December 3, 2017
First Sunday in Advent
Worship Leader: Reverend Samantha Tuttle
Music by Janell Kinzie
For Meditation and Reflection:
As surely as we belong to the universe, we belong together. We join here to transcend the isolated self. To reconnect, to know ourselves to be at home, here on earth, under the stars, linked with each other.
Let us take a moment now to settle into the silence. Hear and feel your quiet breathing. Hear and feel the quiet of this place and this community of people.
In this quiet hour may our spirits be renewed. In this gathering of old and new friends may our minds be open to new truth, and our hearts be receptive to love, as we give thanks for this life we are blessed to share.
Welcome and Announcements – A warm welcome is extended to all. Your presence both enriches us and this time of celebration together.
Call to Worship
Advent Candle of Hope
Pastor: May we hold fast to hope’s patient possibilities.
People: May we lift them high that they might catch the light of our dreams and shine bright in our broken world.
Pastor: And may we instill hope’s challenge in the hearts of our children that they, too, will live it into meaning
People: Pouring their lives, as we do ours, into making it real:
Pastor: for themselves,
People: for each other,
All: for the world. Light candle
Opening Hymn: We Gather Together #421 (black hymnal)
Reception of New Members
(See insert)
Opening Prayer:
Here, in this space made sacred by our shared lives and our shared yearnings, may we find new courage, new generosity of spirit, forgiveness given and received, and rededication to the higher purposes of our lives. Let us not add to the hopelessness that is in the world. But may wonder and adventure, curiosity and humor, live in us always. May there be aroused in us a determination that by the fuller living of our lives we might find the meaning that life is trying to teach us.
May this season of Advent be filled with new passion, new resolve, to take the next step in our own lives. The moments of worship quickly pass. May the little that we know become enough to guide us, while we seek for new wisdom. What our prayers begin, may our lives continue. This is our prayer. May it be so. Amen.
Scripture Readings: Genesis 1:1-5, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, John 1:1-5, 14-18
Sermon by Rev. Samantha Tuttle:
“Cycles, Seasons, and Vulnerability”
Responsive Sharing
The Offerings and Offertory Music
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Lord’s Prayer
Holy Communion
Closing Hymn: O, For a World #573 (black hymnal)
Blessing and Sending
Let us take on this week’s life with renewed hope and imagination.
May the rhythms of our coming together, the melodies of our celebration,
and the harmonies of our farewells,
uplift our souls this day, and into the inviting future.
Go in peace, and may the peace of God go with you.
After worship, you are invited to Communion Sunday Brunch next door in the Fellowship Hall.
Announcements
Giving Tree: From Dec. 3rd through Advent, our giving tree will be out in front of St. James with a sign, “Take what you need, Give what you can.” Unwrapped, labeled donations of hats, scarves, gloves, and toys will be put in plastic bags on the tree.
Sunday School is on the third Sunday of each month before service at 10AM for both children and adults. December 17th is the next date. Children 4-12 will be in the Fellowship Hall with Robin Scott; adults will meet in the Sanctuary.
Induction of New Members: Services on the first two Sundays of Advent will include welcoming new members. Please let us know if you want to join.
Sunday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 10th: Our worship leader is Reverend Samantha Tuttle.
Sunday, December 17th and Sunday, December 24th – Christmas Eve: Our worship leader is Reverend Mike Lyle.
IMPORTANT: Candlelight Christmas Eve service will begin at 5PM. This is easier for young children and works better for Rev. Lyle.
Our Statement of Faith
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.