December 11, 2016

Third Sunday of Advent

Meditation thoughts

‘For Longing’ by John O’Donohue
“Blessed be the longing that brought you here and quickens your soul with wonder.
May you have the courage to listen to the voice of desire that disturbs you when you have settled for something safe.
May you have the wisdom to enter generously into your own unease to discover the new direction your longing wants you to take.
May the forms of your belonging—in love, creativity, and friendship— be equal to the grandeur and the call of your soul….
May you come to accept your longing as divine urgency.
May you know the urgency with which God longs for you.”

Welcome and announcements

Opening Hymn: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus – #122

Responsive first reading: Isaiah 35 (selected verses) NRSV

(The first reader) The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing…. They shall see the glory of the lord, the majesty of our god. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
(The congregation in unison) Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “be strong, do not fear! here is your God…. he will come and save you.”
(The second reader) Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water;
(The congregation in unison) A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the holy way; and the ransomed of the lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Amen

Musical response and lighting of the third Advent candle: O Come, O Come Emmanuel, verses 1 and 2 – #116

Call to worship responsive (from Barbara Lundblad)

(Left side) Then the blind woman and her dog will skip to the pulpit singing,
(Right side) The deaf person who sees what we often miss will paint the text on the sanctuary walls;
(Left side) The veteran in the wheelchair will break into a wheeled dance,
(Right side) And the homeless child who cannot speak will sign the hymns for everyone to see
(All) May our worship become a sign of God’s presence in the midst of the power of death, a glimpse of God’s beloved community. Amen

Musical response: Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates – #117

Second reading: Matthew 11:2-6

When John heard in prison what the messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another? Jesus answered them “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

Reflections by Rev. Dr. Mary Mason: No Offense

Reflective Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful – #135

The Offerings and Offertory Music

Friends, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgiving and our prayers on behalf of the church and the world. Prayers of joys and concerns and the Lord’s Prayer (using debts)

Closing Hymn: Go Tell It On The Mountain – #154

A sending out – The Pueblo Indians pray: Hold on to what is good, even if it’s a handful of earth. Hold on to what you believe, even if it’s a tree that stands by itself. Hold on to what you must do, even if it’s a long way from here. Go in peace to love and serve the world. Amen

We gather in worship as an inclusive community, an open & affirming community of faith that transcends any distinctions based on gender, sexual orientation, nationality, race, or religion…Our formal worship flows into a living worship of love and support for one another as we pursue ways to reflect God’s reign of mercy, justice, and peace in our community and throughout the world…along with a continuing search for ways to celebrate the goodness of life together…and always reaching out to draw others, with total inclusiveness, into this communal experience…