Christmastide 2021-2022

GATHERING

ENTRANCE

 REFLECTION

Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas; star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, love incarnate, love divine;
Worship we our Jesus, but wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token; love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and neighbor, love for plea and gift and sign.

Christina Rosetti

CANDLE LIGHTING

CALL TO WORSHIP

today we remember the promise we have heard
from your prophet Isaiah:

those who dwelt in a land of deep shadows,
on them has light shined.

waiting again for the sign that you are among us.

 OPENING PRAYER

 HYMN

 WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 SILENCE

 PRAYERS

CONFESSION

and refuse to offer a helping hand
to those who are carrying more than they can bear.

we keep our indignation silently in our hearts,
rather than defending those who are mistreated.

when we fail to be love made flesh

ASSURANCE

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION

PRAYER OF COMMITMENT

We open our hearts to you and your creationHYMN

THE WORD

SCRIPTURE

SERMON

SILENT REFLECTION

OFFERING

SHARED REFLECTIONS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HYMN

BENEDICTION

strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;
help the suffering; honor all people;
love and serve God,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, 
will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.