Join us online live at 11am on Sunday at http://facebook.com/CommaChurch

A caution regarding Prayers of the People online: Folks gathered in-person often recount a lot of detail in their prayers concerning other members or family (“Elderly Name, living alone, experiencing isolation…”). In a private, in-person gathering, this information may be safe, but online, it can expose vulnerable people to harm, since we can’t control who will join the gathering or access it later online. Please contact the Pastor directly by text or phone with prayer requests. Pastor Nathan will be prudent in offering prayers i.e. “For First name only, in need of healing”; “For First name only, comfort in grief” etc. Please contact the pastor directly with news of those needing extra pastoral care.

 

The Way for Worship at Trinity United Church of Christ

December 12, 2021     11am           The Third Sunday of Advent

Gathering Music           O Come, O Come Immanuel           verses 1, 3, 4             NCH 116

Greeting and Announcements

Centering Music and lighting of altar candles

Responsive Intent
One: A voice calls out in the wilderness.
All: It sings of a home for all. It speaks of justice and peace.
One: We could choose to ignore it.
All: We could drown out that song. We could choose not to listen.
One: Instead, we come into this space.
All: We let the world grow quiet. We listen.
One: A voice calls out in the wilderness. Do you hear it?
All: We hear it. In listening, we worship.
One: Let us draw near to God.

Hymn                      There’s A Voice In the Wilderness                                   NCH 120
Choir sings verse 1; then ALL sing verses 1, 2, 3

Lighting of the Advent Candle
One: Joy is seeing people you love after months apart.
All: Joy is hearing, “Come on over, it has been too long!”
One: Joy is the stretches and giggles of a newborn child.
All: Joy is making it home when the journey is long.
One: Joy is your dog sliding to meet you at the door.
All: Joy is the energy of a new season.
One: Joy is feeling found when you thought you were lost.
All: So today we light the candle of joy, because the welcome
God has for us is nothing short of joyful.
One: Rest in that good news. Let it wash over you.                                                                                                                                              All: Family of faith, we are close to home. Amen.

Morning Prayer Concerns and Celebrations
Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer
Our Mother-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.
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.
Amen.

 

Hearing the Sacred Word

Anthem                   Welcome To the Manger                        Amanda Udis-Kessler

Sermon                     Opening Home for All                          Rev. Nathan King
A Reading from the Prophets           Zephaniah 3:14-20
A Reading from the Gospels             Luke 3:7-18

Home is Where the Heart Is                                               Buddhist chant

Been traveling for days,
Been traveling for years,
Been traveling a lifetime
To find my way here.

Home is where the heart is,
Home is where the heart is,
Home is where the heart is,
My heart lives with you…

 

Giving of Our Gifts to God

Invitation to Offering                 Of the Parent’s Heart Begotten                       medieval chant

Offertory and Bringing of Our Gifts

Praise Response                                                                 Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

 

Going Forth with Good News

Chiming of the Trinity             (In the name of the Creator, Christ and Holy Spirit)

Benediction

Closing Song                     Make of My Heart a Stable                             Amanda Udis-Kessler
Make of my heart a stable,
a house for the Holy,
a warm and sturdy place
for hope to live and grow.

Make of my life a a stable,
a house for the Holy,
a warm and sturdy place
for peace to live and grow.

Make of our church a stable,
a house for the Holy,
a warm and sturdy place
for joy to live and grow.

Make of our world a stable,
a house for the Holy,
a warm and sturdy place
for love to live and grow.
________________________________________

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from OneLicense with license #A714152

 

 

Prayer Concerns

– Justin
– Angela
– Leslie’s sister-in-law
– Friend of ours – Jennifer
– Kenneth R. and Kitty
– Jimmy A. father and brother
– Ron’s family
– Deborah N.’s daughter
– Loren & Emily
– Audrey M.
– Jimmy’s dad, and Jimmy
– Revs. Jerry and Marion R.
– Jim and Mary Barbara
– Lisa G.
– Pat L.
– David M.
– Ron C.

 

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