Prelude - “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” [by J. F. Wade] - Sarah Park
Welcome to the Mantua Center in this Season of Advent. We are a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms.
From Generation to Generation we have gathered in this space…
We believe that creation is inextricably linked. We belong to one another in an undeniable way. We are bone of bone and flesh of flesh, life breathed into dust. We believe that God invites us to live into that truth to love without abandon, to see the good in one another, to trust that all belong to God. We know that this life of connection is easier said than done, which is why we gather in this space, week after week, generation after generation, to be reminded: We see God in each other. This we believe. Amen.
Advent Candle Lighting - Katie Baird
A.J. Calapa, Charlotte Hooker, Carli Calapa, Laura Parker
Worship Leader (Katie Baird):
The folks who put together our Advent Theme this year sent out surveys to over a hundred people, from the ages of two to 100 years old and each week in Advent we’ve heard some of their answers. Thank you to all the volunteers today who will read the responses. This week--the Sunday of Love--those surveyed were asked the question, “What makes you feel connected; what makes you feel loved?” From the voices of different generations, hear their answers:
Laura: Handwritten notes.
Carli: Casseroles.
Charlotte: Being invited to do something.
AJ: Snuggling up with a book.
Laura: The passing of the peace.
Carli: Family walks.
Charlotte: An afternoon to myself
AJ: Playing football with friends
Laura: Surprise phone calls.
Carli: Making music with other people.
Charlotte: Home-cooked food.
AJ: Belly laughs.
Laura: Eye contact.
Carli: Dinner parties.
Charlotte: An inside joke.
AJ: BIG Hugs.
Laura: Dancing with my partner in the kitchen.
Carli: Today we light the candle of love as a reminder that from the very
first generation, God has surrounded us with love. May this good news—these threads of love—not only weave deeper connections between neighbors, but shape our actions and allow us to see God more clearly.
Charlotte: In a lonely world, let this light shine bright. From generation to generation, we are held in God’s love. Thanks be to God for that good news. Amen.
*Opening Hymn - O Come, O Come Emmanuel - #119, v.4
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife and quarrels cease; fill the whole world with heaven's peace.
Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Prayers of the People - Pam Auble
Invitation to Generosity
Invitation Katie Baird
Offertory
Music: “Silent Night, Holy Night ” [by F. X. Gruber]
The Doxology #46
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Offering Prayer - Katie Baird
Children’s Moment -“Emmanuel, Emmanuel” #134
Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel
God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel [Repeat]
- Fancy word we hear in Advent and Christmas Time is “Emmanuel”
- What does it mean?
- It is the way God says I love you to us…by being WITH US everywhere we go.
- When we feel love, compassion, kindness. When we help someone. God is with us and shown in us.
Song of Preparation -“An Ode to A Silent Night” [Words by Joanna Gaines ] - Beth Schabel & Peggy Painley
Approaching the Table, let’s listen to Mary’s Magnificat from Luke 1:46-56.
Luke 1:46-56
46 And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’ 56 And Mary remained with her for about three months and then returned to her home.
Upon hearing that she is with child and her cousin also, Mary goes to the place where she knows there will be peace and comfort…her cousin’s home. Notice she stayed there for 3 months time to connect with Elizabeth and have a place to express her joy and her worry, her praise and remembrance. Her Magnificat springs forth from a place of joy and hope! What a blessing to have a place to slow down and soak in what God has called her to do. To have a person to confide in and see God in.
Who are those people you see God in to spend time with? Where are those places you find rest for your soul?
As we prepare our hearts and minds for Communion, we will now be led in a prayerful meditation as we think and pray on these things…
Communion
Meditation - Steve Hurd
Communion Hymn - I Wonder as I Wander #161, v.1
1 I wonder as I wander, out under the sky
how Jesus the Savior did come for to die
for poor ordinary people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander, out under the sky.
Prayer & Lord’s Prayer - Steve Hurd
Words of Institution - Rev. Chad Delaney
Music: “Have You Been to Jesus" [Music by E. A. Hoffman] - Sarah Park
The Amazing Story of Christmas
A Multi-Generational Christmas Pageant by Carolyn Peters
Mary and Joseph - Away in a Manger #147, v. 1
1 Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The Animals - O Come All Ye Faithful #148, v.1
1 O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
come and behold him, born the King of angels:
Refrain
O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
The Angels - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing #150, v.1
1 Hark! the herald-angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King;
peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim, "Christ is born in Bethlehem."
Hark, the herald-angels sing, "Glory to the new-born King!"
The Shepherds - Go Tell It on the Mountain #167, v.1
Refrain:
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
1 While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night,
behold throughout the heavens, there shone a holy light. [Refrain]
The Wise Guys - We Three Kings #172, v.1
1 We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar
field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.
Refrain
O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright,
westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.
The Finale - Joy to the World #143, v.1
1 Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
let every heart prepare him room, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
Benediction Rev. Chad Delaney
- Join us for our Sunday Chats -- youth, 2 adult ones
- COOKIE SUNDAY!
- Thank you to Peggy & Beth
As you leave this place, may you go with LOVE knowing that
from generation to generation,
we have been claimed and loved.
From generation to generation,
God has been by our side.
From generation to generation, we are not alone.
The God of yesterday and the God of tomorrow
knows you by name, loves you, and calls you forth.
See God in each other, love wildly, do justice, and share the Good News!”
May it be so. Amen.
Postlude - “I Come to the Garden Alone” [by C. A. Miles] - Sarah Park