks and praise.

We thank you, God, for you create us in your image.
You judge the forces of evil and set us free from all that oppresses,
calling us to justice and freedom.
       You promise a new world, dawning just beyond our imagination.
You walk with us through the dark toward the light;
and we rejoice that your presence is the light.
       Therefore we sing your praise with all Creation:
                      [Sanctus]

Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ, who embodied among us the Realm to Come.
       The light of that Realm began to dawn in his teaching and healing,
       in his witness for justice, in the community he gathered,
       in his death and resurrection.

                  [The Blessing and Covenant…]*

Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
As often as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection until he comes again.
       Remembering these, your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
       we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
       as a living and holy sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
       as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
                    [Memorial Acclamation]

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
       Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
       that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
       in our speaking and praying and acting, living signs of Christ’s coming.

                     [Amen]
_________________
* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]

On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.

Prayer after Communion

1.
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have placed within us the sign of your coming, your covenant to be with us in faithful love. Send us into the world to live and to serve as those who believe in your coming, that in our transformation others may see signs of the transformation of the world, for the sake of Christ. Amen.

2.
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us.
In the Word, the bread, and the community we have seen signs of your presence. Guide and sustain us by these gifts that we may always live in hope of your coming, and confidence in your presence. Send us into the world, increasing and abounding in love for one another and for all, that they may see in us signs of your coming. Amen

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view and hear audio samples on the music page.)

        All songs with “Advent” tags, especially:

Child of Promise (Original song)

Child of promise, oh, child of hope, prophets spoke of you:
visions treasured but unfulfilled. Shall our dreams come true?
Help us wait for you.

Child of woman, oh, child of God, birthing us anew,
make a room, oh, make a womb, in our hearts for you.
Help us wait for you.

Child of patience, oh, child of pain, suffering ills we do,
heal, forgive and help us be gentle child, like you.
Help us wait for you.

Child of wonder, oh, child of joy, you make all things new.
Re-create us, come again like the morning dew.
Help us wait for you.


Psalm 25.1-10 (Tune: What Child Is This)

To you, O God, I lift my soul; in you, my trust abiding.
O lead my feet with mercy sweet: my only path your guiding.
Love, make me know your ways, that I may follow all my days.
You, you will save me, God. For you my heart is waiting.

Be mindful of your mercy, God, your love, here from the beginning.
Now set me free and deliver me from wayward fear and sinning.
Love, make me know your ways, that I may follow all my days.
You, you will save me, God. For you my heart is waiting.

How loving and how good you are: you teach the humble and feed them,
and turn their face with steadfast grace toward life, and faithfully lead them.
Love, make me know your ways, that I may follow all my days.
You, you will save me, God. For you my heart is waiting.

         Songs with weekly responses through Advent:

God, We Are Waiting (Original song)
A dialogue between cantor and congregation.

Congregation:
God, we are waiting, watching and hoping.
Come to us and save us and bring us peace.

Cantor, Week 1:
In the face of fear and the world’s distress
look for signs that God is here to bless.
Let your heart not be weighed down with fear:
your redemption’s drawing near.

Tree of Life (Original song)
A dialogue between cantor and congregation.

Week 1:
Look to the leaves of the fig tree:
when they bud, you know summer is near.
So take heart, the Beloved is coming,
healing our sin and our fear.

Tree of life in winter,
stir our hearts with cheer.
The healing of the nations comes.
The one who is coming, coming, is near.

Like a tree in the dead of winter
whose life is a secret within,
God’s hidden grace will appear
to save us from death and sin.

Advent Blessing Songs are ideal for the closing of worship, for the congregation to sing to each other.

For the Hanging of the Greens, Adorning Your House.

December 22, 2024

Lectionary Texts

Micah 5.2-5 — Bethlehem, from you shall come a ruler who will feed the people and reign in peace.

Luke 1.46-55 — The Magnificat.

Hebrews 10.5-10 — Quoting Psalm 40 as the voice of Christ: “Sacrifice and offerings you do not desire, but to do your will. See, I have come to do your will.”

Luke 1.39-45 —Mary’s visit to Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s song: “Blessed are you….

Preaching Thoughts

Luke 1.46-55
       The Magnificat is another song in Luke’s great musical. Mary repeats the common biblical theme that God lifts the lowly and lowers the powerful. That second half is often overlooked, because it’s the traumatic one. We don’t mind the lowly being raised, but for the powerful to come down, well… let’s face it: that threatens us, because in wordily terms most of us are among the powerful. For true justice to come about we ourselves will have to let go of power and privilege, or at least be better stewards of them. We’re more attached to social stratification than we like to think. In society at large and even in our little personal cliques and social networks, consciously or unconsciously. we believe some folks are “beneath us.” There are ways we believe we should have control of things that others shouldn’t have. We deserve certain goods, positions or opportunities that others don’t deserve. We might not profess it, but unconsciously we believe in high and low, superior and inferior, deserving and undeserving. God will not have that.

Luke 1.39-45
       And Elizabeth gets to sing a song. The first verse affirms Mary and her gifts, and all those who follow in her footsteps. “Blessed are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Elizabeth isn’t just talking about biology. Maybe your “womb” is whatever in you creates new life or gives birth. Of course the fruit of Mary’s womb was Jesus. So your “womb” is also whatever ways God is alive in you. Blessed are you, and blessed is the fruit of your heart, the fruit of your love, the fruit of your faith, the fruit of God alive in you.
       Then Elizabeth sings the bridge, in which “as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy.” She turns momentarily from blessing Mary to blessing herself. There is something in you that responds to divine presence, even beneath the awareness of your rational mind. Something deep in you knows, and leaps for joy. Sometimes prayer is simply holding still and letting that inner presence in us respond to the presence of God.
       Then Elizabeth returns to the blessing theme of the opening verse. “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what God has spoken.” Again, a blessing for all who follow in Mary’s footsteps of trusting God’s promises in them, trusting the mystery of God at work in them. Part of our Advent anticipation is that while we wait with Joseph and Mary for the birth of their baby, we also tend to how God takes on new life in us. “Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today.”

Call to Worship / Lighting the Advent Candle

[See Advent Resources for Advent Candle prayers, Advent Wreath prayers and music, including eucharistic prayers and responses, and weekly litanies.]

1. [Also may be used as a response/ affirmation.]
Leader: O people of God, rejoice, for God is among you.
All: We give thanks, God, and welcome your presence.
Blessed are you, and blessed is the fruit of your faith,
for God is alive in you.
As we hear the Word
something deep within us leaps for joy,
for God within us rejoices.
Blessed are you who believe that there will be a fulfillment
of what God has spoken.
God, you are coming into our lives in new ways.
In trust, we open the womb of our hearts to you.
Come, God of love, be born in us today.

2.
              READING [Luke 1.26-38 (The Annunciation)]
              RESPONSE
Leader: The Advent candle shines with light,
        All: the same light that shines in us, the light of your love.
On the darkest day of the year, the longest night, your light shines into the world.
        And it shines in our hearts. Bring to life your holy presence in us
        as we worship now and as we live each moment.
        Christ, be born in us, now and always. Amen.

3.
READING (John 1.1-5, 9)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through the Word, without whom not one thing came into being. What has come into being in the Word was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, is coming into the world.
RESPONSE
Leader: These candles we light shine with the light that comes into the world.
       All: Your presence and your love shine upon us.
Like a child to be born, your light awaits, the light of life.
      Your presence and your love shine within us.
May we await your coming in hope and joy,
and prepare for your life among us in love.
      Your presence and your love shine out from us.
May your love grow in us, shine upon the world,
and bring life to all people.
      Come, O Christ, and shine in us with your grace!

4.
READING (Luke 1.26-38, the Annunciation)
Leader: God of grace, as we light these candles, we remember your promise.
      All: Your light shines within us.
You have chosen us to bear your love into the world.
      Your presence grows within us.
We await the coming of Christ.
      Your Spirit moves within us.
We prepare for your coming in joy and simplicity.
     Come, Holy Spirit, and transform us by your grace. Alleluia!

5.
Leader: Now you, O Bethlehem of Ephratha, who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth from me one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
      All: You have promised a ruler, O God,
     to feed your flock and guide us to live in peace.
      May your peace come to all the earth.
O God, you have scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
You have brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly;
You have filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty..
      As we light these Advent candles, O God,
      kindle in us your spirit of justice.
      As we prepare for your coming may your love grow in our hearts,
      that by our faithful living
      we may bring peace to all the world. Amen.

6.
We praise you, O God, for this victory wreath
that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent.
      As we light these candles on the wreath,
      awaken our hearts to your light growing about us
     and within us, as our Savior draws near.
Enlighten us with your grace,
and prepare our hearts to welcome you with joy.
      Kindle within us the gift of love through Christ the Beloved,
     whose coming is certain and whose day draws near. Amen.

7.
READING (from Micah 5.2-5)
Now you, O Bethlehem, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. God’s chosen one shall stand and feed God’s flock in the strength of God, in the majesty of the name of the Holy One our God. And the people shall live secure, for their ruler shall be great to the ends of the earth, the one of peace.
RESPONSE
Leader: God of love, you promise our salvation, coming from among us.
      All: Grace stirs within us. Love lives among us.
Christ is near. We waken to the light of your presence.
      We rise in the dawning of the mystery of love made flesh.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of love, you promise your presence, and you pledge to us your mercy and grace. Open our eyes to see the dawning of your light within us and among us. Open our hearts to your Word, that we might trust in what you have spoken to us. Speak to us again, that we may live in the light of your coming. Amen.

2.
God of love, your presence grows within us. Open our hearts to receive, to honor and to nourish the holy child, that Christ may be born in us by your grace. Amen.

3.
Holy One, Promise of Life, Mystery of light, your grace comes to us; your Word grows within us. In the stillness of the morning we open our hearts to you, to receive your Word, to embrace your love, that your grace may be conceived in us and among us. May it be for us according to your Word. Amen.

4.
God of love, as your Word came to Mary long ago, it comes to us nows. You are present for us, and we have only to listen with our hearts to know your desire for us. We want to be open to your Word. We want to hear your promises. May it be for us according to your Word. Amen.

5.
Gracious God, your angel spoke to Mary long ago, calling her your Beloved, and showing her your blessing that grew within her. Speak to us now; call us as your Beloved, and help us see the blessing that grows within us. Grant us open hearts and minds, that as the scriptures are read and your good news proclaimed we may hear with joy what you are saying to us today. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

God of life,
something in us leaps for joy
when we sense you near.
Blessed are we, and blessed is the fruit of our hearts
when we listen.
In the silence, and in the Word, speak to us.
Come to us.
Be born in us.

Prayer of Confession

1.
God, we confess our sin, and what diminishes life in us.
And we confess the life within us yet to be born,
the holy presence yet to be affirmed,
the divine presence in us that leaps with joy.
Forgive our sin, heal our fear,
and bring to life the light within.
Give us the courage of Mary and Elizabeth
to believe you will fulfill what you have spoken.
Amen.

2.
God of love, you who are born in us, we thank you.
And we confess the times
we leave no room in the inn of our hearts
for you to be born in us.
Forgive our being closed off to your gift of Life;
grant us open minds and spacious hearts,
that your love may find new life in our lives.

Eucharistic Prayer

Beloved, God is with you.
     And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
     We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Faithful One, our God.
     It is good to give God thanks and praise.

How blessed we are that our life-giver and savior has come to us!
      Our hearts within us leap for joy at the sound of your voice.
We praise you, God, for you birth us in love.
     You promise yourself to us, and you are faithfully present.
You defeat the forces of oppression, set us free,
and call us to join you in building a world of mercy and justice.      
      You leave the rich wanting and feed the hungry with good things.
      Therefore with all Creation we sing your praise.

            [Sanctus, spoken or sung:]
        Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and might,
        heaven and earth are full of your glory.
        Hosanna in the highest.
        Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
        Hosanna in the highest.
               [or alternate version]

Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ:i
      in him you were incarnate among us and live with us always.
He taught and healed, he embodied forgiveness and reconciliation;
      he recognized the divine in each of us and called it to life.

                  […The Blessing and Covenant…] *

Whenever we break this bread and share this cup we remember his incarnation,
his death and resurrection, until he comes again.
       Remembering your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
       we offer ourselves, with praise and thanksgiving,
       as a living and holy sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
       as we proclaim the mystery at the heart of our faith.

             [Memorial Acclamation, spoken or sung:]
        Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
                     —or—
        Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restores our life.
        Christ will come again in glory.
             [or alternative]

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts,
that they may be for us the Body and Blood of the Holy One Jesus Christ.
       Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
       that we may trust what you have spoken to us,
       and conceive in our souls
       and bring forth your love made flesh,
      that by the grace of your Spirit in us
      may we be for the world the Body of Christ.

     [Spoken or sung]
Amen.

_____________________

* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]

On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.

Prayer after Communion

Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. In your Spirit you live within us; your presence accompanies us; your love flows from us. May Christ be born in us in this holy season and all the days of our lives, by your grace, to your eternal glory. Amen

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page.)

Blessed Child of Bethlehem      (Original song)

Blessed child of Bethlehem, waiting to be born,
some will bring you incense, and some a crown of thorns.
Yet you bear so gently all our joys and harms.
How I long to greet you, and hold you in my arms!

Blessed child of heaven, waiting to be born,
joy of all Creation, delight of those who mourn:
teach us how to worship, teach us how to love,
living in the presence of angels from above.

Blessed child among us, waiting to be born,
in whom we are healed and all our sorrows borne:
help us live with love, in peace and reconciled.
By your birth in us, everyone’s a holy child.

Blessed child within me, waiting to be born,
bringing gifts and wonders with the light of morn,
heaven springing in me, new life yet to grow:
child of holy promise, oh how I love you so!



Magnificat (Tune: Greensleeves- What Child Is This)

My soul sings out in joy to God, who’s favored me, so lowly.
The Mighty One has kindly done great things, for God is holy.
This, this is grace outlaid, God’s mercy in the promise made,
Praise, praise, the Faithful One, and magnify our savior!

God brings the powerful down from thrones while lifting up the lowly.
God feeds the poor, and the rich no more receive, but the hungry solely.
Praise! Praise the Mighty one for all the things that God has done
Love, love will honor God, who promises mercy forever.

December 15, 2024

Lectionary Texts

Zephaniah 3. 14-20 — Rejoice! God is in your midst, rejoicing over you. “I will bring you home.”

Isaiah 12.2-6 — God, you were angry, but you comforted me. We will draw water from the well of salvation.

Philippians 4.4-7 — Rejoice always. Let your gentleness show. Don’t worry, but pray. The peace of God will guard your hearts.

Luke 3. 7-18 John the Baptist: Bear fruits worthy of repentance…. The ax at the root of the trees…. Advice to live justly… One is coming, winnowing fork in his hand

Preaching Thoughts

Zephaniah
        The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally “joy” Sunday. Here’s your joy. We rejoice in God—who rejoices in us! The reason for joy is that exiles are being promised freedom from oppression, freedom to go home. The promise is to us as well. We are oppressed by a complex of powers that enslave us: the grip of our ego, the power of our sin, inner powers of fear, guilt, shame, despair, and our addictions and attachments, and external forces of cultural, economic, racial, political and even religious manipulation and control. And we are in exile, alienated from our true lives, our true selves, and distanced from God. The good news Christ brings us is that God sets us free from all that and brings us “home“ to God, home to ourselves. So, yeah, we have reason to rejoice.

Isaiah
       This is a pretty huge turnaround, an amazing unexpected gift, in fourteen words: “Though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, and you comforted me.” Wow. There’s some cause for joy.
       “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” We get our sustenance from God’s love. Our prayer, our faith, our life, is water from the well of God’s grace. Go back to that well. Over and over, go there. The more you draw, the purer the water gets.

Philippians
        Notice how joy, gentleness and prayer are intertwined. We rejoice in God’s grace. And because we trust that grace, instead of worrying we pray. We are not troubled. And because we trust God’s grace, we don’t gel selfish, defensive, competitive or manipulative. We can dare to be gentle because God has been gentle with us.

Luke
       The tradition is “joy” this Sunday, but this passage doesn’t seem very happy. It’s all about repentance, axes and broods of vipers and unquenchable fire. Yikes. John really knows how to party, huh? But maybe the problem is that we’re so afraid repentance is difficult, unpleasant and gloomy. Actually repentance is joyful. If we really trust God’s grace, if we really rejoice because God has turned anger at us into comfort for us, then repentance is a joyful return from exile, a return to God, return to our true, deep selves. It isn’t gruesome for a gardener to trim flowers, for an orchardist to prune trees to bear greater fruit. Repentance is pruning—or rather allowing God to prune— the dead stuff in our lives, the unfruitful things that inhibit our bearing the fruit of love. Pruning our sin liberates us. We become more truly ourselves by letting God take away fear, shame, desire for power, and all that stuff. So the ax at the root of the trees is welcome. The unquenchable fire is a gift. God brings us to the threshing floor and gathers our grain into God’s grace, and the chaff of our lives God burns away. It is indeed “good news.”
       People question John about what they should do, and John is clear: it’s not about piety. It’s not ”just between me and God.” It has everything to do with how we treat other people, especially the poor and people with less power than we have. Preparing for the Coming One is about justice.
       “I baptize you with water… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” In Advent we’re not awaiting a cute little baby. We’re awaiting someone who will upend our lives and set our hearts on fire. Advent is a season of transformation. Which is also what repentance is. While we are crying with the prophet to prepare the way in the wilderness, God’s is preparing a way in us.

Call to Worship / Lighting the Advent Candle

See Advent Resources for Advent Candle prayers, Advent wreath prayers, and music, including Eucharistic prayers and responses and weekly litanies.

1.
Leader: Eternal God, Timeless One, come into this time.
All: Loving Christ, you who are coming,
enter in with your grace.
Holy Spirit, Flame of Life, baptize us in your mystery.
Burn in us with love and justice.
Prepare your way in us. Amen.

2.
Reader: Reads Philippians 4.4-7
Leader: We pray that this Advent candle may shine in our hearts with joy.
         All: Even in the darkness we shine with joy, for the Light is coming.
Even in the cold our hearts are warm with joy, for you are with us.
          Even amidst evil and cruelty we bear joy and not despair into the world.
         God, we open our hearts to your grace. Fill us with the light of your joy.

3. [Philippians 4.4-7]
Reader: Loving God, we light this candle as a prayer of hope in your coming.
         All: Kindle your spirit in us, that we may always be prayerful.
We light this candle as an invitation to the Prince of Peace.
         Kindle your grace in us, that we may always be gentle.
We light this candle in joy for your coming among us.
         Kindle your love in us, that we may always be joyful.
         Come, O Sovereign of Joy, and rejoice with us!

4.
READING [from Zephaniah 3.14-18]
Rejoice, O Israel! Do not fear,
God, the Holy One is in your midst.
God says, “I will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in my love;
I will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.”
    RESPONSE
Leader: We light a candle of joy in this wreath of life,
as a sign of God’s joy in us, and our hope in God.
      All: With joy and hope we await the coming of Christ.
The prophet calls us to repentance as we prepare.
      We gladly repent, that like this candle
      we may be baptized with the Holy Sprit, and with fire.

5.
READING [from Zephaniah 3.14-18]
Rejoice, O Israel! Do not fear,
God, the Holy One is in your midst.
God says, “I will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in my love;
I will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.”
    RESPONSE
Leader:, As you look upon us, God, kindle in us the light of your love.
      All: As we await the coming of Christ open our hearts to your joy.
Grant us a spirit of repentance, that we may prepare in faith and confidence.
      As we await the coming of the light,
      kindle in us the courage to be transformed by hope and joy.
      We worship with gladness in the light of your coming.

6. [Philippians 4.4-7]
READING: Rejoice in God always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Beloved is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
    RESPONSE
Leader: Kindle your joy in us, O God.
       All: By the grace of your nearness, instill your gentleness in us.
Heal our worries, lift our hopes, and hear our prayers.
       Receive our thanksgiving, and our silent supplications.
Friends, in the light of the One who is coming,
may the peace that passes all understanding
guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
God of love and abundance, you come to us so that your joy may be in us, and our joy may be full. Fill us with your Spirit, that we may know your delight and rejoice in your presence and your grace. Speak your Word to us and bless us that we may always be joyful, gentle and prayerful, in the spirit of Christ. Amen.

2.
Gracious and ever-present God, we await the coming of your Anointed One, and we worship in the company of the One who is always with us. We await your Word, and yet your Word is within us. We long for your Realm of Grace, and yet even now it is hidden among us. Open our hearts to your Word, to your grace, to your Presence. Amen.

3.
Gracious God, John the Baptist calls us to repentance in preparation for the coming of your Messiah. As the people came to hear him, so we come now to hear your Word. Bless us with open hearts and minds, that as the scriptures are read and your good news proclaimed we may hear with joy what you are saying to us today. Amen.

4.
God of love, prepare your way in us. You set us free from all that enslaves us; help us to claim our freedom. You who bring back exiles, return us to our true live sin you. You who call us to bear fruit, prune away whatever is fruitless in us, whatever inhibits our love. God, you who delight in us, set free our joy. God of love, prepare your way in us. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(Suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, or invitation to prayer)

1.
Among the weeds and brambles of our thoughts
is the fruit of your truth.
Clear away what is not life-giving,
that we may hear.
Prepare your way into our hearts.

2.
Surely God is our salvation.
      We will trust and not be afraid.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
      With joy we come to the well.
      Thirsting for your grace, we lower our prayers
      into the deep, clear waters of your Word.
Sing for joy, for God is in your midst.
      We come with joy to the well.

Prayer of Confession

1.
The grace of God is with you.
      And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
      Gracious God,
      We confess the the dead and fruitless branches in our lives,
      shriveled by the wintery storms of our fears and desires.
      Prune the branches of our hearts,
      that we may bear fruit in your Spirit.
      Forgive our sin, heal our hearts,
      and be born in us again,
      that by your grace we may bear your light.
      O come to us, Beloved, and save us! Amen.
SILENT PRAYER… THE WORD OF GRACE

2.
[May be read responsively or by the pastor alone:]
Dearly Beloved, the ax lying at the root of the trees
is not for punishment, but pruning.
Therefore, trusting in God’s tender mercy, we examine ourselves,
that we may see ourselves clearly through the eyes of love.
Grateful for your goodness, we reflect on those parts of our lives
that bear good fruit, and we give thanks.
…Silent reflection…
Trusting in your mercy, we reflect on the dead branches of our lives,
the barren or hurtful parts, the parts that do not bear good fruit,
and we seek your grace.
…Silent reflection…
O God, prune the branches of our hearts according to your grace,
that we may flourish in doing your will.
Draw from the well of our salvation and water the trees of our souls,
that we may faithfully bear fruit,
and delight in your love, in the grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Reading

[Isaiah 12. 2-6]
Leader: Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid.
      All: For God, the Holy One, is my strength and my might;
       God has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
And you will say in that day:
       Give thanks to the Holy One, call on God’s name
       make known God’s deeds among the nations;
       proclaim that God’s name is exalted.
Sing praises to God, for God has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
       Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion
       for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Response / Creed / Affirmation

Leader: God of justice, we await your coming.
All: Prepare your way in us.Prepare a way of justice.
Prepare a way of love.Prune what is fruitless, burn away what is dead.
Thresh what is unneeded out of our souls.
Lay your ax at the root of all that enslaves us.
Set us free to hope boldly, to serve faithfully, to love deeply.
Set free our souls. Set free our joy.
Come, cleansing fire of God,
and prepare your way in us. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer

May God be with you.
      And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
      We lift them up to the Beloved.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One our God.
      It is good to give God thanks and praise.

Gracious God, we rejoice, for you are in our midst.
     You rejoice over us with gladness and renew us in your love.
By your Covenant you have taken us as your own.
     You set us free and ask us to put the axe to the roots
     of all oppression and injustice.
You have prepared the way for us in Jesus, your Christ.
     Therefore at his invitation we come to this feast
     to draw water from the well of our salvation,
     singing your praise with all Creation.

            [Sanctus, spoken or sung:]
        Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and might,
        heaven and earth are full of your glory.
        Hosanna in the highest.
        Blessed is the one who comes in the name of God.
        Hosanna in the highest.
               [or alternate version]

Blessed are all who come in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ,
who loved and taught, who fed the hungry and healed the broken.
      His gentleness was known to everyone,
      and he granted to us a peace that surpasses understanding.
For his prophetic love he was crucified,
but you raised him from the dead,
and he comes among us and invites us to this feast of joy.

           [The Blessing and Covenant] *

As long was we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection until he comes again.
      Remembering these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
      we offer ourselves in joy, in union with his offering for us,
proclaiming the mystery of our faith.

             [Memorial Acclamation, spoken or sung:]
        Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
                     —or—
        Dying, Christ destroyed our death. Rising, Christ restores our life.
        Christ will come again in glory.
             [or alternative]

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the Body and Blood of Christ.
      Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
      that we may be the Body of Christ for the world,
      fearless in repentance, and courageous in justice.
      Baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire,
      that we may bear fruit, the fruit of your love and joy in us,
      for the sake of the healing of the world.

     [Spoken or sung]
Amen.

_________________

* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]

On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.

Prayer of Dedication / Sending or after Communion

1.
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have filled us with the joy of your love, the taste of your delight in us. Send us into the world to share your joy, to serve you in love for one another, and to wait for your coming in gentleness, confidence, patience and joy, in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

2.
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Even as we await your coming, you have fed us with your presence. Send us into the world, confident to live in your promised Realm until it is fulfilled, as signs of your coming, in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

3. (Benediction- Philippians 4.)
Beloved, rejoice in the Beloved always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Suggested Songs

(Click on titles to view, and hear an audio clip, on the Music page.)

Drink from the Wells (Original song)
[May be used as a repeating chant.]

Drink with joy from the wells of salvation.
Trust and do not be afraid.
God, your strength, has become your salvation.
Trust, and do not be afraid.


Prepare Your Way in Me (Original song)

Prepare your way in me, Love, prepare your way in me.
Prepare your way in me, Love, prepare your way in me, my Love.

1. Make my rough places smooth, the crooked make straight, my Love.
2. Lay your hand at my root, that I may bear fruit, my Love.
3. Come and empty my heart of all things but you, my Love.
4. Guide my feet in your way; fill me with your peace, my Love.

December 8, 2024

Lectionary Texts

Malachi 3. 1-4 — I am sending my messenger, like a refiner’s fire.

Luke 1. 68-79 — Zechariah’s song. God has raised up a savior…that we might serve God without fear… and you, child, shall be a prophet, preparing a way… God’s dawn will break upon us, leading us into peace

Philippians 1.3-11 — The One who began a good work in you will bring it to completion… May your love overflow…

Luke 3.1-6 — John the Baptist: “Prepare the way.” The crooked made straight, the rough made smooth.

Preaching Thoughts

Malachi
       The fire of God is never a destroying fire, but a refining fire. Even the “consuming flames” we most fear consume only what we need to be rid of but can’t let go of ourselves. It sounds awful, but it’s a gift. We don’t have to be “pure” to be acceptable to God: God purifies us! So much of the spiritual life is not about achieving anything or attaining or acquiring anything, but letting go. Shedding. Allowing all that is not the pure gold of our souls to be burned away. Letting go can be painful, but the freedom it affords is worth it.

Luke 1
       Sometimes I think Luke is a musical. He’s got songs in every scene, often in the style of those good old Broadway shows—that is, the Hebrew Bible. Here’s Zechariah’s song at the birth of John, in the style of the prophets. It’s sort of an overture, introducing all the themes Luke will hit in his Gospel. The first is that God has sent salvation, as promised in the Covenant, to rescue us from our enemies. We might think of our enemies as political enemies; Luke and his audience surely thought of Roman occupation. But I think of our enemies as whatever diminishes life. We are oppressed by a web of interlocking powers that enslave us, powers that include inner forces of guilt, shame, fear, attachments and desires, as well as all kinds of political, cultural and even religious forces that manipulate us, that inhibit our love and freedom, that diminish the life of Spirit in us, and that keep us from God. It’s these enemies that Jesus comes to save us from. In his loving self-giving, in his forgiveness and healing, we see God’s love poured out for us, that sets us free from all that crap that oppresses us. Salvation is a living relationship with God that sets us free, free to trust God and love profoundly like Jesus. Luke never defines salvation, but he’ll sing about it here, and at the nativity, and then not mention it again until we’ve seen it in action, and Jesus will proclaim that “salvation has come to this house” with Zacchaeus (Lk. 19.9). The point of salvation is not to get our sins “paid for” or to go to heaven but to “serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness before God all our days” (1.75). This is the life Jesus makes possible and invites us into. That’s what we anticipate in Advent: the coming of the One who can set us free.
       The second part of Zechariah’s song is addressed to John—and us: Prepare a way for God by showing people forgiveness. The dawn of God’s grace is coming, to save those who live in the shadow of death, and to guide us in the way of peace. Zechariah sings for us the promise of Advent.

Philippians
       Some people talk about having “been saved,” as if it happened one day. But salvation is a life-long relationship. It’s something that God has already begun in us, but is still being brought to completion. The hope of Advent is looking toward this ongoing process, the unknown but reliable future that awaits us because God is at work in us and for us. Our love will increasingly overflow (1.9), and this will not only prepare us for the day of the coming of Christ—the overflowing of our love is the coming of Christ into the world.

Luke 3
       Luke takes pains to identify the political power structure of Judea and Galilee and then makes it clear: the Word of God came to someone outside that power structure, a nobody in the wilderness. Luke sets the scene in his musical, and then lets loose with another song: Isaiah steps on stage and sings his “Prepare the Way” song. That song has a theme Mary will repeat in her song: that God raises the lowly and brings down the powerful, that the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth. The message in Isaiah was a word of hope to people who were in exile: a broad, smooth road through the wilderness, on which God would come to bring them home! It’s a lovely image for travelers who welcome road improvements, but like any highway project, there’s a mess first. It’s disrupting work for the crooked to be made straight. There’s a lot of demo involved before the remodel. It’s a mess to interrupt unjust systems and replace them with justice. It’s disrupting for us to go through repentance and make our lives straight when we’ve gone crooked. For all those rough places in the world to be smoothed out, there will be a lot of upheaval, resistance, conflict, and letting go. Crisis, even. But that’s the world-changing promise we hold in our hearts in Advent: that God will change things, including us. The change, as hard as it may be, will give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace. That’s the welcome, awful, awesome, death-and-resurrection change that we anticipate and prepare for in Advent.

Call to Worship

Click here for Advent Resources: Advent Candle Lighting prayers (two series), Advent Wreath prayers, and music including Eucharistic prayers & responses, weekly litanies and more.

1. [from Malachi 3.1-4]
Reading: “See, I will send my messenger,
who will prepare the way before me.
Then suddenly the One you are seeking will come to the temple;
the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,”
says God Almighty.
But who can endure the day of that coming?
Who can stand when the Messenger appears?
For God’s chosen will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap,
and will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;
and will purify the people and refine them like gold and silver.
RESPONSE
Leader: God of love, purify us in the refining fire of your Spirit.
       All: Set us free from all that does not help us serve you.
       Remove from us all that is not love.
       By your Spirit living in us, help us prepare a way for your coming.
       Alleluia! Come, O Jesus, come!

2. [Philippians 1.6, 9-11]
Reading: I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
+
CANDLE SONG The Promises of God (2 Peter 1.19)

RESPONSE
Leader: Holy One, light of our peace, this Advent candle shines to prepare your way.
       All: Prepare a way to come to us; redeem us in our darkness.
Prepare your way around us, that the crooked be made straight.
       Prepare your way within us, that our rough places be made smooth.
       God of grace and love, may all flesh see your salvation. Alleluia!

3.
READING: [Luke 1.78-79]
By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
RESPONSE
Leader: God of mercy, your light dawns upon us.
       All: We open our hearts in joy.
Your grace gives light in our darkness.
       We rise from the shadow of death.
You lead us into a new day.
      Guide us into the way of peace.


4.
Leader: God of promise, God of Mystery,
you have sent a messenger to awaken us.
      All: May the promise of your dawn awaken our hearts and minds.
      May the light of your promise guide our steps and lead us toward you.
      May the joy of your coming sustain us and uplift us.
God of Love, God of Presence,
you have given us a message for the world.
      May the light of your coming shine within us.
      May your Spirit, alive in us, make us signs of your coming.
      O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and dawn within and among us now.

5.
Leader: We light this candle as an act of hope.
All: In the darkness and gloom the light of your coming rises.
Even in the mysterious darkness,
the light of your healing moves along roads and rivers and nerves,
deep within silent places.
In the darkness you are here.
Come, O Light, and make us whole.
Dear Child, prophet of the most high, grant us healing and forgiveness.
By your tender mercy, may your dawn from on high break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Collect / Prayer of the Day

1.
As we prepare our homes for the holidays let us also prepare our hearts. Let every decoration, card and cookie be an act of readiness for your coming. God of love, help us prepare a room for Christ to be born in us this holy season. Speak the Word to us that will make room in our hearts for love. Amen.

2.
God of love, your prophet cries to prepare a way for you. In the wilderness of our hearts, in the rough places of our society, prepare your way with your life-changing Word. Speak to us, and make the crooked straight, for the sake of your mercy. Amen.

3.
God of life, the prophet cries that a way be made for the coming of the Holy One. Make a way into our hearts. Speak to us and re-create us. We throw open the windows of our souls, that we may hear you, that the light of your dawning may flood our hearts. O come, thou Dayspring, enlighten us, who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

4.
Holy One, you send your prophets among us to speak to us. You send messengers to awaken us, to alert us, to attract us to your light. In Scripture now you speak to us, and call us to new lives. Help us to listen and hear, to receive and be transformed. This is the news we have been waiting for. Speak to us; we want to hear. Amen.

5.
Stir up our hearts, O God, and prepare us for your coming. May the mountains and valleys of our hearts be leveled out, the rough places be made smooth by the healing power of your Word in us. Speak your Word, and we shall be healed. Amen.

6.
Gracious God, through all our doubt and despair prepare a way for hope.
Through our selfishness and fear, prepare a way for love.
Through our resistance and control, prepare a way for grace.
Through our anger and enmity, prepare a way for peace.
O You Who Are Coming, prepare your way in us. Amen.

Listening Prayer

(Suitable as a Collect, preparation for hearing scriptures, confession, or invitation to prayer)

1.
Creator God, World-Maker,
World-Changer, Heart-Changer,
prepare your way in me.
Make the crooked straight,
the rough places smooth.
Prepare your way in me.

2.
God, we are in exile
from peace, from justice,
from our hope, from our true selves.
Prepare a way for our return.
Bring to completion what you have begun in us.
Prepare your way into us;
enter our hearts, and refine them,
that our love may overflow.
Guide our feet into the way of peace.

Prayer of Confession

The grace of God be with you.
       And also with you.
Trusting in God’s tender mercy, let us confess our sin to God with one another.
       Gracious God,
       we confess the darkness and cold in our lives.
       We have not lived at peace with you, with our neighbors,
       or even with our own souls.
       Forgive our sin, heal our hearts,
       and grant us your peace.
       Be born in us again,
       that by your grace we may live in your light.
       O come to us, Beloved, and save us! Amen.

Reading

CANTICLE (Luke 1. 68-79)

Sung Response: O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.

Blessed be God, the God of Israel,
who has visited us as God’s own people, and redeemed us.
        God has raised up a mighty savior fur us
        in the house of God’s servant David.
So God spoke through the holy prophets from of old,
that we would be saved from our enemies,
and from the hand of those who hate us.
       Thus God has shown the mercy
        that God promised to our ancestors.
God has remembered God’s holy Covenant,
the promise God made to Abraham:
        that being rescued from the powers that destroy us,
        we might serve God without fear,
        in holiness and righteousness,
        in God’s presence all our days.
               Response

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the most high:
you will go before the Holy One to prepare God’s ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to God’s people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
        By the tender mercy of God,
        the dawn from on high will break upon us
        to give light to those who sit in darkness
        and in the shadow of death,
        to guide our feet into the way of peace.
               Response

Eucharistic Prayer

Note: Even though it’s Advent people are eager to jump ahead and sing Christmas Carols. I’ve addressed this with Advent service music to familiar carol tunes: Advent Table Songs (invitation to communion) four whole Eucharistic Prayers and 24 sets of Eucharistic Responses (Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation and Amen).

1.
Beloved, God is with you.
       And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
      We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Faithful One, our God.
      It is good to give God thanks and praise.

We thank you, God, for in the beginning in the darkness and void,
you brought forth light. You prepared Creation for us.
      With the light of love, in the image of love, you created us.
In the darkness and chaos of our brokenness you have sent us a savior
who has set us free from all that diminishes life.
      You judge the forces of oppression and set all your beloved free.
      You level the ridges and fill in the canyons,
      and make a way smooth for your people.
You prepare for us a way toward justice,
and walk with us on that path, and guide our feet in the way of peace.
      We long for such peace in our lives.
      So at your invitation we come to this table you have prepared for us
      to feast in celebration of our freedom, and to sing your praise:
                  [Sanctus]

Blessed is the one who comes in your name,
and blessed is Jesus, your Christ, who embodied your love.
      He made room for the poor and outcast,
      and held a sacred space for those who were broken.
He died and rose again,
and promised to prepare a place for us.       
      In his love he showed us how to live, and prepared a way for us to follow.               [The Blessing and Covenant…]

Jesus said “Do this in remembrance of me.”
As often as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection until he comes again.
      Remembering these, your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
      we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
      as a living and holy sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us,
      as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
               [Memorial Acclamation]

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
      Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
      that we may be for the world the Body of Christ.
In this meal prepare in us a place for your love,
that we may go before you, proclaiming forgiveness,
and bearing your light to those who dwell in darkness
and in the shadow of death.      
       In this meal, may your mercy dawn upon us,
      and lead us in the way of peace.
                         [Amen]

                         _______________

2.
May God be with you.
      And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
      We lift them up to the Beloved.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One our God.
      It is good to give God thanks and praise.

We thank you, God, for you create us in the image of your love.
      You make Covenant with us to be our God,
      and to set us free from oppression.
You guide us in creating a new realm of justice and mercy.
      You give us Jesus: to proclaim our forgiveness,
      to change our hearts, to guide our feet in the way of peace,
      to give us your Spirit, to heal your world.
Therefore with all creation we sing your praise.            
                       [Sanctus]

We thank you for the gift of Jesus, your Christ, who came among us in your love.
      He loved and healed, he taught with prophetic power.
He was crucified, but you raised him from the dead.
      He lives among us, refining our hearts,
      that our love may overflow..

         […The Blessing and Covenant…]

With gratitude we remember your mighty acts in Jesus Christ.
      In praise and thanksgiving we offer ourselves
      as a living and holy sacrifice,
      in union with Christ’s gift for us.
We proclaim with joy the mystery at the heart of our faith.
                [Memorial Acclamation]

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the Body and Blood of the Beloved, Jesus Christ.
      Pour out your Holy Spirit on us, that we may be the Body of Christ,
      refined by the fire of your grace, overflowing with your love,
      and joining you in smoothing out the rough places in this world.
      By your Spirit in us, prepare the way of justice and peace.
                            [Amen]
                         _______________
3.
Blessed be God, the God of Israel,
who has visited us and redeemed us.
       God spoke through the holy prophets from of old,
       that we would be saved from our enemies,
       and from the hand of those who hate us.
Thus God has shown the mercy
that God promised to our ancestors.
       God has remembered God’s holy Covenant,
       the promise God made to Abraham.
        Therefore with one voice we sing God’s praise.
                       [Sanctus]

Blessed are all who come in God’s name,
and blessed is Jesus, who enfleshed God’s Covenant with us.
        God has raised up a mighty savior fur us
        in the house of God’s servant David.
        that being rescued from the powers that destroy us,
        we might serve God without fear,
        in holiness and righteousness,
        in God’s presence all our days.

                     [The Blessing sand Covenant]

Remembering your mighty acts in Jesus,
we offer ourselves as we proclaim the mystery at the heart of our faith:
                     [Memorial Acclamation]

Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts,
that they may be for us the Body of Christ.
       Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
       that we may be the Body of Christ for the world.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the most high:
you will go before the Holy One to prepare God’s ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to God’s people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
        By the tender mercy of God,
        the dawn from on high will break upon us
        to give light to those who sit in darkness
        and in the shadow of death,
        to guide our feet into the way of peace.
               [Amen]
              ————————————

* The Blessing and Covenant
[I usually don’t print the words. I want people to be looking at the bread, not their bulletins.]

On the night in which he gave himself for us
Jesus took bread, blessed it,. broke it, and gave it to his disciples,saying,
“Take and eat; this is my body.”
In the same way, after the supper he took the cup,
blessed it with thanks and gave it to them, saying,
“Drink of this, all of you. This is my blood,
poured out for you and for many, in a new Covenant,
which is the forgiveness of sin.”
As long as we break this bread and share this cup
we remember his death and resurrection, until he comes again.

Prayer after Communion

1.
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. You have visited and redeemed us, according to your promise in Christ. You have saved us from all that would diminish our lives, so that we may serve you without fear, in holiness, in your presence, all our days. Send us into the world now to go before you to prepare your ways. By your tender mercy, may your dawn break upon us and within us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. Amen.

2.
Leader: We bless you, God, for you have visited and redeemed your people.
     You have raised up a savior for us,
     and saved us from all that diminishes life,
     so that we may serve you in holiness without fear.
And you, children, will be called the prophets of the Most High;
for you will go before our God
to prepare the ways of the Promised One,
to give knowledge of salvation to God’s people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
     By the tender mercy of our God,
     the dawn from on high will break upon us,
     to give light to those who sit in darkness
      and in the shadow of death,
      to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Benediction

[Luke 1.78-79]
Leader: By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
All: to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Suggested Songs

(Click titles to view songs and hear audio clips on the Music page.)

All songs with “Advent” tag, especially:

Benedictus (Song of Zechariah) [Luke 1.68-79]
        (Tune Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us)

Bles-sed be the God of Is-ra-el! You
came among us to redeem.
You have raised a mighty savior for us,
as the prophets used to dream.
As you promised, you have saved us,
so that we may serve with grace,
unafraid, with holy spirits,
in your presence all our days.

You, child, go before our God as prophet:
show the people mercy’s way,
so they know they are forgiven, saved and
brought into a brand new day.
Day is dawning—tender mercy!
Grace and light of God, increase!
Come to those in death and shadows.
Guide us in the ways of peace.

Blessed Be Our God [Luke 1.68-79] (Original song)

Blessed be our God, who’s come to us,
raising a mighty savior for us,
as of old God promised,
to save us from the enemies of life,
freeing us to serve in holiness.

Serve, child as a prophet of our God,
going before to make a way:
go to all the people;
show them their salvation from God,
show them the forgiveness of their sin.

By the tender mercy of our God,
dawn from on high will break upon us,
giving light to people
who sit in darkness and the shade of death,
guiding us into the way of peace.


Prepare Your Way in Me   [Luke 3.1-6]   (Original song)

Prepare your way in me, Love, prepare your way in me.
Prepare your way in me, Love, prepare your way in me, my Love.

1. Make my rough places smooth, the crooked make straight, my Love.
2. Lay your hand at my root, that I may bear fruit, my Love.
3. Come and empty my heart of all things but you, my Love.
4. Guide my feet in your way; fill me with your peace, my Love.

The Promises of God [1 Peter 1.19] (Original song)

Pay attention my friends, to the promises of God,
like a candle shining in a dark place,
’till the morning star rises brightly in your hearts,
so that even in the darkness you may walk in the light of God.