Join the Dance!

Order for Worship

▲ = Congregation Stands, ▼ = Congregation Sit

Ringing of the bell

Prelude and Lighting of Candles

Lighting of the Advent Wreath:

Four bearers each carry a candle down the aisle to light the wreath using simple ritual movement. The first week only one candle is lighted; 2nd week 2 candles are lighted, etc. The Acolyte waits for bearer(s) then lights candlelighter from bearers’ candles and lights wreath.

Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah

Tune Name: TIF IN VELDELE

Text Source: Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954

Music Source: Music: Yiddish folk tune

Vs. 1 - 1st week, vs. 2 - 2nd week, vs. 3 - 3rd week, vs. 4 - 4th week

When the wreath is lit, the congregation sings the appropriate verse of the song.

.▲ A: Now is the time of expectation.

C: The time to join in the dance of the Lord.

Song: Lord of the Dance

Tune: Simple Gifts

Text: Sydney Carter 1967

Week 1:

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,

and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun . . . I had my birth.

Refrain: Dance then wherever you may be, . . .all in the dance, said he.

I danced for the scribes and the pharisee, . . . the dance went on. Refrain

Week 2:

I danced in the morning when the world was begun, . . .at Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain: Dance then wherever you may be, . . . all in the dance, said he.

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame, . . .me there on the cross to die. Refrain

.Week 3:

I danced in the morning when the world was begun, . . . Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain: Dance then wherever you may be, . . . all in the dance, said he.

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black, . . . dance and I still go on. Refrain

Week 4:

I danced in the morning when the world was begun, . . . Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain: Dance then wherever you may be, . . .you all in the dance, said he.

They cut me down and I leapt up high. . . . Lord of the Dance, said he. Refrain

Greeting:

P: Welcome to the dance. Welcome to the excitement of watching for God’s coming. Welcome to the joys of anticipation and the hope of the fulfillment of life in Christ Jesus.

C: Amen. Come Lord Jesus. We wait for the day when we will see you face to face.

Prayer of the Day

Praise Song: Sing Out, Earth and Skies Vs. 1,5

Tune Name: SING OUT

Text: Marty Haugen

Music: Marty Haugen

.▼ 1st Lesson

Psalm (chanted responsively)

2nd Lesson

Suggested Anthem: Prepare! Prepare! by Stephen Pishner

▲ Gospel

P: The Gospel according to . . .

C: Glory to you, O Lord.

The Holy Gospel is read

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Praise to you, O Christ.

▼ Music for Meditation

Message

▲ Theme Song:

Testimony of Faith:

I believe in God the Creator, who made me and all things, who set me on my path in this world.

I believe in God the Savior, who is one with the Creator, who rescued me and all creation from the depredations of our violations against God and creation. This man, Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ, walked a path through this world, taking on human form having been born of a woman through the power of the Holy Spirit. He lived and worked in this world among people just like me. He walked God’s path to death on a cross, and rose from the dead to open our pathway to eternal life.

I believe in God the Holy Spirit, my counselor and guide, who is one with the Creator and the Christ, who through the body and blood of Jesus brings me into communion with all people, past, present and future; who calls me to walk a sacred way of life through this world, caring for creation and the people I meet on the way, loving them, helping them, welcoming them without prejudice, being God’s hands and feet in the world.

.Prayer Song: I shall walk in the presence of God

Tune Name: I SHALL WALK

Text: Larry Dittberner

Music: Larry Dittberner

I shall walk in the presence of God . . . around me I shall walk.

I shall hope in the power of God. I shall hope. . . .

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

P: Let us pray,

C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer Song: I shall walk in the presence of God

I shall breathe in the presence of God. I shall Breathe. . . .

I shall live . . .

I shall dance . . .

Greeting of Peace:

P: As Christ passed on his peace to his disciples and to us, we pass that peace on here and now. Peace be with you.

C: And also with you.

(All share a greeting of peace.)

▼ Offering

▲ Offering Song:

Offering Prayer:

A: We stand before you, O God, on the pathways of our lives, and offer you our thanks and praise.

C: God of all power and might, the world and all that is in it belongs to you. Our gratitude and devotion are yours for all the wonders of the sacred life you have bestowed in our care, for the skills, understanding and gifts you have given us to preserve that life. From you comes all good things and out of our gratitude we accept those gifts and use them with joy and care in your name. Grant us the wisdom and knowledge to be your agents, to love and care for the world in all it’s diversity, as you love and care for us, your children. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer:

P: In great love and wisdom, O God, you created this universe, making the stars to dance and the light to sing, the seas to roar and the waves to leap, the animals to thrive and the plants to flourish. You made humankind to be your children, so that we may walk and talk with you, as the inheritors of your creation.

But we sought freedom and gained bondage to sin. We sought wisdom and found lies. We sought life and found death. Like rebellious children we ran from your presence; distanced ourselves from you and denied our heritage.

In even greater love you let us go, only to reach out to us through your Word, Jesus Christ, offering us restoration and healing and life, who on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, gave thanks and broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this as often as you eat and drink in remembrance of me.” After the supper, Jesus also took the cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, “Take and drink, this is cup is my blood which is shed for the many for the forgiveness of sin. Drink all of it in remembrance of me.”

P: May we dance for joy in the presence of your promise of hope.

C: Let this banquet of salvation be ours for all eternity.

P: God’s grace has called us here, let us partake of the feast for all ages.

C: Amen.

▼ Communion Song: Psalm 126 vs. 1

Words & Music: W. Michael Aguilar III

(see Music)

.Distribution of Holy Communion

▲ Dismissal from Holy Communion:

P: God has filled you with the Holy Spirit and nourished you with the body and blood of Christ Jesus at this feast of love. May the grace of God keep you ever in the dance of creation. Go in peace and joy knowing you are a child of God.

C: Amen.

Communion Song: Psalm 126 (WMA) vs. 2,3

Prayer:

A: Let us pray.

C: We thank you God of all for refreshing and renewing us, filling us with the joy and excitement of your all-encompassing love. Grant that we may live our lives in joyful service to you.

A: As we continue together on our walk of life in Christ, let us remember always to look for God, always alert and aware that we meet God wherever we go.

C: Amen.

Blessing:

P: May the God of the universe take care of you.

May you know the joy and peace which passes all understanding.

May you always walk with Christ Jesus beside you.

May God bless you and keep you in grace and truth.

C: Amen.

▼ Community Announcements

Sending Song:

▲ A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord, Emmanuel, God with Us.

C: Thanks be to God.

Postlude