Gathering Our Spirit to God's Spirit

We’ve got a table covered with many candles, a few of them very tall. This is our Advent Wreath this year. The tall candle of Hope remains, as does the short candle for Peace. The candle of Love is in the center. The Eye Chart emphasizes the words “I see God in.” We will draw on small pieces of plastic and then those will be collected at the offering and hung on fishing line in strands (like those ‘60s beads) in front of the eye chart (all during the service).

• “Strange Way to Save the World” by 4-Him plays
• A Journeyer steps up to light the lamp and another rings the bell
• David (E) and Leslie (L) make announcements

Worshiping with Our Children

• A Journeyer leads our children in talking about Advent meaning that Christmas is coming, and this week we talk about Joseph, Jesus’ father. Everything about the birth of Jesus didn’t make sense to Joseph, but he trusted God. Joseph was faithful and responsible and compassionate -- and look how Jesus turned out!

Welcome and Breathe

• David welcomes, has us breathe…
• Trade As One video plays

Love

• A Journey family reads the Advent Welcome

Reader A: Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Advent is the season in which we look for, and prepare ourselves for, the presence of God with us.

Reader B: We can talk a good game when it comes to love in our world, and there are some wonderful things happening. We give a lot of gifts during Christmas, we feed a lot of people and we have red, blue and brown Santas giving presents all over Austin. We are fighting slavery and homelessness, need and neglect. But even in the midst of this generosity and compassion, we ache for love -- sacrificial, unconditional, logic-defying love.

Reader C: We light the candle of Love. Economic difficulty cannot devalue it. War cannot disarm it. Abuse or neglect cannot control it. Hate cannot snuff it out. Love has become flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood. There goes the neighborhood.

Reader A: Let us pray. Dear God, we ask You to come to us this Advent season. Speak to us. Call to us. Show us Your vision for the world. It is a vision that looks like, tastes like, and acts like Love. “For God so loved the world, he gave…” We embrace this Advent; we embrace Your gift of pure Love. Amen.

• Darden Smith sings
• Two Journeyers read Matthew 1:18-25 (The Message) and Luke 2:1-5 (New Living Translation)
• David talks about living with uncertainty and introduces the painting/drawing on plastic pieces activity

Giving -- To Help God Do God's Work in This World

• A Journeyer reads Matthew 2:13-15 (New Living Translation) and then leads an offertory prayer
• Darden Smith sings “All Around You” as the ushers pass the baskets and then take them to the foot of the cross. (Folks are to put their drawings on plastic in the offering baskets as well.)

Telling The Story and Our Story

• A Journeyer reads Matthew 2:19-23 (New Living Translation)
• Rick talks
• Rick asks the Journey Plastic Hangers to come forth and hang plastic verily and forsooth

Go Out to Serve with Mercy and Grace

• A Journeyer (preferably a woman) reads Jeremiah 29-11 (New Living Translation) and Proverbs 3:5-6 (New Living Translation)
• David leads a Journey responsive prayer

Every Day: A Journey Responsive Prayer

Reader: You see us, You know us, You love us… and You are all around.

Journey: Every day.

Reader: You see the world You created. You see hope where we see hopelessness and fear.

Journey: Every day.

Reader: Your heart aches for peace in our world, for nations, for communities, for individuals. It is why Jesus became flesh and blood--to be our Peace Ambassador.

Journey: Every day.

Reader: You call us to go places, meet people, interrupt our schedules, and step out of our comfort zones because You know where we need to be in order to be Love in the world.

Journey: Every day.

Reader: So here we go… trusting what we cannot see, but knowing that when You move into the neighborhood, the Neighborhood Association will never be the same. File those by-laws and ordinances under “L” for Love.

Journey: Every day. Every day. Amen.

• Darden Smith sings
• David dismisses
• “Strange Way to Save the World” plays again as folks depart