Sunday, December 7, 2014 - Second Sunday of Advent (Year B)

News and Announcements:

Coming Together

A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.  God will comfort the people.

Lighting of Advent Candle: #7VU

Hope is a star that shines in the night,

leading us on till the morning is bright.

When God is a child there's joy in our song.

The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,

and none shall be afraid.

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,

giving a promise of safety and worth.

When God is a child there's joy in our song.

The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,

and none shall be afraid.

Let us pray...

God of Peace, our path is lead by Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  We believe that we are not alone.  We move toward Bethlehem with the deep desire to know your peace.  Amen. 

Singing:  #28VU    “Herald!  Sound the Note of Gladness”

Junior Choir:

Dona nobis pacem (Grant us peace) trad. Latin

The Angel Gabriel trad. Basque Carol, arr. John Raymond Howell

Away in a Manger James R. Murray, arr. Hal Hopson

            please join in singing verse three, #69VU

Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in your tender care

And fit us for heaven to live with you there.

Sharing the Peace of Christ:

In a spirit of community and thanksgiving,
reach out to those around you and share with each other the Peace of Christ,
perhaps with the words "Peace be with you!", responding "And
also with you!"

Singing:  #577VU    “Peace Like a River”

Welcoming with Baptism:

People are asked not to take pictures during the service.

Introduction

Statement of Faith:  #918VU  "A New Creed"

Questions and Promises

Congregation's Promise

All:    As a baptized and baptizing people, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith.  May God grant us all grace to live out our baptismal promises!

Prayer(together):  Gracious and Holy God, Mother and Father of us all, we bless you for the gift of life and within it, the gift of water.  We recall how your
Spirit hovered over creation's unshaped waters and how, by water, comes the
growth of the earth.  It was through water that you led the children of Israel to freedom.  It was in the waters of the Jordan, your child, Jesus, was baptized.  Now, may your Spirit be upon us and work through this day's water to link us with Jesus' baptism and with Christians in every time and place.  May what we do here be a sign for all of new life in Christ!  Amen.

Music for Movement:  #10VU

(Sunday School participants leave for their learning circle)

Prepare the way of the Lord!

Prepare the way of the Lord!

Make a straight path for him,

make a straight path;

prepare the way of the Lord!

Readings from Scripture:

2^nd Peter 3:^8-15a          NT pg 238

Mark 1:^1-8                        NT pg 34

In ages past, disciples,
prophets, priests and historians wrote down their faith.  This is a faithful witness of our ancestors.  Word of God for us today.

Thanks be to God.

Message:                        “We Are More”

Singing:  #698VU    “With the Wings of Our Mind”

Giving Our Offerings:

Offering Song (#20VU-v5) and Prayer:

All praise to you, eternal Son,

whose advent has our freedom won;

and praise to God whom we adore,

with Holy Spirit evermore.

Let us pray...

Gracious God, we share from what we have as an offering of Peace. We bring tributes of time, of prayer and money to bring the wonder of the Christ-Child into the world again. Amen.

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer (#921VU)

Singing:  #691VU    “Walls That Divide”

Sung Response:  #967VU

Amen.  Amen.  A--men!