December 20, 2015The Force Awakens

Luke 1:5-13, 57-80

www.riverofhopehutchinson.orgWorship on Sundays at 10:30am

GatheringMusic to Prepare Us for Worship

Gathering Songs “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah” & “Bethlehem Highway”

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Welcome, Worship Orientation 101, Connection Cards

No Longer Strangers Prayer (Based on Matthew 25)Blessed be God, the one who slipped into skin and was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned. “When was it that we saw you, Jesus, hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you? And Jesus said, ‘truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’” Stir up in us the wisdom and courage to see you, Jesus, in unknown places and people. Amen.

Meet Someone NewWe practice being Christians by extending our hand in friendship to people we may not know very well or at all. If we can’t practice it here in worship, where else can we do it? Go ahead, make the first move. “Hi, my name is ____________. You’re new to me.” OR “Can I introduce myself to you?” are good ways to start.

Reprise of “Bethlehem Highway” to gather everyone back together.

Lighting of the Advent WreathIn this season of waiting for Jesus to come, we watch as the light slowly comes into the darkness. One candle at a time, the darkness is dispersed. Each week, one additional candle is lit by someone new in our midst, growing in faith: Someone newly baptized; newly confirmed; new to River of Hope; newly restored to health.

Those lighting the candle will lead this litany.In the beginning was the Word—spoken and breathed, a promise made and kept.Trust the good news—God’s promise is true!The Word was in the beginning, and through him all things come into being.Eternal and near at hand, already and not-yet, God’s promise is the foundation of all life.Trust in God! Wait with faith, giving voice to Christ’s love for all.

“One Voice” is sung as they light the candle.

Confession and ForgivenessLet us confess that God is God and we are not. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we speak the truth of who we are, we are brought again to the knowledge of how madly God loves us.

Silence is kept for reflection and self-examination

God of Mercy,We confess that we don’t have everything figured out. We confess that we are not holy like you are holy. We confess that we try to not need you. We confess that we try to not need each other. Forgive us for the ways in which we do not act like your beloved children and bring us again to resurrection.

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God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love – loves you as you are. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father, + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Amen

GreetingThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the community of the Holy Spirit is with you all. And also with you.

Prayer of the DayLet us pray: God of the prophets, you sent John into the world to proclaim the coming of your son. Give us ears to hear the proclamations of your promises and eyes to see your presence in this world. Amen.

The WordTo the Narrator: please tell the congregation what their parts are before announcing the reading.

Narrator: Our story and God’s story continues today in the book of Luke 1:5-13, 57-80.ALL: Your mercies are new each morning, Lord; your faithfulness lasts forever. Pronunciation Guide: Zechariah: zak-uh-RI-uh Abijah: uh-BI-juh

Narrator: In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years. 8Once when he was serving as priest before God and his section was on duty, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and offer incense. 10Now at the time of the incense offering, the whole assembly of the people was praying outside. 11Then there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified; and fear overwhelmed him. 13But the angel said to him, ALL: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.”Narrator:57Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. 60But his mother said,Side 1: “No; he is to be called John.” Narrator: 61They said to her, Side 2: “None of your relatives has this name.”Narrator: 62Then they began motioning to his father to find out what name he wanted to give him. 63He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, ALL: “His name is John.”

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Narrator: And all of them were amazed. 64Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God. 65Fear came over all their neighbors, and all these things were talked about throughout the entire hill country of Judea. 66All who heard them pondered them and said, ALL: “What then will this child become?” Narrator: For, indeed, the hand of the Lord was with him.67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy: Side 1: 68“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. Side 2: He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Side 1: 72Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.Side 2: 76And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. ALL: 78By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Narrator: 80The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day he appeared publicly to Israel.

Narrator: Stay tuned for the continuing saga that is our story and God’s story.ALL: Your mercies are new each morning, Lord; your faithfulness lasts forever.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

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Labyrinth & Star Prayers

Sing “God of Mercy”, pages 10-11 in Holden Evening Prayer & “Let My Prayer Rise Up”, pages 4-7 in Holden Evening Prayer

As we sing our prayers, a leader will pray for all the world in song with our sung and hummed response “God of mercy hold us in love.” As we pray, you are invited into the prayer practice of your choice: 1. Pray through the yellow sheet of prayer concerns; 2. Use the paper labyrinth as a way to pray – there are helpful hints on the back of the page if this is new to you; 3. Physically walk the labyrinth at the back of the worship space. 4. Pray using a paper star and put it on the wall.

The FeastOffering All that we have and all that we are comes from God. Let us give back to God in a spirit of generosity. There will be enough.Please put your offering of gratitude to God in the plate as it passes by. Prayerfully consider giving a consistent financial gift to River of Hope so our community cannot just survive but thrive.

Offering Song "The Magnificat", pages 8-9 in Holden Evening PrayerAs we joyfully give back to God, we also prepare to set the table.

Setting the Table

As the kids help set the table, they make a circle around the table and lead the congregation in the table prayer written by Martin Luther:Let’s pray: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. And let these gifts to us be blest. Amen.

Thanksgiving at the TableThe Lord is with youAnd also with youLift up your hearts!We lift them to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give God thanks and praise

Words to Bless the FeastOn the night in which he was betrayed…

O God of resurrection and new life:Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine.

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Bless this feast.Grace our table with your presence. Amen.

The Lord’s PrayerYou are invited to join hands with those around you in prayer. If you are not the hand-holding type, then simply fold your hands in front of you or hang onto this bulletin as you pray.

Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread.Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.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.

Invitation to the Meal You are welcome to this meal. If you hunger and thirst for grace and mercy that comes through Jesus Christ, then Christ has set this table just for you. Bring all that you are and all that you have to the table. You will be fed. You are forgiven. There is enough.

Please, at this time, also use the Labyrinth to pray.

Communion Songs/Hymns “Emmanuel” & “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying”

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Prayer After CommunionLet us pray.Loving God, thank you for the gift of grace received at this table. Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of the world in need. Draw us near to you through your body and blood, through your presence in this world here and now. Amen.

The SendingWhy does our church exist? What is our purpose? We go out to transform lives through Jesus Christ.

BenedictionChildren of all ages are invited up to bless the congregation.The Lord bless you and keep you.The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.

Sending Song “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness”

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Go in peace – prepare the way of the Lord.

Thanks be to GodPlease, at this time, also use the Labyrinth to pray.

Music to Send You Out

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