print bulletin Prelude – Away in a Manger, played by Jean Herrera Adam: God be with you. All: And also with you. Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen Lighting of the Peace Candle – Erika Beseda 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. Erika will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle. Erika: 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 – Rae Parker Luke 1:46-55 *Call to Worship – Erika Erika: Please join us in the call to worship… Erika: We come to prepare the way… All: The way for Christ. Erika: Mary prepared the way for Christ to enter into the world. All: May we prepare the way for Christ. Erika: Mary birthed Christ into the world. All: May we be like Mary and birth Christ into the world, too. Amen Children’s Moment Lighting of the Avent Candle – Kate Nelson Kate: Joy is the Celebration given by God through the light of the world. All: Joy illuminates our lives. Kate: Mary was full of joy as she birthed the light of God into the world. All: Joy is the celebration of God’s light that is all around us. Kate: Joy reveals the hope of our hearts. All: In a world beset by fear, dismay, and disillusionment, we light the candle of joy. Amen. *Passing of the Peace – Erika Erika: I invite you to join me in the passing of the peace…Close your eyes…breathe…breathe again. Put your hands on your heart. In your mind’s eye, imagine the light that is in all of us. Some might call it the Soul or Conscience or Essence or maybe you call it God. Take a piece of that light and hold it close. Now hold out your hands, imagine the light, your light, traveling from your fingers out across the world, like a sun ray. As the rays travel, accept the light that is offered to you, as you offer light, as the light returns to you… Breathe. Breathe again. Hold the light close. The Peace of Christ be with you… All: And also with you. Song: Light One Candle – Rhonda, Dave, and Jeff 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 - Erika 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 – How to Birth God into the World *Unison Benediction – Erika 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
