Advent Week 1 Order of Worship

Transcription

1 Advent Week 1 Order of Worship

2 Worship Service Sundays 1300 E Aloha St First Service 9:00 AM Second Service 11:30 AM Nursery 6 months-2 years Grace Kids 2s: Room 117 3s: Fellowship Hall (FH) 4-5 years: Room 119 Christian Formation 10:30 AM Kindergarten: Room 103 1st-2nd grade: FH 3rd-4th grade: Room 110 5th-6th grade: Room 217 Youth: Room 102 Adult: Sanctuary Advent 2015 God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. I John 1:5 In elementary school, we learn that ordinary light can be split up into many colors (seven, to be exact). All of these colors combine wonderfully to give us the full spectrum light we experience each day in the rays of the sun. Full spectrum light is full, complex, and rich. It brings life and flourishing everywhere it travels. Take it away, and the world would eventually be enshrouded in death. Each year as fall turns into winter and the days get progressively shorter, many of us begin to experience the toll that darkness takes upon us. Our mood sinks and we can find it harder to go about the daily tasks of life. We begin to long for the return of the healing light of the sun. Certain types of artificial light try to mimic what the sun can do, but they are, in the end, cheap and garish substitutes for the real thing. The biblical narrative tells a story of a world that was enveloped in darkness a darkness of sin, prideful autonomy, and foolish efforts to create our own light. And, into this great darkness, God the true Light has come. Jesus is the Light that has come into our darkness. His light is full, complex and rich. He brings life and flourishing everywhere he is received. Let us worship!

3 FOR REFLECTION Grace must wound before it can heal. Flannery O'Connor Pain teaches a most counterintuitive thing that we must go down before we even know what up is. It is first an ordinary wound before it can become a sacred wound. Suffering of some sort seems to be the only thing strong enough to destabilize our arrogance and our ignorance. I would define suffering very simply as whenever you are not in control. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All healthy religion shows you what to do with your pain. If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it. If your religion is not showing you how to transform your pain, it is junk religion. It is no surprise that a crucified man became the central symbol of Christianity. If we cannot find a way to make our wounds into sacred wounds, we invariably become negative or bitter because we will be wounded. That is a given. All suffering is potentially redemptive, all wounds are potentially sacred wounds. It depends on what you do with them. Can you find God in them or not? Richard Rohr To be human is to be in relation; to be a sinner is to pursue relationlessness. Ben Myers

4 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT CALL TO WORSHIP Standing Please silence all mobile phones and electronic devices for the duration of the worship service. Text in bold is read together by the entire congregation. Plain text is read by one of the worship service leaders. Adapted from Psalm 27:1, 14 The Lord is our light and our salvation; whom shall we fear? The Lord is the stronghold of our lives; of whom shall we be afraid? Let us wait for the Lord; let us be strong and let our hearts take courage. Frances R. Havergal 1874; Henri A. Cesar Malan, 1827 O Come, Messiah, Come 3 & 4 & & Oh come!oh come Mes - si - ah! Oh come our Al - le - lu - ia! Oh sing! Oh sing Ho -san - na! Oh come! Mes - si - ah come! Com Sor œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ - fort and joy, Al-pha O - me - ga He. & œ œ œ œ - row and toil no long -er ru - lers - be. Œ Œ Œ Seated 1

5 LECTIO SACRA Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Lectio Sacra means sacred reading. It has been the practice of the church for thousands of years to have portions of the bible read during worship services. The assumption behind this practice is that we are people who need to be shaped by all of God s word. The word of the Lord! Thanks be to God! INTERLUDE Musical interludes are included in our service in order to provide space for reflection and worship. Standing CONFESSION OF SIN Father, you led your people through the desert. You protected them with a cloud by day, and guided them by fire at night. You protect and guide us now through your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive us when we have doubted your protection: for our cynicism, orphan spirits, and frantic self-dependence. Forgive us for when we have rebelled against your guidance: for our disobedience, grumbling, and stiff necks. Confession of sin happens within the context of relationship, both with God and each other. We confess together, in community, before a gracious God who has given us himself. Confession both acknowledges our need for mercy and celebrates its abundance in Christ. Forgive us, and cleanse us. Empower us by your Spirit to walk joyfully in the light of your Son, Jesus Christ. (You are invited to confess your sins silently.) 2

6 RECEIVING OF GRACE Adapted from Colossians 1 God has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints of light. God has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins. Amen. HYMN OF GOD S DEVOTION Traditional Celtic hymn 8th Century Be Thou My Vision Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that thou art Thou my best thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word I ever with thee, and thou with me Lord Thou my great Father, I thy true son Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one Riches I heed not, nor man s empty praise Thou mine inheritance, now and always Thou and thou only, first in my heart High king of heaven, my treasure thou art High king of heaven, my victory won May I reach heaven s joys, O bright heaven s sun Heart of my own heart, whatever befall Still be my vision, O ruler of all 3

7 ANTIPHON & Leader/Cantor 1st time through - congregation 2nd time 4 O Lord You are my light and my sal - va - tion! Leader/Cantor 1st time through - congregation 2nd time & Ó me Œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ Œ œ œ œ w I will sing and make & œ œ 4 2 œ œ J 4 w J - lo - dy to you Lord! œ œ PRAYING THE PSALMS Psalm 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. Praying through the Psalms each week teaches us how to pray, using the prayer book of ancient Israel. As we pray, there will be pauses for reflection. One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. (continued) 4

8 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, Seek my face. My heart says to you, Your face, LORD, do I seek. Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in. Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! ANTIPHON & Leader/Cantor 1st time through - congregation 2nd time 4 O Lord You are my light and my sal - va - tion! Leader/Cantor 1st time through - congregation 2nd time & Ó me Œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ Œ œ œ œ w I will sing and make & œ œ 4 2 œ œ J 4 w J - lo - dy to you Lord! œ œ 5

9 HYMN OF HOPE Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing & 4 6. œ œ songs to wan - of ar - d ring loud - rive heart est at to Come, Here O Thou I to & œ œ w œ œ heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of by Thy help I m come; And I I m con-strained to be; Let that & œ œ œ w & œ œ œ œ œ son - stran - feel net, ger, it, Sung by Wan - d ring Prone to praise, home. Thee. Teach Je - Prone œ œ Fount raise grace of my how ev ry Eb - great œ œ en - a mer - cy, nev - er hope, by Thy good grace now, like a œ œ me sus to œ œ fla - from leave ming the the tongues fold God œ œ bless-ingez - er; Hith - er Tune my debt - or Dai - ly œ œ ceas-ing, Call for pleas-ure, fett - er, Bind Saf - ely my œ œ some sought wan - a - of I mel - me der, w bove; God: love; od - when Lord, œ ious a I œ Praise the He, to Here s my &. œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó w mount! res - heart, I m cue O fixed me take up - from and it, ger, it, Mount In - Seal of ter - it on danseal God s un- chang - ing posed His prec - for Thy courts ious a - love. blood. bove. Robert Robinson 1758, John Wyeth 1813 Prayer for Those Struggling with Sin Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to you, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen. Seated GOSPEL LESSON Advent 1: Walking in Darkness Genesis 1:1-5; I John 1:1-5; 2:15-17; 5:21 Rev. John Haralson Sermons can be streamed and downloaded at graceseattle.org/resources and on itunes. Grace Kids order of worship is available in the lobby for kids 5 years old and up. No sermon time activity today. INTERLUDE Prayer for Those Searching for the Truth Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open to me the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life that you promise. Amen. OFFERING Deacons Fund Collection Today The Grace Diaconate serves those who have financial need in our Church body. The funding for the Diaconate s care comes in part from periodic designated collections taken during the year. Today, all giving during the offering will be devoted to the Deacons Fund in thanksgiving for the grace made possible by Jesus Christ. Please consider giving toward sharing one another s burdens. Grace Diaconate deacons@graceseattle.org. 6

10 Sitting, Standing, or Kneeling P RAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Prayer of Belief Lord Jesus, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever before believed, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt, bearing my punishment on the cross, and offering forgiveness and new life. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as Savior and Lord. Amen. Father, we live in the wilderness. We are hungry and we are thirsty. We need a shepherd. We need light and life. We ask for you to act not only for ourselves but also for those around us. We bow down and offer our requests believing that you hear us. We pray for patience. May we trust that you hear our plea for grace and mercy. May we believe that you are present in our affliction and tribulation as we wait and long for wholeness. (Silence) Lord in your mercy, dwell with us. We pray for strength. Grant us the grace to keep walking as those who have hope. (Silence) Lord in your mercy, dwell with us. We pray for healing. Heal bodies ravaged by disease, renew minds plagued by anxiety, and restore hearts broken by pain. (Silence) Lord in your mercy, dwell with us. We pray for leading. Give wisdom in decision-making, perseverance in trouble, and faith through obstacles. (Silence) Lord in your mercy, dwell with us. Standing Let us join together in praying as Jesus taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 7

11 May We Find the Light & & & 1. Lost 2. There the very and are ed, ching, - way where long- long ing - ing wear - y wear - y to we go. go. for deep & Ó œ œ 4 2 R œ œ œ œ & & 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ r œ œ œ œ - tra tra some ly - - velers velers Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ Stran- Stran- gers, gers - one to to be sear - sear - ching ching for e - hea - who vy heart are sear - know. known. May we find the light, may we find the [Repeat chorus last time] light. May we find the light to guide us home. 8 Œ œ œ œ œ r œ œ œ œ œ r œ œ œ œ œ r 4 œ Œ Ó œ œ R œ œ œ œ œ r œ œœ Ó œ R œ œ œœ œœœ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó Œ Ó David Gungor and John Arndt Prayer for Receiving Communion Lord Jesus, your perfect life, death, and resurrection are the source of all blessing in this life and the life to come. As I eat this bread and drink this cup, renew me in the joy and glory of knowing and serving you. I come to this table on the basis of your merit only and not my own. As you have completely and fully offered yourself for me, I now completely and fully offer myself to you as a living sacrifice. Amen. Seated THE SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION Communion, also called the Lord s Supper or the Eucharist, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all baptized followers of Jesus Christ who acknowledge their sins against God and their neighbors and confess their need for the grace of Christ to partake of this meal. If you are a Christian and haven t been baptized, please talk with one of our pastors. We would be honored to baptize you. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with his people, the church. Allergen-free communion elements (wafer ingredients: organic brown rice flour, organic white rice flour) are available at the center of the communion table. To partake, please dip in the wine cup on the table, then proceed through the line. The song text below is given for reflection. Veiled in Darkness Veiled in darkness Judah lay, Waiting for the promised day, While across the shadowy night Streamed a flood of glorious light, Heavenly voices chanting then, "Peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill, goodwill to men." Melody: "Aberystwyth" by Joseph Parry, 1879 Arr. by Isaac Wardell and Mason Neely, 2009 New Jerusalem Music Still the earth in darkness lies. Up from death s dark vale arise Voices of a world in grief, Prayers of men who seek relief: Now our darkness pierce again, "Peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill, goodwill to men." 8

12 Standing Thomas Ken 1674, Louis Bourgeois 1551 Doxology 5 9 & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 w Praise God from whom all bless - ings flow; 4 2 & Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 w praise Him, all crea - tures here be - low; 4 2 & Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 w praise Him a - bove, ye heaven - ly host: & Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 w praise Fa-ther, Son and Ho -ly Ghost. 2. & 4 w Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó 29 Ghost. Praise Fa- ther, Son and Ho - ly Ghost. 3 & Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó 36 A Praise Fa-ther, Son and Ho - ly Ghost. U & w w w w w w w - men, a - men, a - me - n! 4 BENEDICTION Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen. SENDING Let us go forth and serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God! 9

13 ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS See our full calendar at graceseattle.org/events/calendar Sign up for our list Pageant rehearsal today in the Fellowship Hall after service. We will do a minute practice with everyone that can make it. Contact heidi@graceseattle.org. Interested in serving as a substitute Sunday Facilities Coordinator? This position is responsible for coordinating logistics for Sunday morning facility set-up and clean-up, including exterior signage and preparation of the sanctuary and lobby areas for services. Estimated frequency for substituting would be once every 2-3 months or 5-6 times/year. This is a paid position. Contact Debbie Smith debbie@graceseattle.org. Advent & Christmastide : Darkness & Light Nov 29 - Jan 3 As a congregation, we are spending the Advent and Christmas seasons immersing ourselves in I John as we consider its central claim: God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. Our staff has worked with artists from the congregation and put together a devotional booklet designed for individuals, community groups, and families to use. In addition, Jess has created some fantastic music. Booklets are available on-line and at the Connection Center. Advent Guided Retreat Saturday, Dec 9:00 AM Bethany Presbyterian Church, Queen Anne In the midst of the holiday season, it s easy to get busy doing a lot of activity and neglect to make space to receive the gift of Jesus. Debbie Smith will provide guidance for this morning retreat which will provide time to slow down and spend time with Jesus during this Advent season. The retreat will include introduction to a scripture reflection and other reading and time for solitude and reflection. RSVP by Dec 2 to Debbie debbie@graceseattle.org. Christmas Pageant Sunday, December AM Invite your friends and family to see our kids act out the story of the first Christmas! Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Thursday, Dec 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM Join us at either service as we celebrate the birth of Jesus by reading through various portions of scripture and singing carols together. Grace Kids available for ages 6 months - 3 years old during 5 PM service only. Invite your friends and family! ONGOING EVENTS & GROUPS Book Club 10:30 AM 8231 Densmore Ave N Delicious food and discussion of award-winning literature. January 23 The Orchardist; Amanda Coplin February 20 Between the World and Me; Ta-Nehisi Coates March 19 A God in Ruins; Kate Atkinson Contact: Amy Grooms amy@graceseattle.org Community Gatherings Saturday, Dec 6:00 PM 400 E Pine St 215 New community gatherings on the third Saturday of the month at the church office. Starting with a nostalgic Christmas movie, followed by a carol-sing. Wear your slippers and bring a snack to share. Hot drinks provided. Contact: Katie katherine.e.ross@gmail.com Infertility Support Group No matter where you are in the journey of infertility, you are not alone. We are a small group of women affected by infertility and all of its collateral damage. We meet regularly to pray, share our stories, and encourage one another as we face these difficult battles. We would love for you to join us. Contact: Karissa Taylor karissalynnetaylor@gmail.com Mangroup Contact: Dan Koch dancoke@gmail.com Parent List Contact: Linn Haralson linn@graceseattle.org Play Group Parents from Grace meet on a weekday morning in the Northgate neighborhood. Contact: Ruth Haubenstock haubenstockr@gmail.com Women s Gatherings Contact: Karissa Taylor karissalynnetaylor@gmail.com CLASSIFIEDS Sean McGrath is looking to rent a room in someone's house/apt in the Capitol Hill or Beacon Hill area. Clean, conscientious, responsible, and laid back. Great record collection, and dishwasher extraordinaire. Looking for $400-$800 per month range. Please call or (425) seanmcgrathmusic@gmail.com 10

14 COMMUNITY GROUPS Community groups are places of care and community where we learn more about living the Christian life together. Each group is unique and has its own "personality," and yet all groups are focused on growing in relationship with God and with each other. Groups meet on different nights in various neighborhoods around the city, and include time for fellowship, study and reflection, and prayer together. Contact: Debbie Smith Neighborhood Contact Time Info BALLARD Andy & Hannah Garcia 7:30 PM Wednesdays except 4th Wednesday Mixed group of adults. BELLEVUE Delbert & Candice Duck 5:00 PM Every other Sunday Mixed group of adults. Children welcome. Babysitting provided. CAPITOL HILL Elizabeth Matzen 7:30 PM Wednesdays Young adults. CAPITOL HILL Michael & Amy Taron 7:30 PM Tuesdays Young Adults. CENTRAL DISTRICT Amanda Cook 6:30 PM Every other Thursday Dinner included EASTLAKE Miriam Decker 7:00 PM Wednesdays except 3rd Weds Mixed group of adults. GREEN LAKE Mike Behnke & Gloria VonGeldern 6:00 PM Wednesdays Mixed group of adults. Potluck dinner. Children welcome. HAWTHORNE HILLS Orion & Rebecca Ifland 10:00 AM 2nd & 4th Saturdays Mixed group of adults. Children welcome. LAKE CITY Grace Weigel 6:00 PM Every other Thursday Mixed group of adults. Children welcome. Potluck Dinner. LAKE FOREST PARK Dan Koch & Jaffrey Bagge 7:00 PM 1st Mondays Mixed group of adults. Children welcome. Potluck dinner. NORTH SEATTLE Daniel & Jacqueline Rogers 7:30 PM Every other Wednesday Young adults. QUEEN ANNE Eric & Joy Hadden 6:30 PM 1st & 3rd Mondays Mixed group of adults. Children welcome. SANDPOINT Edna Parzybok 6:30 PM Every other Wednesday Mixed group of adults. Children welcome. SOUTH SEATTLE Santino & Alica Pascua 6:00 PM 1st Fridays 4:30 PM 3rd Sundays Mixed group of adults. Potluck dinner. Children welcome. Babysitting provided. SAMMAMISH Greg Hohman & Pamela Kortrey 6:30 PM 1st Fridays 4:30 PM 3rd Sundays Mixed group of adults. Potluck dinner. Children welcome. WEDGWOOD Lee & Amy Grooms 7:00 PM 1st and 3rd Tuesdays Mixed group of adults. 11

15 SERMON TEXT Genesis 1:1-5 [1] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. [2] The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. [3] And God said, Let there be light, and there was light. [4] And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. [5] God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. I John 1:1-5; 2:15-17; 5:21 [1] That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life [2] the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us [3] that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. [4] And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. [5] This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

16 STAFF Rev. John Haralson, Pastor Debbie Smith, Community Formation Director Jess Alldredge, Worship Arts Director Heidi Hansen, Grace Kids Director Mary McMurray, Ministry Administrator Emily Tacke, Sunday Facilities Coordinator Bookkeeper Hannah Gaskins, Grace Kids Host MINISTRY COORDINATORS Jessica Jakubiak, YCG Sara Huey, Meals Ministry Renée Huie, Connection Center Coleen Marta, Serving Seattle Abby St. Hilaire, Serving the World Jo Taniguchi, Premarital Mentoring ELDERS Dan Huie Matt Parzybok Adam Schuyler Darik Taniguchi Nat Taylor DEACONS Lee Grooms Bob Montgomery DIACONAL ASSISTANTS Heather Andrews Erika Schuyler REFORMED UNIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP (RUF) Rev. Drew Burdette MAKING DISCIPLES. SERVING THE CITY. Grace Church Seattle is a worshipping community in Capitol Hill, Seattle rooted in the belief that the historic Christian gospel is true, compelling, and transformative. Worship Location 1300 E Aloha St Seattle, WA Office Location 400 E Pine, Suite 215 Seattle, WA graceseattle.org office@graceseattle.org