Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means “Coming.” Amy will light the Advent Candle of Hope. Advent is a time of preparing ourselves for the coming of Christ at Christmas and for the coming of God every moment of our lives. Everyone is invited. You are loved just as you are and just as you are becoming.
Prelude Adam: God be with you. All: And also with you. Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen Lighting of the Peace Candle – Charlie Hinkle and Adam Adam: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. Charlie will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle… Charlie: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle… All: We pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our communities, in our nations, and in our worlds. Scripture Readings – Heather Heath Mark 13:24-37 Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope – Amy Brinkley Amy: O God, we light the first candle of Advent, the Candle of Hope. We kindle it with hope. We long for you to come to our world, to break through and lead us with compassion, justice, and peace. But we don’t know the hour when you will come. All: So until then, let us be the hope and the light. May we shine in the world with God’s love. Amen. *Call to Worship – Charlie Charlie: Please join us in the call to worship… Charlie: Advent is a time of preparing for the birth of Christ at Christmas. All: Let us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. Charlie: Advent reminds us that Jesus will come again. All: Let us prepare our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. Charlie: Advent reminds us that Jesus already comes to us in the stranger, in the poor, in the vulnerable, in the enemy, in you and in me. All: Let us prepare our hearts and minds in the coming of Christ. Amen. Children’s Moment *Passing of the Peace – Charlie Charlie: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another. Charlie: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you. All: And also with you. Song – O Come, O Come Emmanuel Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen Prayers of the People – Adam (After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”) Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Charlie Our God, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Sermon – Advent Hope: God Is Not a Threat. God Is Love. *Unison Benediction – Charlie Hinkle May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace. This day and forever more. Amen -Numbers 6:24-26