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Woship Resources 2009-2010 — Year C: Live Generously, Love Courageously
Return to Year C: 2009-2010
Resource Index
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Prepare the Way
Second Sunday of Advent (Hope)
Scriptures: Malachi 3:1–4; Luke 1:68–79/1:67–78 IV;
Philippians 1:3–11; Luke 3:1–6/3:1–11 IV; I Nephi 2:38; Doctrine
and Covenants 85:2a
A
Nativity Pilgimage PowerPoint has been
prepared for any service during Advent or on Christmas Eve. During the
PowerPoint, a meditative Christmas carol might be played—like “Silent Night!
Holy Night!”
Prepare for worship by having the straw-filled manger up front. Each
worshiper is to have a piece of straw. The straw can be distributed by children
as members of the congregation enter, or later at the beginning of the
Disciples’ Generous Response. Begin the worship service with the lighting of the
Candle of Love.
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship: Malachi 3:1–4
*Hymn: “O Come All Ye Faithful” HS 238
OR “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” HS 211
OR “All Earth Is Hopeful” Worship & Rejoice 163
*Prayer
*Response
Lighting of the Advent Candle of Hope
Reader: Advent is the time of year when we shed old habits and
prepare for a new way, a new coming.
People: Give us courage to shed old habits. Purify us, O God.
Reader: It is the time of year when we lay aside our burdens and
become intentional about seeking the kingdom of God within. It is a time
of hope, healing, and rebirth.
People: Help us to seek the kingdom of God within. Purify us, O God.
Reader: Advent is the time of year when we cleanse our hearts and
minds, when we prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.
All: Cleanse our hearts and minds. For you, God, are like a refiner’s
fire and like fullers’ soap. Refine us like gold and silver. Purify us,
O God.
Reader: Prepare the way!
After the reading, the reader, or another person, lights the Candle
of Hope.
Hymn “Heir of All the Waiting Ages” soloist or congregation HS 25
OR “Peace among Earth’s Peoples” SP 26
OR Ministry of Music
Scripture for Peace: Luke 1:68–79
Prayer for Peace
Hymn: “Sound over All Waters” HS 261
OR “Instruments of Your Peace” NS 21
Scripture for Confessional Reflection and Preparation for Communion:
Doctrine and Covenants 85:2a
Reflect on how our separation from God is forgiven and we are reunited by
the promise of God’s Son. God, we thank you for this blessing of hope.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to
integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries
Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch
with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information
as part of your offertory ministry. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your
pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Reflection
Today, as you give of your monetary gifts, spend some time reflecting
on the ways you “hold back” thoughts or actions that keep you from
drawing closer to God in your daily living. Perhaps you have been hurt
by someone’s words or actions at school, work, or even at church.
Perhaps you are upset about the world situation, your government, or the
seeming lack of peace in others. Maybe you simply feel unworthy.
Whatever it is, consider offering this negative thought, this burden
that you carry, to God.
As the offering is received, we invite you to come forward and place
your piece of straw in the manger. As you do so, imagine that it
represents the giving of your burden to God. Hold within you the firm
hope that your burden is now lifted and you are reborn in Christ.
Allow time for people to come forward to the manger.
Scripture of Thankfulness: I Nephi 2:38
Blessing and Offering of Oblation and Mission Tithes
Hymn: “Angels from the Realms of Glory” HS 231
OR “Father, Who in Jesus Found Us” HS 331
OR “Hosea” NS 15
Communion Message
Based on Luke 3:1–6
Poem: “Christmas Communion”
Kneel, if you’re able, toward the stable; heal, if you’re able,
at the table.
See the quiver of the infant’s lip, tiny fingers as they grip,
new eyes, so wise. They see past my face, see my need for grace.
They reach into my heart with healing art.
My Communion at the table
takes me back to the stable.
Who can separate the two?
—Lu Mountenay 2009
Blessing and Serving of Bread
Blessing and Serving of Wine
*Hymn: “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” HS 256
OR “Canto de Esperanza” SP 25
*Sending Forth
“Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy
Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek
quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many
things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many
ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy
seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet
seeking the light. To you we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus!’ Amen.”
—“Advent Prayer” by Henri J. M. Nouwen, printed in
Catholic Family Prayer Book,
Jacquelyn Lindsey, ed.
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Malachi 3:1–4;
Luke 1:68–79/1:67–78 IV; Philippians 1:3–11; Luke 3:1–6/3:1–11 IV
Exploring the Scriptures
Malachi is the final canonical book of the Old Testament. Malachi is an
anonymous work. It is a dynamic conversation of statements, questions, and
answers addressing the issues of a postexilic existence for the people of
Israel. The work is addressed to those who have “wearied the Lord” (Malachi
2:17). God announces that the “Lord…will…come to his temple” (3:1) after one is
sent to prepare the way. This announcement sets the expectation of a time of
hope that is vastly different from the current reality of the people.
The passage from Luke announces a time frame and a political stage for John’s
arrival. John’s journey begins among a people who are in the greatest need of
hope. He calls them to listen and repent and be ready for what is coming.
A message of hope resonates with these two passages of scripture. Malachi is
speaking to a group of people who ache for home and God’s promised blessing. A
disobedient people are called to anticipate the future actions of the covenant
God. Watch for the messenger who will prepare the way and make sure you are
ready, seems to be the admonition of Malachi.
With the proclamation of John the Baptist, hope is rekindled. The blessings
of God become available to the people of Israel through repentance. A time of
spiritual renewal and preparation has begun.
Hope requires movement and action. One cannot express hope without
acknowledging that the current situation is not what it ought to be. Hope is
partnered with repentance in John the Baptist’s message. He was preparing the
ground, preparing a people to be ready to “see the salvation of God” (Luke 3:6).
How are our circumstances similar to those in the time of John the Baptist?
Do we need to repent in order to feel hope and receive the love and peace that
Jesus has to offer? Today we have the opportunity to free ourselves to feel hope
again as we participate in an act of repentance in the Lord’s Supper.
Central Ideas
1. It is God’s hope that stirs the desire to repent, to change as the way
is prepared for us.
2. It is through the acts of repentance that hope is made alive in us.
3. We have the wonderful opportunity to claim the promise of hope, to
“see the salvation of God” in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
Questions for the Speaker
1. How is God’s hope stirring in you the desire to repent, to change as
the way is prepared?
2. What message of hope do the people of your neighborhoods, communities,
and work places need to hear?
3. What evidences of God’s salvation do you see in the world today?
4. How are you preparing for the advent of Jesus?
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