Advent excerpt nov 2013 get con

ILLUMINATE Go Light Your World

Advent Worship Series – Week 3 December 15, 2013

Joy for the Light Announcements and Offering Drama – Repeat the Sounding Joy TB-103 – same Additional Optional Songs TB-552 – Adeste SB#85 – O come, all ye faithful Fideles HC#140 – same HC-140 HC-121 HC#121 – Joyful, Joyful TB-435 – Europe HC#74 – All our hearts rejoice this HC-121 – Joyful, morning Joyful SB#84 – Joy to the world!

HTD4-T9 (3 vs.)

HTD3-T1 (3 vs.)

HCD12-T20 HCD11-T11 HTD3-T11 (4 vs.)

HCD11-T11

The Candle of Joy The Candles of Advent Reader 1:

The first Sunday of Advent we lit the prophecy candle in our Advent wreath. It is also called the candle of hope. We light it again today as we remember Jesus, who was born Christ and King. And we remember that he will come again to fulfill all of God’s promises to us.

[A person lights the HOPE candle.]

Reader 2:

Last Sunday we lit the Bethlehem candle, the candle of love. We light it again today as we remember that Christ, who was born in Bethlehem, has come as Savior and Redeemer. The babe of Bethlehem has come out of love to bring redemption.

[A person lights the LOVE candle.]

Reader 1:

Today we light the third candle of Advent; it is the shepherd candle, the candle of joy. When the angel Gabriel told Mary that a special child would be born to her, Mary was filled with joy. She sang a song that began with the words: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47, NKJV).†

Reader 2:

Just as the birth of Jesus gave great joy to his mother, so his presence in the world gave joy to those who had none before. He healed them and gave them hope when they believed in him. From hope grows joy.

Reader 1:

Shepherds on the hillside outside the city were told by a multitude of angels that the babe born in Bethlehem would bring “Joy to the World,” but more importantly he would be the “Joy of the World.”

Reader 2:

We light the candle of joy to remind us that when Jesus is born in us, we have joy and that through him there will be everlasting joy on earth.

[A person lights the JOY candle.]

Reader 1:

Joy is like a light shining in a dark place. As we look at this candle, we celebrate the joy we find in Jesus Christ.

Reader 2:

Let us pray: “Thank you, God, for the joy you give us. We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us. Help us today and every day to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your joy with each other. We ask it in the name of the One who was born in Bethlehem. Amen.”

* Adapted from Gary Lee Waller, Celebrations and Observances of the Church Year (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2009), 89-94. † Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.

TB-306 – Dix SB#76 – As with gladness men of old Additional Optional Songs HC-169 HC#169 – Hallelujah HC-146 HC#146 – Here I am to Worship

No CD HCD16-T19 HCD13-T16

Call to Worship: Three lights dance on top of the candles, illuminating our Advent journey. Hope and love are now accompanied by great joy as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of the Son of God that is less than two weeks away. God’s presence in our activities and prayers is the reason for our deep sense of joy.

Christian joy is greater than the joy the world offers. The world offers us joy in sleek-designed gadgets wrapped in shiny paper. The world’s joy lasts only for a time. Christian joy flows from memories of all the ways God was present in the impossible moments of life. Money from an unknown donor, survival from a severe illness or accident, and an encouraging word in a time of despair—all are examples of God’s presence in life’s impossible moments. Add all those stories to the countless stories from the time of Genesis to today, and you have reason for great joy. So let’s throw all of our efforts into joyfully preparing for the celebration of our Savior, who has come and will come again.

(Illuminate: An Advent Experience, page 48)

TB-552 – Adeste Fideles HC-140 Additional Optional Songs TB-435 – Europe HC#74 – All our hearts rejoice this HC-121 – Joyful, morning Joyful HC-121 HC#121 – Joyful, Joyful SB#85 – O come, all ye faithful HC#140 – same

HTD3-T1 (3 vs.)

HCD12-T20 HTD3-T11 (4 vs.)

HCD11-T11 HCD11-T11

Children’s Moment: Show and Tell [See “Children’s Moment” after drama script. The idea is the same as the Responsive Scripture.

DO NOT USE BOTH the Children’s Moment and the Responsive Scripture.]

The Voice Responsive Scripture: Leader:

We can’t continue our journey to Bethlehem without giving John the Baptist our attention once again, even though he doesn’t want our attention. He wants all our attention on the One who is coming after him.

All:

6

Leader:

At the Jordan River this strange-looking prophet announces to the gathered crowd the coming of the Messiah, who will usher in the kingdom of God. And nearby a black-robed committee of religious leaders stands listening as the Baptist preaches a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin.

All:

19

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

Leader:

The Baptist, squinting in the bright sunlight, locks eyes with the committee.

Right away he tells them who he is not.

All:

21

Leader:

He said, “I am not.”

All:

“Are you the Prophet?”

Leader:

He answered, “No.”

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. (John 1:6-8, NIV)

They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

All:

22

Leader:

23

All:

“I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

Leader:

The religious committee is not amused. This wilderness baptizer is not the Messiah, nor does he seem to be any of the expected forerunners of the Messiah.

John will not let them trap him into making any outlandish claims.

All:

24

Leader:

26

Leader:

John is scanning the crowd looking for Jesus, because he knows, after all, that he is just a voice. As the voice, he will proclaim something strong and deeply moving. With boldness and confidence, John will introduce the Christ:

All:

29

Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet,

Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

“Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

(John 1:19-29, NIV)

Leader:

Now we are ready for the really big announcement—through God’s angelic messenger—shocking awake a sleepy world:

All:

10

“Do not be afraid: for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, NRSV).

(Illuminate: An Advent Experience, pages 44-46)

TB-322 – same SB#82 – Hark! the herald angels sing Additional Optional Songs HC-176 HC#176 – Holy is the Lord

HTD4-T5 (3 vs.)

HCD16-T16

Testimony [Ask someone ahead of time to share about a person who, like John the Baptist, helped point and direct him or her toward Christ. Have this person share this story in the service.]

Pastoral Prayer Message: Joy for the Light

HC-156 Additional Optional Songs HC-186 HC#186 – When I Look into Your Holiness HC-179 HC#179 – Come to Jesus HC#156 – Enter In

HCD14-T16 HCD17-T16 HCD16-T19

Benediction:

Go Light Your World TB-552 – Adeste Fideles HC-140 Additional Optional Songs HC-151 HC#151 – Fairest Lord Jesus Song: Go Light Your World (The Candle Song)

By Chris Rice, published by Word Music (SATB – 0 80689 1407 3) SB#85 – O come, all ye faithful HC#140 – same

There is a candle in every soul Some brightly burning, some dark and cold And there is a spirit who brings a fire Ignites a candle and makes his home Carry your candle, and run to the darkness Seek out the helpless, confused and torn And hold out your candle for all to see it Take your candle, and go light your world Take your candle, and go light your world Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to Light his own candle some other way See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to Still holds a candle without a flame 'Cause we are a family whose hearts are blazing So let's raise our candles and light up the sky Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus Make us a beacon in darkest times

HTD3-T1 (3 vs.)

HCD12-T20 HCD14-T11

ILLUMINATE Go Light Your World!

Advent Worship Series – Week 3 December 15, 2013

Children’s Moment: Show and Tell Theme: Object: Scripture:

Showing and telling others about Jesus.

Ask several children to bring objects of their choosing for “Show and Tell.” (This should be pre-arranged, and depends on how much time you have.)

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29, 34, NIV)

What do you like best about school? Is it reading? Writing? Math? Spelling? Recess? Well, when I was in school, I think my favorite thing was “Show and Tell.” I always looked forward to the days when we had “Show and Tell” because it gave me the chance to show and tell others about something that was really important to me.

I have asked several of you to bring something this morning to show to the other children and tell them something about it. Who would like to go first? [Depending on how much time you have, allow several of the children to have their time of “Show and Tell.”]

I want to thank those who shared with us in “Show and Tell” time this morning. I really enjoyed seeing what you had to show us and I learned a lot from what you told us. It is really fun to show and tell others about something that is really important to you, isn’t it?

The Bible tells us about a man named John—we talked about him last Sunday—who loved to “show and tell” others about Jesus. The Bible says that one day John was standing with a group of people when he saw Jesus coming. He said, “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:29, 34, NIV) Because John loved to show and tell others about Jesus, many people came to know Jesus and follow him.

It is important for you and me to show and tell others about Jesus too. We can show others about Jesus by doing the things that Jesus taught us to do—things like loving one another and being helpful and kind. Then people will see that we know Jesus and that will give us a chance to tell them about him. We can tell them about what he has done for us and what he wants to do for them. Yes, each day we should show and tell others about Jesus!

Dear Jesus, help us this week to “show and tell” others about you and your love. Amen.