Advent 4 Liturgy

Tis' the season for pastoral musician chaos!!!!!!! Here's what we've got for this week, good stuff!

Travis Park UMC-Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday, December 24th, 2006
9:00 a.m.

PRELUDE: Angela Caporale, violin

CALL TO WORSHIP*
We are waiting
We are searching
Looking for the way home
Staying alert to signs
Listening carefully for directions
On our journey home to God
--Alison Boone

OPENING HYMN* No. 211 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel ALL

OPENING PRAYER
Mysterious God, you are both journey and destination, our companion and our goal. We thank you that you are as close as our very breath, always ready to guide, to nudge, to encourage. We thank you that you go before us, always leading, calling us onward. We thank you that you await us, standing with open arms, running to greet us as we make our way to you.
O God, may we remember that you do not call us only as individuals, but also as members of your family. Empower us to love and serve all members of your family – of our family – so that the hungry are filled and the lowly are lifted up and all are welcome. We pray in the name of the One who comes to show us the way. Amen.
--Alison Boone

CANDLE LIGHTING
Leader: God is light!
People: In whom there is no darkness at all.
Leader: Each of us shares in the divine light shining forth. We are called to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to release the captive, to bring about the dream of God.
People: For nothing will be impossible with God.
Candle Lighters: The Laborde/Steubing Family

CAROL MEDLEY No. 240 Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
No. 230 O Little Town of Bethlehem
No. 221 In the Bleak Midwinter
No. 220 Angels from the Realms of Glory

MESSAGE Luke 1:39-45 Rev. Karen Vannoy

TITHES AND OFFERINGS: Gabriel’s Message
Words by S. Baring-Gould; Music: Basque Carol, arr. Sir David Willcocks

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
His wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame;
‘All hail,’ said he, ‘thou lowly maiden Mary,
Most highly favour’d lady, Gloria!

‘For known a blessed Mother thou shalt be,
All generations laud and honour thee,
Thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers fore-told,’
Most highly favour’d lady, Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
‘To me be as it pleaseth God,’ she said,
‘My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name.’
Most highly favour’d lady, Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born
In Bethlehem, all on a Christmas morn,
And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:
Most highly favour’d lady, Gloria!

(Please register your attendance in the red registration books.)


*DOXOLOGY
(This morning’s doxology is found in the back of The Faith We Sing found in your pew rack.)

SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION

SANCTUS #2257-b in The Faith We Sing ALL

WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND CONSECRATION
All: Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, living God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the people of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever.
Amen.
--from A New Zealand Prayer Book

DISTRIBUTION OF THE ELEMENTS

COMMUNION MUSIC: Lana Cartlidge Potts

PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING
O God, we thank you for this homecoming feast, prepared for all to share. Send us out to proclaim the good news of our home with you, a home filled with mercy and justice and love. We pray in the name of Jesus, who came to show us the way. Amen.
--Alison Boone

HYMN OF INVITATION* No. 246 Joy to the World ALL

BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE: Angela Caporale, violin