God Is With Us

An Order of Worship for Advent

If you do use this I just ask that you acknowledge the source as follows:

P = Presiding Minister

A = Assisting Minister

C = Congregation

Stand: = Please stand as you are able. Sit: = Please sit

Prelude

Stand

Welcome & Call to Worship: God Is With Us

Words & Music: Lisa Frenz (see Music)

(Starting from the back of the nave, the acolyte carries the Processional Cross, followed by the pastor and the assistant. All move slowly down the aisle as the litany is spoken.)

P: (spoken) Welcome all who come, all who seek the Lord.

C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.

A: (spoken) Welcome whoever you are, for God loves you.

C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.

P: So come seek the truth.

C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.

A: (spoken) Come hear the promise.

C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.

P: (spoken) Come share the joy.

C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.

A: (spoken) Be filled with God's Spirit.

C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.

Confession of Sins

C: I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my own intelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as He calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith. In this Church, He generously forgives each day every sin committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, He will raise me and all the dead from the grave. He will give eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is [most certainly] true! (The Small Catechism[1] of Martin Luther, Translation by Robert E. Smith, May 22, 1994, Version 1.1 -- December 22, 1994, Updated for Contemporary Readers, Frank West, July 22, 2001)

P: God indeed forgives, renews and restores each of us, forgiving our shortcomings, our omissions, our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, I declare to you the forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

Greeting of Peace

A: As we have been forgiven, let us forgive one another and share the peace of Christ. Peace be with you.

C: And also with you.

(all share a word of peace)

Gathering Song

Prayer of the Day

Sit

Special Music

Scripture Lesson

Psalm

Scripture Lesson

Stand

Gospel Song: As I Hear Your Word

Words & Music: Lisa Frenz (see Music)

As I hear your word, O God, let me be filled.

As I hear your word, O God, let me be inspired.

As I hear your word, O God, fill me with courage.

As I hear your word, O God,

let me share your love with my neighbors.

Gospel Lesson

Sit

Music for Meditation

Message

Stand

Theme Song

Creed

By the grace granted to me by God, I believe.

I believe in God, the Creator, who made me and all creation, who calls me into relationship and makes me a child of freedom.

I believe in God, Christ Jesus, who has saved me and all creation, who by his death and resurrection has rescued me from the punishment of sin and restores me to the freedom given me at the beginning of creation.

I believe in God, the Holy Spirit, who breathes life into me and all creation, who fills me with grace, leads me into wisdom, and gives me strength for the work of my life.

I believe in one God, who is Creator, Savior and Spirit, the center of my life now and for all eternity.

A: We believe, so we respond:

Commitment Song: Searching, Seeking

Words & Music: Lisa Frenz (see Music)

Searching, seeking, restlessly looking,

These are the people God wants:

Searching for truth,

Seeking new life,

Looking for a savior.

Refrain:

So, Lord fill me with joy;

Fill me with fire.

Let me live in your hope;

Sharing my faith,

Sharing my life,

Talking about my Savior.

Telling the truth of your love.

Searching, seeking, restlessly looking,

These are the people I know:

Living next door,

Working with me,

Looking for a savior. Refrain

Searching, seeking, restlessly looking,

These are the people I meet:

Riding my bus,

Sitting beside me,

Looking for a savior. Refrain

Sit

Offering

Stand

Offering Prayer

A: Let us pray,

C: God of all, thank you for the life you give me, the goods which you supplied to me, the power to make a difference in this world. Be with me in my daily tasks, my daily joys, my daily sorrows, so that every day, every minute belongs to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Prayers of the Church

Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord's Prayer

Sit

Distribution of Communion

Stand

Dismissal

Post Communion Song

Blessing

P: May the God of love and grace keep you safe.

May the God of comfort and healing hold you close.

May the God of peace and joy sing in your heart.

C: Amen.

Sit

Community Announcements

Stand

Sending Song

A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Postlude