Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
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DECEMBER 14 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING: JOY

SONG
“We Light a Candle”
We light a candle for joy
and our world that’s longing for joy
We light a candle for joy
and our world that’s longing for joy
Holy One, shine with the fire of our lives, oh
We light a candle for joy
and our world that’s longing for joy

PRAYER
All: God of Joy, Lift our hearts from sorrow. Replace our fear with singing, and let joy rise within us again. Amen.

OPENING SONG *
“O Come, Take Heart”
O come, O come though timid and unsure
And trust that God declares your worth
Remember when you’re feeling small
That every child of God is called

 Refrain: Take heart, take heart! The One who calls to you
Will give you strength and see you through

 O come, O come though you feel unprepared
When courage fails you, do it scared
Don’t let the fear of making mistakes
Impede you from the path you’re called to take [Refrain]

O come and join God’s kin-dom work
And be God’s hands and feet on earth
You’re called exactly as you are
To love the world with every broken part [Refrain] 

CALL TO CONFESSION *

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
All: Courageous God, you invite us to live into our call. You invite us to act, to serve, and to trust. Instead of responding with a resounding “yes,” we often hide our face. We dig our heels in. We look for someone else to volunteer. Spark courage in us. Remind us that every person is capable of making a difference. Remind us that even when we’re scared, we are not alone.  You invite us forward. With baby steps we hope, we pray, amen.

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS *
One: Family of faith, no matter where your path has led you in the past, today is a new day. So join me in declaring this good news:
All: We are known. We are forgiven! We are sent to serve. May we step forward in faith, always moving closer to God’s call. Amen.

GLORIA *
Gloria in excelsis Deo! Gloria in excelsis Deo!

PASSING THE PEACE

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SONG

SCRIPTURE (Jeremiah 1:4-10; Luke 1:26-39)

SERMON

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
One: Calling God, as we move through this world, open our ears to hear your voice. As we move through this world, open our hearts to the invitations, the inspiration, and the nudges you place in our lives. As we move through this world, God, allow us to hear whatever call you have in store for us in this season.
All: For no matter how big or how small, we trust that you are a calling, inviting, nudging, inspiring God who sees us in the best light.
One: We pray, that we, like Mary, may be open to God’s call—courageous in faith and willing to bear Christ into the world through our words and actions.
All: We pray for places burdened by conflict, injustice, and fear. We pray that God’s promise of peace would break through in surprising and lasting ways. That all who feel unworthy, forgotten, or afraid may hear the angel’s words: “Do not be afraid, for you have found favor with God.” That those overwhelmed by life’s burdens may know God’s strength, and that like Mary, they may find joy in trusting God's promises. For those longing for healing, for justice, for reconciliation, or for hope—may they find comfort in the coming of Christ.
One: We pray that in this Advent season, we may make space in our lives for Christ to be born anew, in hope, in joy, in faith, and in love.  We pray together the words your son taught us to pray, even if our voices shake, saying…

LORD’S PRAYER
All: 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.

CLOSING SONG *
“My Soul Gives Glory to My God” (#130)
My soul gives glory to my God.
My heart pours out its praise.
God lifted up my lowliness
in many marvelous ways.

My God has done great things for me:
yes, holy is her name.
All people will declare me blessed,
and blessings they shall claim.

From age to age to all who fear,
such mercy love imparts,
dispensing justice far and near,
dismissing selfish hearts.

Love casts the mighty from their thrones,
promotes the insecure,
leaves hungry spirits satisfied,
the rich seem suddenly poor.

Praise God, whose loving covenant
supports those in distress,
remembering past promises
with present faithfulness.

CLOSING MESSAGE *

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit