Worship Planning Tools-Advent 2024

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1 December 2024 8 December 2024 15 December 2024 22 December 2024 25 December 2024 29 December 2024

_________________________________________________________________________________ WORSHIP RESOURCES

1 December 2024 First Sunday of Advent (Joy)

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Joy before Us Additional Scriptures Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; Luke 21:25-36; Doctrine and Covenants 163:10a-b Preparation During Advent, create a tabletop wreath for a center of worship. Candles are placed in a wreath with greenery around them. The circle of greenery reminds us that God is without beginning or end. Four purple or dark blue candles, one for each week in Advent, are set in the circle. A rose-colored candle may be used for the week of Advent that represents joy. A white Christ candle for Christmas Day is placed in the center. Each Sunday the previous week’s candle(s) is relit before the service, and one additional candle is lit. Light the fifth candle, the Christ candle, during a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service to signify the birth of Jesus. For a hybrid service, encourage those watching from home to create their own Advent worship center.

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “joy.”

Decorate with the liturgical color of the season, deep blue.

Prior to the Advent season, invite participants to suggest their favorite Christmas carols to be sung during the gathering time of each Advent worship service.

Remind those online to prepare their Communion emblems.

Praise Prelude Gathering with Carols of the Season “Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

Choose 1 or 2 songs CCS 394

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” “Joy to the World”

CCS 400 CCS 408

OR Sing carols that have been previously suggested by participants.

Welcome As is tradition in the Community of Christ, because today is the first Sunday of December, we invite you all to share in Communion.

Invitation to Communion All are welcome at Christ’s table. Communion is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others might have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

We come together in joy for the first Sunday in Advent! Let us embody the joy of the season in our relationships with others as we worship together today. May we continue on the journey toward Bethlehem with joyful anticipation.

Lighting of the Advent Candles Advent is the season in the Christian calendar that celebrates the four Sundays before Christmas.

In Latin, Advent means “coming” and it is a time to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas, the coming of Jesus into our world.

Today, we light the candle of joy.

Light candle.

Joy is a song for all to sing! We are also invited to share with others the joy we have found in and with God. Hymn Response “Hope Is a Light” Stanza 3 CCS 398 Learn the American Sign Language sign for “joy” and teach it to the children so they can accompany participants during this hymn with the sign when this word is sung.

How to sign: Horizontal flat hand brushes up chest twice in an oval motion.

Proclamation of the Word Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Homily Based on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Ministry of Music OR Congregational Hymn “I Danced in the Morning” OR “Wait for the Lord” Sing several times.

Confession Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Communion Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:17-30

CCS 23 CCS 399

Communion Talk Confession In preparation for Communion, we will join in the spiritual practice of confession, to examine our hearts and bring into the light those things that hide in the dark recesses of our beings. In this way, we give them to God, ask for forgiveness, and be made new in God’s mercy and grace.

Place your hands in your lap, palms facing up in a posture of openness.

Our scripture will be read three times, pausing after each reading. In the moments of silence reflect on those things you wish to bring into the light and give to God in an act of confession and repentance. The last period of silence will be closed with “Amen.”

Scripture of Confession: Doctrine and Covenants 163:10a-b Moment of silence Repeat reading of Scripture of Confession Moment of silence Repeat reading of Scripture of Confession Moment of silence Amen.

Commitment Hymn of Preparation “I Come with Joy, A Child of God” OR “I Wonder as I Wander” OR “Is There One Who Feels Unworthy?”

CCS 533 CCS 435 CCS 526

Blessing and Serving of Bread and Wine Log in to Our Ministry Tools and search for Guidelines Lord’s Supper. If you have not used this library of resources, go to CofChrist.org/our-ministry-tools.

Prayer for Peace Light the peace candle.

Peace Prayer Igniter of the First Flame, You who gives oxygen to fire, you who gives fig trees fruit, you who gives expectant people hope, grant peace to those who wait in despair. As we celebrate joy, we know many struggle to feel your joy and peace. They struggle to find their voice in the world because they have lost the joy of singing and shouting excitedly!

But you are faithful, God. You will restore joy to those who have lost it, you will bring peace to the nations and return joy to lives in despair. Excite us anew, O God, that we might share our joy with others and work for the kind of peace that delights you. As the potter forms clay, form us into a peaceful community that embraces and exudes peace.

Pump us full of oxygen again, so that the peace flame might spark and grow and spread to all this season. Amen.

—Tiffany and Caleb Brian

Disciples’ Generous Response Reading: “A Christmas Prayer,” pages 2-3 in Prayer Seeds by Joyce Rupp, Sorin Books, 2017, ISBN 13 978-1-933495-98-9 OR “No Obvious Angels” Stanza 1 CCS 418 Oblation On this Sunday as we share in the sacraments, our loose offerings are dedicated to Abolishing Poverty and Ending Needless Suffering. This is how God’s generous compassion grows more visible in tangible ways.

Statement During the Advent season, we are reminded of God’s abundant generosity in the gift of his son, Jesus. As we reflect on this freely given gift, may we be reminded that God calls us to bless the world with our own gifts. As we generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion, bringing hope to the world.

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).

Blessing and Receiving of Oblation, Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes Hymn of Joy in Giving “In the Bleak Midwinter” CCS 422 “We Lift Our Voices” CCS 618 OR “My Gratitude Now Accept, O God/Gracias, Señor” CCS 614/615 Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

Benediction Sending Forth: Psalm 25:4-10 Postlude

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS Year C—Letters First Sunday of Advent

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Exploring the Scripture A central message in Paul’s letter to the new church community in Thessalonica is to encourage people. He counsels them to deepen their love for one another as they grow in faith and prepare for Christ’s return. The preacher can approach this scripture text in two parts—Paul’s acknowledgment and joy of the community’s continued faithfulness (v. 9–10) and Paul’s prayer for the people as they prepare for Christ’s coming (v.11–13).

This new group experienced cultural challenges and persecution as the disciples tried to live and share in love and faith. Through their witness, Paul found strength and hope that filled him with joy.

Though Paul no longer lived with them, he felt the blessings of community. They reciprocated Paul’s love in how they lived their faith, their love for Christ, and their love for Paul.

When we are willing to make our love and faith known, we make it possible for others to experience the hope that can fill their lives with joy. The blessings of a community formed in Christ-like love can be the stimulus of hope coming alive in another. When hope is alive, it opens a pathway for us to receive and share love.

As Paul expresses his love and joy for this community, he shares a moment of blessing with it, which is the second part of the text. Paul’s prayer reminds people that the strength they can experience increases as they grow in love for one another and all, just as they experienced Paul’s love for them. In his prayer, Paul invites them to widen the circle and to see the Worth of All Persons. But as his prayer continues, he calls them to remember that Jesus strengthens their hearts as they continue to live faithfully with an attitude of holiness and prepare for Christ’s coming.

Their growth in communal love reflects their preparation for Christ’s coming. Paul’s prayer for the community does not counsel it to sit and wait for Christ’s coming; his prayer encourages people to keep living, loving, and caring for all. In this act of living and loving, discipleship will deepen.

Paul’s focus is not on what Christ has done, but on what Christ has been doing and Christ’s role in the future. In many ways, this is what Advent invites us to ponder. Advent is when we find ourselves on the journey to the manger as we remember and celebrate what God did for us through the life of Jesus. But Advent does not end at the manger. The Advent journey of reflection and remembering awakens us to be intentional to see what Christ is doing and will do among us.

Advent is a time for us to deepen our faith as we live, love, and care for all as Christ has for us.

To hope is to live purposefully, knowing God’s love so we can love one another as living expressions of life as disciples.

On this first week of Advent, we invite the faith community to let hope be alive within people.

Paul’s words of encouragement and prayer point us toward a future formed in God’s deep love for all.

Love makes hope possible! Christ will come because love is at the heart of who Christ is and what Christ yearns for the whole creation to experience.

Central Ideas 1. The Blessings of Community formed in Christ-like love can be the stimulus of hope coming alive in others.

2. The Advent journey invites us to see what Christ is doing among us intentionally and as we live into the future with Christ.

3. Paul’s words of encouragement and prayer point us toward a future formed in God’s deep love for all.

4. Christ will come because love is at the heart of who Christ is.

Questions for the Speaker 1. When has the faithfulness of your community blessed your life with joy? Celebrate those moments with the community.

2. When have you experienced acts of love awakening the presence of hope in another and your life?

3. How do you see Christ moving and working among the community during this Advent season?

4. Even through life’s struggles, how can our effort to be faithful to Christ help us live with love and hope?

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY Year C, Letters

First Sunday of Advent—Joy

1 Thessalonians 3:9–13 Communion Gathering Welcome Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation for Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.

The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and is observed each Sunday until Christmas Day. An Advent wreath with four candles and one Christ candle in the center often is used to observe the weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each week until all are burning brightly on Christmas Day.

Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Sower of seeds, you promise to feed your flock like a shepherd, to gather your lambs, to gently lead. In this time of Advent darkness, we sit in hope for the things to come. We gather in community to hear of your promises of peace and redemption. We hope that in the grand design of this time of rest for Earth that you will bring us peace.

God, open our eyes to the hope that you have for the world to be at peace. Help us to gather in those who feel no hope in this time, that they may find new life in you. Bring us all to a place of hope again. From that new sense of hope, allow us to go and proclaim peace, to be peace in our neighborhoods, to act for peace in the world at-large.

God, we hope for a time of peace again, we hope for the promises of your peace made real through Jesus again, we hope for a deeper connection with you again. Grant us the peace to hope again. Amen.

Spiritual Practice Journaling—Pregnant Waiting Materials: • Advent wreath or a ring for four candles and one white candle in the center • paper and pens or pencils

Light the first candle of Advent and say: Today we light the first candle of Advent. This candle symbolizes hope in new life. May we have hope in that new life, which is coming forth in us.

Read the following: The liturgical year begins with a pregnant woman waiting for the birth of her child. Was Mary tired? Was she worn out the last few weeks before the birth? Was she just hoping to get it over with?

Much waiting has to be done before a child is born. In both pregnancy and the spiritual life, waiting can be tiring, frustrating, and worrisome. Advent is about the journey to the birth of Jesus. It’s a time to pause, to wait, to reflect on what things are being birthed within us.

Pass out papers and pens and ask: What new thing is God doing within you and around you to bring hope to the world?

Give the group five minutes to journal and then invite people to share thoughts and feelings that surfaced during this spiritual practice.

Sharing Around the Table 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13 NRSVue How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

A central message in Paul’s letter to the new church community in Thessalonica is to encourage it. These people are experiencing cultural challenges and persecution as they try to live and share in love and faith. Through their witness, Paul finds strength and hope that fills him with joy. Though Paul no longer lived with them, he felt the blessings of this small community.

As Paul expresses his love and joy for this community, he shares a moment of blessing with the people. Paul’s prayer reminds them that the strength they experience increases as they grow in love for one another, just as they experienced Paul’s love for them. In his prayer, Paul invites them to widen the circle and to see the Worth of All Persons.

Paul also calls them to remember that Jesus strengthens their hearts as they continue to live faithfully with an attitude of holiness and prepare for Christ’s return. Paul’s prayer does not counsel the community to simply sit and wait. His prayer encourages people to keep living, loving, and caring for all. In this act of living and loving, their discipleship will deepen.

Advent is when we find ourselves on the journey to the manger as we remember and celebrate God’s gift of love in the life of Jesus. But Advent does not end at the manger. The Advent journey of reflection and remembering awakens us to be intentional to see what Christ is doing and will do among us. Advent is a time for us to deepen our faith as we live, love, and care for all as Christ has for us. In this first week of Advent, you are invited to let Paul’s words of encouragement live in you.

Questions 1. When has someone offered encouraging words to you? How did that feel?

2. How are you living, loving, and caring for others this Advent season?

3. How can you encourage others with words of hope and acts of love?

Sending Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

The offering prayer for Advent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.

God who is faithful, be present with us as we plan our spending. May we use our resources in ways that build healthy, happy relationships with you, with others, and with Earth. May we remember the teachings of Jesus that challenge us to make lifestyle choices that are counter to our culture of accumulation and excess. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn Community of Christ Sings 398, “Hope Is a Light” Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group • •

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children

Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Sower of seeds, you promise to feed your flock like a shepherd, to gather your lambs, to gently lead. In this time of Advent darkness, we sit in hope for the things to come. We gather in community to hear of your promises of peace and redemption. We hope that in the grand design of this time of rest for Earth that you will bring us peace.

God, open our eyes to the hope that you have for the world to be at peace. Help us to gather in those who feel no hope in this time, that they may find new life in you. Bring us all to a place of hope again. From that new sense of hope, allow us to go and proclaim peace, to be peace in our neighborhoods, to act for peace in the world at-large.

God, we hope for a time of peace again, we hope for the promises of your peace made real through Jesus again, we hope for a deeper connection with you again. Grant us the peace to hope again. Amen.

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

—1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSVue Communion Statement All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community.

• • • • • •

In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings (choose from below options): 516, “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread” 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together” 523, “As We Gather at Your Table” 526, “Is There One Who Feels Unworthy?”

528, “Eat This Bread” 532, “We Meet as Friends at Table”

Thoughts for Children This activity continues throughout Advent.

Materials • Evergreens branches (or other local flora). You can choose to have participants collect these from outside* your meeting location as part of the gathering, or you can collect them beforehand.

It is OK to use fake plants, but real are best.

For Advent this year, you will need a place where your Advent spiral can stay each week. You can leave it where it is after every gathering or store it somewhere safe and rebuild it before your gathering each week.

Say: Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting, but it also is a journey toward Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year, as we journey through Advent, we will create an Advent spiral. Each week we will add something to our spiral, so it will grow as we get closer to Christmas.

This week, we are going to begin by building our spiral. Our spiral will need to be large enough that we can walk through it. Say either…

1. I have brought some greenery that we can use to make a spiral shape on the floor.

2. We are going to go outside and look for some green branches.

The reason we are collecting greenery is because it reminds us that even in the cold of the winter there is still life and joy!

Help participants use the collected branches to create a spiral shape on the floor. Thank them for their help and invite them back the following week to see what we will add to our spiral. * If you choose this option, help participants respect plant and animal life by finding branches already on the ground or near falling off.

WORSHIP RESOURCES 8 December 2024 Second Sunday of Advent (Love)

Philippians 1:3–11 Love Overflows Additional Scriptures Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 3:1-6 Preparation During Advent, create a tabletop wreath for a center of worship. Candles are placed in a wreath with greenery around them. The circle of greenery reminds us that God is without beginning or end. Four purple or dark blue candles, one for each week in Advent, are set in the circle. A rose-colored candle may be used for the week of Advent that represents joy. A white Christ candle for Christmas Day is placed in the center. Each Sunday the previous week’s candle(s) is relit before the service, and one additional candle is lit. Light the fifth candle, the Christ candle, during a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service to signify the birth of Jesus. For a hybrid service, encourage those watching from home to create their own Advent worship center.

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “love.”

Decorate with the liturgical color of the season, deep blue.

Before the Advent season, invite participants to suggest their favorite Christmas carols to be sung during the gathering time of each Advent worship service.

Plan to read from Kneeling in Bethlehem, by Ann Weems, The Westminster Press, copyright 1980/1983/1987 ISBN 978-0-664-22888-0.

Plan to read The Examen Book, by Paul Mitchell, illustrated by Katie Broussard; Loyola Press, copyright 2022. ISBN 978-0-8294-5127-6.

Praise Prelude Gathering with Carols of the Season Choose one or two. “like a child” “God’s Love Made Visible” “What Child Is This” “People Look East” OR Sing carols that have been previously suggested by participants.

Call to Worship: Luke 1:68-79

CCS 403 CCS 411 CCS 432 CCS 395

Welcome Today is the second Sunday of Advent. We celebrate the love of God for us and our love for one another.

Focus Moment Read, “God So Loved the World,” from Kneeling in Bethlehem, by Ann Weems.

OR “Making Room for Jesus” Verse 1 A weary hand knocks on the door of an inn, and there is no room!

No room, God of Love, for love to be born.

Oh, how we need your gift of love!

Love of neighbor, love of enemy, love of self.

Healthy love, holistic love.

Healing love that melts the ice of alienation, that warms each heart with the wonder of acceptance for every child that love has birthed.

Surely there is room for love!

Love that seeks and saves. Love without strings.

Love for love’s own sake uncaused, uncalculated, unrequiring.

—Danny Belrose in Wave Offerings, Herald House 2005.

Used with permission.

Lighting of the Advent Candles Advent is a season in the Christian calendar that marks the four Sundays before Christmas. In Latin, Advent means “coming” and is a time to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas, the coming of Jesus into our world.

Today we light the candle of love. Light candle.

Love is a gift our hearts can give. We are challenged to see the worth of all persons and to love others the way God loves us, unceasingly and unconditionally.

Hymn Response “Hope Is a Light” Stanza 4 CCS 398 Learn the American Sign Language sign for “love” and teach this to the children so they can accompany the participants during this hymn, with the sign for “love” when this word is sung.

The sign for "love" is made by crossing both hands over the middle of your chest.

Confession Spiritual Practice: Prayer of Examen To help children understand this practice, read The Examen Book.

The Prayer of Examen is a prayer form developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It is often prayed at the end of the day but might be used at any time to review the day with God. The intent is to recognize where we need forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and recommitment.

Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-6

John the Baptist reminds us to prepare for Jesus. Advent is a season of preparation, a time to examine ourselves and our world. John the Baptist challenges us to examine our lives, our values, and our priorities as we prepare the way of the Lord.

Lead your group through this prayer, line by line. Take your time, inviting them to pray and meditate on each statement.

Thank you, God, for the gifts of life and this day.

Allow us to see the day as we have lived it and the light of your love.

Let us reflect on the events, interactions, and emotions of this season of Advent.

Give us insight into the ways our responses have been loving.

Give us insight into the ways our responses may have been insensitive, unloving, or damaging to others, creation, or ourselves.

May we find in your grace and mercy... forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and release.

God, we give our tomorrow to you. May you be present in our thoughts, actions, and relationships as we move on to live a new day in the loving presence of Jesus.

Amen.

Hymn of Reflection “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” OR “Listen in the Silence” Sing three times.

OR “Come and Find the Quiet Center”

CCS 437 CCS 153 CCS 151

Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:3-11 Prayer for Peace Light the peace candle.

Peace Prayer Great Shepherd, You faithfully lead and guide us each day, yet we still feel like voices crying out in the wilderness. You have blessed us with abundant love, yet we struggle to feel that abundance.

God, as we look at the world today, we recognize that there are many who do not feel your love—who do not feel the love of their friends and families who may not be around to support them, who struggle with loss and division and join our voices calling out for a sign of your love.

God, grant us peace. Grant us peace that settles our weary hearts so that we can love again.

Grant us peace that allows us to love unconditionally so that others might recognize your light in our lives. By sharing the light of your love in our lives we believe that we can become peacemakers for those around us. Bless us with your love during Advent. Amen.

—Tiffany and Caleb Brian

Proclamation of the Word Message Based on Philippians 1:3-11 Hymn of Advent Love “Tomorrow Christ Is Coming” OR “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

CCS 406 CCS 27

Commitment Disciples’ Generous Response Story Share a summary of “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry.

This short story tells the story of a young couple, Jim and Della, who are struggling financially. On Christmas Eve, Jim and Della want to give each other a special gift. Della has been saving money to buy Jim a chain for his prized pocket watch, while Jim has been saving money to buy Della a set of combs for her beautiful hair. However, both must sell their most prized possessions to afford the gifts. Della sells her hair to buy the chain, while Jim sells his watch to buy the combs. On Christmas Eve, they exchange their gifts and realize what each other has done. They realize that their love for each other is more important than any material possession. The story ends with the narrator comparing Jim and Della’s sacrificial love to that of the Magi, who brought gifts to baby Jesus on the first Christmas Eve. Statement If we give gifts to show our love, how much more does God enjoy giving gifts to us?

“Seeing and receiving the grace of God’s incredible generosity is like letting the sun rise in our lives; it brings a new beginning for a new day and sends life-giving light into our lives.

The marvel of God’s generosity is not just its abundance. It always is given freely without considering the merit of those who receive it. Generosity freely given and abundantly expressed always is endless in its beauty and power. Through God’s grace and mercy, our acts of abundant generosity provide a banquet of love for the delight and lives of those who receive it.

Receiving and appreciating God’s generosity might begin with attempting to count, tabulate, and collect data. But it never ends there. Not only is God’s generosity beyond measure, it has less to do with how much it is and everything to do with what it reveals and what it does.

The abundance of God’s generosity is all about receiving what is endless and eternal. It brings life and light, not numbers. True generosity is not a matter of measurement but of its effect and what it transmits. God’s generosity conveys eternal life, which makes us rich beyond measure.”

—Pathway to Abundant Generosity: An Invitation to a Whole-life Journey of Abundant Generosity, pp. 7–8 During Advent, we are reminded of God’s abundant generosity in the gift of his son. As we reflect on this freely given gift, may we be reminded that God calls us to bless the world with our own gifts. As we generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion, bringing hope to the world.

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Closing Hymn “On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry” OR “like a child”

CCS 391 CCS 403

Benediction Sending Forth: Responsive Reading Leader: God’s love made visible! Incomprehensible! He is invincible!

People: His love shall reign!

Leader: From love so bountiful, blessings uncountable make death surmountable!

People: His love shall reign!

Leader: Joyfully pray for peace and good will!

All of our yearning he will fulfill.

People: Live in a loving way! Praise him for every day!

Leader: Open your hearts and pray!

All: His love shall reign!

—Iola Brubeck, “God’s Love Made Visible!”

CCS 411, stanza 1.

Postlude .

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS Year C—Letters Second Sunday of Advent

Philippians 1:3–11 Exploring the Scripture The warmth of friendship in sacred community is obvious throughout Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. The verses in this introduction express gratitude and affection for the community. It is the longest introduction of Paul’s letters, which suggests a particular fondness for the Philippian church.

The introduction sets up the themes of the letter. Those themes include Paul’s suffering, Christlike love, and servanthood. He also discusses his supportive relationship with the community and his wish for unity and right relations among the people. The letter closes with a pastoral prayer of intercession for the spiritual well-being of this beloved community in preparation for Christ’s return.

The inbreaking of God’s love through Jesus’s birth is a memory that points to a hope-filled future. Thus, Paul’s admonition to prepare speaks to disciples readying for what God is birthing in this season of Advent.

In his greeting and introduction, Paul expresses grace and gratitude. In Greek, these words have similar roots (grace—charis; gratitude—“I give thanks”—eucharisto). Paul sometimes uses them interchangeably in his writings. His imprisonment deepens his gratitude for and longing to be with his cherished companions in gospel witness. Paul expresses joy and gratitude for their sharing in the gospel, for it goes beyond common belief or practice. Doing such is of mutual love and support and oneness in a Christ-centered community.

Paul’s wish is for the community to address whatever threatens its unity and to grow in love and wisdom toward greater oneness. As God began the good work of grace among them, Paul encouraged them to continue this good work by loving one another and growing in knowledge. His wish is for them to experience with one another the love and support they have shown him. His wish is also for them to grow in right relationships with God and one another, embodying the morals of Christ’s peace. Paul’s prayer is that the love of God and one another will lead to greater insight and wisdom as they discern what matters most in their relational ministry and mission.

Righteousness is a common theme for Paul, including God’s justice and salvific work in Christ.

Paul’s understanding is that Christ’s return is imminent. The spiritual condition of the community is of prime importance in its preparation for this day of Christ’s return. An understanding of righteousness and Christ’s return has evolved over the centuries. It may be understood better as a spiritual condition of right relationships with God, others, and the natural world.

God’s salvific work in Christ finds new life and expression as disciples and communities engage in personal, relational, societal, and environmental salvation.

Theologian and mystic Thomas Merton wrote, “The mystery of Advent is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” Such is the Advent preparation that mirrors Paul’s wish for the Philippian church. It is an invitation to fully embody Christ Jesus, the peaceful One, and his mission. It is not for earning God’s grace at some future time, but for bringing forth God’s purposes.

The unity Paul wishes for the Philippian community finds new expression in Doctrine and Covenants 165:3e: Oneness and equality in Christ do not mean uniformity. They mean Unity in Diversity and relating in Christ-like love to the circumstances of others as if they were one’s own. They also

mean full opportunity for people to experience human worth and related rights, including expressing God-given giftedness in the church and society.

The heart of our Advent preparation is active love embodied in inclusive, Christ-centered communities pursuing justice and peace on and for Earth.

Central Ideas 1. Paul’s joy and gratitude for sharing the gospel with the Philippian church are more than common belief or practice; they are of mutual love, support, and oneness in a Christ-centered community.

2. Paul’s hope and prayer is that the love of God and one another will lead to greater insight and wisdom in discerning what matters most in their relational ministry and mission.

3. The heart of our Advent preparation is active love embodied in inclusive, Christ-centered communities pursuing justice and peace on and for Earth.

Questions for the Speaker 1. What would you include in the introduction of a letter to the community with whom you are sharing?

2. How does Paul’s counsel speak to the circumstances of your faith community?

3. What is the Holy Spirit’s invitation to disciples and their communities this Advent season?

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY Year C, Letters

Second Sunday of Advent—Love

Philippians 1:3–11 Gathering Welcome Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation for Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.

The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and is observed each Sunday until Christmas Day. An Advent wreath with four candles and one Christ candle in the center often is used to observe the weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each week until all are burning brightly on Christmas Day.

Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Great Shepherd, you faithfully lead and guide us each day, yet we still feel like voices crying in the wilderness. You have blessed us with an abundance of love, yet we struggle to feel that abundance. God, as we look about the world today, we recognize many who do not feel your love. Who do not feel the love of their friends and families to support them. Who struggle with loss and division and join our voices calling for a sign of your love.

God, grant us peace. Grant us peace that settles our weary hearts, so we can love again. Grant us peace that allows us to love unconditionally, so others may recognize your light in our lives.

By sharing the light of your love in our lives we believe that we can become peacemakers for those around us. Bless us with your love during this season of Advent. Amen.

Spiritual Practice Journaling—Pregnant Writing Materials: • Advent wreath or ring for four candles and one white candle in the center • paper and pens or pencils Light the second candle of Advent and say: Today we light the second candle of Advent. This candle represents love. May the lighting of this candle remind us to share our light and love with the world.

Read the following to the group: Throughout this Advent season we have been contemplating how pregnancy and labor are metaphors for forming and birthing new life on our spiritual journey. This new life brings love without boundaries. A love that reaches beyond those who look, act, or think like us and calls us to open our

arms wide to all. This is the love of Christ entering the world. A love that is unrestricted, unbounded, and unrelenting. This is Advent: new birth and the coming of God’s mercy and love.

Pass out papers and pens and ask the following questions: 1. How do you see Christ being born in the world today, and how are you part of that birth?

2. How can you be more intentional in your love for others?

Give the group five minutes to journal and then invite members to share their thoughts and feelings.

Sharing Around the Table Philippians 1:3–11 NRSVue I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, for all of you are my partners in God’s grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the tender affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what really matters, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. The warmth of friendship in sacred community is obvious throughout Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. The verses in this introduction express gratitude and affection for the community. It is the longest introduction of Paul’s letters, which suggests a particular fondness for the Philippian church. He discusses his supportive relationship with the community and his wish for unity and right relations among them.

The letter closes with a pastoral prayer of intercession for the spiritual well-being of this beloved community in preparation for Christ’s return. The inbreaking of God’s love through Jesus’s birth is a memory that points to a hope-filled future. Thus, Paul’s admonition to prepare speaks to disciples preparing for what God is birthing in this season of Advent.

Paul’s imprisonment deepens his gratitude for and longing to be with his cherished companions in gospel witness. Paul expresses joy and gratitude for their sharing in the gospel. Doing such is of mutual love, support, and oneness in a Christ-centered community. Paul’s wish is for the community to address whatever threatens its unity and to grow in love and wisdom toward greater oneness.

As God began the good work of grace among them, Paul encouraged them to continue this good work by loving one another and growing in knowledge. His wish is for them to experience with one another the love and support they have shown him. His wish is also for them to grow in right relationships with God and one another.

Paul’s understanding is that Christ’s return is imminent. The spiritual condition of the community is of prime importance in its preparation for Christ’s return. An understanding of righteousness and Christ’s return has evolved over the centuries. It may be better understood as a spiritual condition of right relationships with God, others, and the natural world.

The unity Paul wishes for the Philippian community finds new expression in Doctrine and Covenants 165:3e: Oneness and equality in Christ do not mean uniformity. They mean Unity in Diversity and relating in Christ-like love to the circumstances of others as if they were one’s own. They also

mean full opportunity to experience human worth and related rights, including expressing Godgiven giftedness in the church and society.

The heart of our Advent preparation is active love embodied in inclusive, Christ-centered communities pursuing justice and peace on and for Earth.

Questions 1. What would you include in the introduction of a letter to a similar person, family, or group?

2. How do you understand Unity in Diversity?

3. What is the Holy Spirit’s invitation to believers and friends this Advent season?

Sending Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

The offering prayer for Advent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.

God who is faithful, be present with us as we plan our spending. May we use our resources in ways that build healthy, happy relationships with you, with others, and with Earth. May we remember the teachings of Jesus that challenge us to make lifestyle choices that are counter to our culture of accumulation and excess. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn Community of Christ Sings 403, “like a child” Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group • •

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children This activity will continue throughout Advent.

You will need: • Evergreen branches in a spiral shape with items of peace scattered throughout (created last week) • A collection of items that might represent love in some way. You can collect these before the gathering or find them outside.* For Advent this year, you will need a place where your Advent spiral can stay each week. You can leave it where it is after every gathering or store it somewhere safe and rebuild it before your gathering each week.

Say: Today is the second Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting, but it is also a journey toward Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year, as we journey through Advent, we will create an Advent spiral. Each week we will add something to our spiral, so it will grow as we get closer to Christmas.

Last week we created our spiral and thought about the joy found in nature and the coming birth of Jesus.

This week, we are going to add to our spiral. (Say either…)

• I have brought some items that remind me of love in different ways.

• We are going to go outside and look for things in nature that help us feel love.* Choose one thing that makes you feel love, so we can add it to our spiral. At Christmas we experience the love of Jesus, which is unconditional and without end. Jesus came to remind us that love is for everyone and doesn’t need to be earned.

Help participants pick an item that reminds them of love and then find a spot within the spiral to lay it on an evergreen. Thank them for their help and invite them back the following week to see what we will add to our spiral. *If you choose this option, help participants respect plant and animal life by finding things that are already on the ground or near falling off.

WORSHIP RESOURCES 15 December 2024 Third Sunday of Advent (Hope)

Philippians 4:4 -7 The Lord Is Near Additional Scriptures Isaiah 12:2-6; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 3:7-18 Preparation During Advent, create a tabletop wreath for a center of worship. Candles are placed in a wreath with greenery around them. The circle of greenery reminds us that God is without beginning or end. Four purple or dark blue candles, one for each week in Advent, are set in the circle. A rose-colored candle may be used for the week of Advent that represents joy. A white Christ candle for Christmas Day is placed in the center. Each Sunday the previous week’s candle(s) is relit before the service, and one additional candle is lit. Light the fifth candle, the Christ candle, during a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service to signify the birth of Jesus. For a hybrid service, encourage those watching from home to create their own Advent worship center.

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “hope.”

Decorate with the liturgical color of the season, deep blue.

Prior to the Advent season, invite participants to suggest their favorite Christmas carols to be sung during the gathering time of each Advent worship service.

During the Welcome each participant will need paper and something to write with.

Plan to read Winter’s Gift, written and illustrated by Jane Monroe Donovan. Copyright 2004 Thomson Gale, ISBN 1-58536-231-X. You will need a nativity scene for the Focus Moment.

Praise Prelude Gathering with carols of the season Choose one or two.

“Star-Child” CCS 420 “All Earth Is Hopeful/Toda la tierra” CCS 392/393 Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

“The First Noel” CCS 424 OR Sing carols that have been previously suggested by participants.

Welcome Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope. Let us begin with a spiritual practice, “Holding in the Light.” Spend a few moments in silence to become quiet inside and out.

Write down the name of a person or a circumstance in need of hope. You are now invited to enter a time of silent prayer in which these specific people and needs are placed in God’s loving, healing care. In your prayer, imagine the person(s) prayed for being surrounded by God’s light.

We trust God to know the needs of each person or circumstance and we compassionately hold them in the restorative, healing light of God. Take time to silently pray.

If you would like to share the name of the person(s) you have held in the light, please say their name out loud at this time.

Verbally offer a brief prayer of thanks to close your prayer experience.

Call to Worship: Luke 3:15-17 Hymn “On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry” OR “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”

Stanzas 1 and 2

CCS 391 CCS 405

Lighting of Advent candles Advent is the season in the Christian calendar that celebrates the four Sundays before Christmas. In Latin, Advent means “coming,” and it is a time to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas, the coming of Jesus into our world.

Today, we light the candle of hope.

Light the candle.

Hope is a light to show the way. Hope is constantly calling us forward to create a better tomorrow.

Hymn Response “Hope is a Light” Stanza 1 CCS 398 Learn the American Sign Language sign for “hope” and teach this to the children so they may accompany the participants during this hymn, with the sign for “hope” when this word is sung.

Use your dominant hand to touch your head with your forefinger and then move your hands in front of you, fingers pointed toward one another and flap twice.

Confession Prayer for Peace Light the peace candle.

Peace Prayer Sower of Seeds, You promise to feed your flock like a shepherd, to gather your lambs, to gently lead. In this time of Advent darkness, we sit in hope for the things to come. We gather in community to hear of your promises of peace and redemption. We hope that in the grand design of this time of rest for the Earth that you will bring us to peace.

God, open our eyes to the hope that you have for the world to be at peace. Help us to gather in those who feel no hope in this time, that they may find new life in you. Bring us all to a place of hope again. From that new sense of hope, allow us to go out and proclaim peace, to be at peace in our neighborhoods, to act for peace in the world at large. God, we hope for a time of peace again, we hope for the promises of your peace made real through Jesus again, we hope for a deeper connection with you again. Grant us the peace to hope again. Amen.

—Tiffany and Caleb Brian Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-7 Reading or Poem Read Winter’s Gift, written and illustrated by Jane Monroe Donovan.

ISBN 1-58536-231-X. OR “Making Room for Jesus” Verse 3 A weary hand hammers on the door of an inn and there is no room!

No room, God of Hope, for hope to be born.

Oh, how we need your gift of hope!

Hope that finds the holy in a blade of grass, a bird’s song, an infant’s cry.

Hope that makes the future now, that looks beyond what is and yearns for what can be.

Surely there is room for hope?

Hope sprinkling its promise on the dark night of the soul?

Hope for harmony! Hope for one more try!

Hope that justice will have its day.

—Danny Belrose in Wave Offerings, Herald House 2005.

Used with permission.

Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn of Hope “Wait for the Lord” Sing several times.

OR “We Wait in Hope for the Lord”

CCS 399 CCS 267

Proclamation of the Word Message Based on Philippians 4:4-7

Commitment Focus Moment Advent Testimonies Assemble a Nativity scene where all can see it. In advance, ask three people to share short stories about Advent Hope in their lives while the scene is set.

Conclude with: What else does Advent mean for us today? It is a season of hope…we are waiting for something, expecting something…we affirm that the Lord is near.

Sung Response

Repeat one stanza of the song sung before the Message.

Disciples’ Generous Response Statement Generosity is the spirit of the Christian life. To share what we have with others is not a burden or a dreary task. Instead, giving shows we have caught a breathtaking glimpse of God’s eternal nature, and our hearts have reoriented by Christ’s self-offering for the whole creation.

In Community of Christ, we love to sing, ‘Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give.’ The song, “God Forgave My Sin in Jesus Name,” CCS 627, expresses what we call the ‘cycle of giving and receiving.’ Lavish love, love without bounds, has claimed us; how could we not respond with glad and generous hearts?

Giving money, time, and personal gifts is a spiritual practice as vital and important as prayer or participating in the sacraments. As with all spiritual practices, the discipline of giving does not earn grace; it is grace—God’s loving, transforming power in action in and through the choices of our lives. Generosity, especially in the form of the spiritual practice of tithing, is an expression of love. Tithing is not about following a formula.

Rather, it is about giving to our truest capacity, which is ultimately an expression of love.

And in the New Testament, love counteracts fear: our fear of loss, of not having enough, of being less, of not having control.

Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid because ‘it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom’ (Luke 12:32).

God ceaselessly gives us all God has. Therefore, we confidently can pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” and we confidently can act so others have daily bread, too.

—Anthony Chvala-Smith, A Way of Life: Understanding Our Christian Faith, Herald House During Advent, we are reminded of God’s abundant generosity in the gift of his son. As we reflect on this freely given gift, may we be reminded that God calls us to bless the world with our own gifts. As we generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion bringing hope to the world.

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes Closing Hymn “Hope of the World” Stanzas 1 and 2 CCS 29 OR “May the God of Hope/Dios de la esperanza” CCS 652 Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

OR “When the Present Holds No Promise” CCS 430

Benediction Sending Forth: Isaiah 12:2-6 Postlude

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS Year C—Letters Third Sunday of Advent

Philippians 4:4–7 Exploring the Scripture On the third Sunday of Advent, we sing upbeat hymns with images of the coming triumph in the incarnation of God’s love among us. Advent reminds us to recognize this miracle of divine love freely shared with us. For many people, however, the holiday season is a time of sadness and struggle. For people dealing with frustration, loss, or illness, joy and happiness often seem distant. The advice from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice,” may appear hollow or unrealistic. Yet, the precarious nature of life is what Paul addresses in this passage.

Life was difficult for Paul and the Philippians. Paul was imprisoned while he wrote his letter. His future was uncertain, and he was dependent on the charity of others, like the people in Philippi, to meet his basic living needs. Besides, the letter references the persecution the Philippians felt as they sought to live their faith in Christ despite religious and social conflict with the Roman government. Also, key leaders of their group, Euodia and Syntyche, were in conflict, affecting the health of the entire faith community.

Paul’s deep affection for the people of Philippi is obvious. His encouraging words reminded them of the importance of imitating the nature and way of Christ to deal with their difficulties.

In this passage, Paul reminds the Philippians they are not alone. His focus is not on rejoicing as an emotion, but more as a description of being fully awake and aware of how God invites them to live.

Christ journeys with them in difficult and easy times, and God’s faithfulness is steadfast and sure.

Paul is not telling people in distress to just be happy and not worry. Instead, it reminds them the supreme purpose, value, and filling of deep yearning in life is found by trusting in God and the peace of Christ. He assures them their humble response of gentleness toward others and trust in the mystery of God revealed in Christ Jesus create well-being that brings patience, endurance, peace, and joy.

Our Advent celebration does not proclaim all is right with our world. Instead, it is anchored in the assurance that fears, anxieties, and harsh realities do not undermine the reality of God’s love journeying with us. We grow in this awareness as we practice gentleness, kindness, patience, selfcontrol, forgiveness, and healing. This growing awareness moves us to live more as Christ Jesus and rejoice in the Lord.

Central Ideas 1.

2.

3.

4.

Rejoicing is less of an emotion and more of a constant attitude, shaping Christlike behavior.

The steadfast faithfulness of God leads us to trust and have hope.

Disciples are called to respond to the harsh realities of life with compassion and healing.

Joy is experienced best in a relationship with God in a faith community.

Questions for the Speaker 1.

2.

3.

4.

How do we best speak of joy with people in distress?

What is the difference between joy and happiness?

What leads us to trust God is near us?

How do we balance working for justice and living in gentleness?

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Year C, Letters

Third Sunday of Advent—Hope

Philippians 4:4–7 Gathering Welcome Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation for Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.

The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and is observed each Sunday until Christmas Day. An Advent wreath with four candles and one Christ candle in the center often is used to observe the weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each week until all are burning brightly on Christmas Day.

Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Igniter of the first flame, who gives oxygen to fire, who gives fig trees fruit, who gives expectant people hope, grant peace to those who wait in despair. As we celebrate joy, we know many struggle to feel your joy and peace. They struggle to find their voice in the world because they have lost the joy of singing and shouting excitedly! But you are faithful, God. You will restore joy to those who have lost it. You will bring peace to the nations and return joy to lives in despair.

Excite us anew, oh God, that we might share our hope with others and work for the kind of peace that delights you. As the potter forms clay, form us into a peaceful community that embraces and exudes peace. Pump us full of oxygen again, so the peace flame may spark, grow, and spread to all this season. Amen.

Spiritual Practice Journaling—Pregnant Waiting Materials: • Advent wreath or ring for four candles and one white candle in the center • paper and pens or pencils Light the third candle of Advent and say: Today we light the third candle of Advent. This candle symbolizes hope. May we share the joy in our lives with others.

Read the following to the group: Just as birth is painful and joyous at the same time, life is a paradox full of joy and pain that live side by side. Hope is cultivated from within each of us as is our pain. Hope can come from journeying

with God in ways that bring healing from pain. As we companion with God, we experience anew the love and acceptance that always have been with us.

The Christ child represents hope in our lives and in the world. Christ teaches us that we are all children of God, and that all are loved.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.”

—Luke 2:10 NRSVue Pass out papers and pens and say the following: 1. When do you feel in touch with the hope inside of you?

2. Share a story of when you have felt that hope in your life.

Give the group five minutes to journal and then invite members to share their thoughts and feelings.

Sharing Around the Table Philippians 4:4–7 NRSVue Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

On the third Sunday of Advent, we sing upbeat hymns with images of the coming triumph in the incarnation of God’s love among us. Advent reminds us to recognize this miracle of divine love freely shared with us.

For many people, however, the holiday season is a time of sadness and struggle. For people dealing with frustration, loss, or illness, joy and happiness often seem distant. The advice from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4.4 NRSVue: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice,” may appear hollow or unrealistic. Yet, the precarious nature of life is what Paul addresses in this passage.

Life was difficult for Paul and the Philippians. Paul was imprisoned while writing his letter. His future was uncertain, and he was dependent on the charity of others, like the people in Philippi, to meet his basic living needs. Besides, the letter references the persecution the Philippians felt as they sought to live their faith in Christ despite religious and social conflict with the Roman government.

Also, key leaders of their group, Euodia and Syntyche, were in conflict, affecting the health of the entire faith community. Paul’s deep affection for the people of Philippi is obvious. His encouraging words reminded them of the importance of imitating the nature and way of Christ to deal with their difficulties.

Paul reminds the Philippians they are not alone. His focus is not on rejoicing as an emotion, but more as a description of being fully awake and aware of how God invites them to live. Christ journeys with them in difficult and easy times, and God’s faithfulness is steadfast and sure. Paul is not telling people in distress to just be happy and not worry. Instead, his letter reminds them the supreme purpose in life is found by placing trust in God and the peace of Christ. He assures them their humble response of gentleness toward others and trust in the mystery of God revealed in Christ Jesus create well-being that brings enduring peace and joy.

Our Advent celebrations are anchored in the assurance that fears, anxieties, and harsh realities of life do not undermine the reality of God’s presence with us. We grow in this awareness as we practice gentleness, kindness, patience, self-control, forgiveness, and healing.

Questions 1. What is the difference between joy and happiness?

2. When have you trusted God was present with you in your struggles?

3. How do we balance working for justice and living in gentleness?

Sending Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

The offering prayer for Advent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.

God who is faithful, be present with us as we plan our spending. May we use our resources in ways that build healthy, happy relationships with you, with others, and with Earth. May we remember the teachings of Jesus that challenge us to make lifestyle choices that are counter to our culture of accumulation and excess. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn Community of Christ Sings 401, “View the Present through the Promise” Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group • •

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children This activity continues throughout Advent.

• •

You will need: evergreen branches in a spiral shape (created earlier) a collection of items that might represent joy in some way. You can collect these before the gathering or find them outside.*

For Advent this year, you will need a place where your Advent spiral can stay each week. You can leave it where it is after every gathering or store it somewhere safe and rebuild it before your gathering each week.

Say: Today is the third Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting, but it also is a journey toward Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year, as we journey through Advent, we will create an Advent spiral. Each week we will add something to our spiral, so it will grow as we get closer to Christmas.

Last week we built our spiral with evergreen branches, reminding us that love always can be found.

This week, we are going to add to our spiral. (Say either…)

1. I have brought some items that remind me of hope in different ways.

2. We are going to go outside and look for things in nature that help us feel hopeful.

Choose one thing that makes you feel hope, so we can add it to our spiral. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Jesus, who can bring hope to our lives. We remember that we are called to be peacemakers, even when it is really hard.

Help participants pick an item that reminds them of hope. Find a spot within the spiral to lay it on an evergreen. Thank them for their help and invite them back the following week to see what we will add to our spiral. *If you choose this option, help participants respect plant and animal life by finding things that are already on the ground or near falling off.

WORSHIP RESOURCES 22 December 2024 Fourth Sunday of Advent (Peace)

Luke 1:39-55 A Vision of Justice Additional Scriptures Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80:1-7; Hebrews 10:5-10; Doctrine and Covenants 161:2a-b Preparation During Advent, create a tabletop wreath to be used as a center of worship. Candles are placed in a wreath with greenery around them. The circle of greenery reminds us that God is eternal, without beginning or end. Four purple or dark blue candles, one for each week in Advent, are set in the circle. A rose candle may be used for the week in Advent that represents joy. A white Christ candle for Christmas Day is placed in the center. Each Sunday the previous week’s candle(s) is relit before the service and one additional candle is lit. Light the fifth candle, the Christ candle, during a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service to signify the birth of Jesus. For a hybrid service, encourage those watching from home to create their own Advent worship center.

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “peace.”

Decorate with the liturgical color of the season, deep blue.

Prior to Advent, invite participants to suggest their favorite Christmas carols to be sung during the gathering time of each Advent worship service.

Prepare for Visio Divina with an image of Mary and Elizabeth to be shown. Be sure to secure permission to project/stream the image.

Prepare for the ministry of music of the Magnificat. Many options may be found on the Internet. Be sure to secure permission to use of songs and videos.

Praise Prelude Gathering with Carols of the Season and Sharing the Peace of the Season “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” “The First Noel” “Silvery Star, Precious Star” OR Sing carols that have been previously suggested by participants.

Choose 1 or 2.

CCS 436 CCS 424 CCS 419

Call to Worship: Micah 5:2-5a Welcome Peace be with you. Offer to those gathered around you the blessing of Christmas peace.

Lighting of the Advent Candles Advent is the season in the Christian calendar that celebrates the four Sundays before Christmas.

In Latin, Advent means “coming” and it is a time to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas, the coming of Jesus into our world.

Today, we light the candle of peace. Light the candle.

We are reminded of God’s call to us to be peacemakers. Peace is a prayer that begins with me.

Hymn Response “Hope Is a Light” Stanzas 2 and 5 CCS 398 Learn the American Sign Language signs for “peace” and “Jesus” and teach these to the children so they may accompany the participants during this hymn, with the sign for “peace” and “Jesus” when these words are sung.

“Peace” involves the palms of the hands touching, then rotating in opposite directions as if they were getting all twisted up, and then pulling the “twisted” palms apart and smoothing everything out as the hands—palms down—move away from one another.

To do the sign for “Jesus,” Touch the tip of the middle finger of your dominant hand into the center of the palm of your nondominant hand. Then touch the tip of the middle finger of your nondominant hand into the palm of your dominant hand. Memory aide: Think of the nails that held him while on the cross.

Confession Scripture Reading Part 1: Luke 1:39-45 Spiritual Practice: Visio Divina Project or display an image of Mary and Elizabeth. Be sure to have appropriate permission.

Visio Divina invites us into “divine seeing.” Prayerful consideration and interaction with an image allow us to experience the divine in a unique and powerful way.

In this time of Visio Divina, you are invited to open your heart to this image of Mary and Elizabeth. What about this artist’s representation that draws your attention? Consider Elizabeth’s gratitude and emotions. Consider Mary’s vulnerability and her capacity to be open to God and the Spirit. We will spend some time in silence as you view and pray with this image.

Scripture Reading Part 2: Luke 1:46-55 Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn on The Magnificat “Canticle of the Turning”

CCS 404

Proclamation of the Word Christmas Message Based on Luke 1:39-55 Hymn “Blessed Be the God of Israel” OR “Come, Join in Mary’s Prophet Song”

Commitment Disciples’ Generous Response Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 161:2a-b

CCS 396 CCS 308

Statement During the Advent season, we are reminded of God’s abundant generosity in the gift of his son. As we reflect on this freely given gift, may we be reminded that God calls us to bless the world with our own gifts. As we generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion bringing hope to the world.

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).

Blessing Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes Prayer for Peace Light the peace candle.

Poem “Making Room for Jesus” Verse 2 A weary hand pounds on the door of an inn, and there is not room!

No room, God of peace, for peace to be born.

Oh, how we need your gift of peace!

Peace unwilling to sleep in the shadows, unwilling to live and die in speeches made and slogans said.

Surely there is room for peace?

Peace beyond politics, power, and position.

Peace that wages war against conflict, avarice, and inequity in a world where peace for me and mine alone is not peace at all.

—Danny Belrose in Wave Offerings, Herald House 2005.

Used with permission.

Hymn of Advent Peace “Joseph, Kind Joseph” OR “What Child Is This”

CCS 414 CCS 432

Peace Prayer Keeper of the Great Shalom, You carry such a broad and expansive universe on your shoulders yet make yourself known to us in this season of Advent and expectation for the coming Christ. Help us strive for peace like water rushing toward the ocean. As water brings life, allow peace to generate new life in us. As water carves new lands and patterns into being, allow peace to create new spaces in our lives and communities. As water flows on to nourish many places unseen, allow peace to flow through us to create new bonds of life again. God, allow the birth of the Christ child to nourish us anew. Help us bring peace into the world each day.

Amen.

Focus Scripture for the Coming Week: Luke 2:1-20 Hymn of Celebration “Hark, The Herald Angels Sing” OR “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” Benediction Postlude

CCS 423 CCS 409

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS Year C—Letters Fourth Sunday of Advent

Luke 1:39-55 Exploring the Scripture After the angel Gabriel tells Mary she has been selected by God to be the mother of Jesus, Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth. This passage describes the patience and faith present in that community long ago and is read in today’s church communities during Advent as part of the waiting and preparation for Christmas.

Mary’s reason for visiting Elizabeth is not entirely clear, but Elizabeth becomes the first to hear the news. We can infer that Mary sensed the need to reach out to her community as she responded faithfully to God’s call. This intimate exchange between two faithful women demonstrates how people in community can provide one another affirmation, support, and encouragement when they choose to be vulnerable to divine grace.

Mary may have gone to seek counsel and support from Elizabeth because of her misgivings.

Gabriel’s news was stunning. When we sense God calling us to action, we naturally seek counsel with a trusted confidant. Such affirmation from trusted disciples helps us consider our understanding and response.

Another reason Mary may have gone to visit Elizabeth might have been Mary’s wish to share her growing awareness of how the two cousins were connected in God’s unfolding vision. As Mary began to understand the role of Jesus, she may have also had insight into the role of Elizabeth’s baby, John. For us, as we read this passage knowing the whole story, it is easy to see the connection between the two women and their sons: one son, the messenger; and one son, the message.

Elizabeth’s description of her baby jumping for joy in the womb when he heard Mary’s voice provides us a preview. This passage hints how Elizabeth’s baby, John, will serve as a person who will herald Jesus’ arrival and prepare the way for his message. The baby’s response to Mary led Elizabeth to a greater understanding of Mary’s calling and who her baby was. Elizabeth was led by the Holy Spirit to bless Mary and the baby she carried.

In response to the blessing received, Mary responded with a song of faith we now call “Mary’s Song” or the “Magnificat.” It is a song shared in humility. It is a statement of Mary’s faith in God’s goodness, faithfulness, and mercy. In Mary’s song, we find words that express our understanding of God’s nature. Mary also articulates a powerful vision of justice and peace as part of God’s message to her.

From Mary and Elizabeth we learn that among the blessings of community is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is expressed best in community life where people become vulnerable to God’s grace and one another. As we ponder the journeys of these two pregnant women, we are reminded that we need to be patient as we wait for God’s purposes to come forth through our faithful acts. We are also reminded—as we wait and listen with one another—that we are prepared for new opportunities for mission, which are being birthed into the world.

Central Ideas 1.

2.

3.

4.

Mary’s news was surprising. She sought her cousin’s embracing love to help her come to terms with what God had called her to do. Sharing with others brings affirmation and clarity about God’s vision of shalom.

One of the blessings of community is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is expressed best in community life where people become vulnerable to God’s grace and one another.

In Mary’s song, we find words that express our understanding of God’s nature and a powerful vision for justice and peace on Earth.

The story of Mary and Elizabeth reminds us faithful discipleship often requires patience and waiting.

Questions for the Speaker 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

How do you seek affirmation of the Holy Spirit?

How do we develop such a communitywhere we can both give and receive support for mission?

What is God trying to “birth” through the giftedness of you and your congregation?

In what ways does your congregation embody the message of justice and peace on Earth found in Mary’s song?

What can you do to prepare as you patiently wait?

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY Year C, Letters

Fourth Sunday of Advent—Peace

Hebrews 10:5–10 Gathering Welcome Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation for Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.

The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and is observed each Sunday until Christmas Day. An Advent wreath with four candles and one Christ candle in the center often is used to observe the weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each week until all are burning brightly on Christmas Day.

Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Keeper of the great shalom, you carry such a broad and expansive universe on your shoulders, yet you make yourself known to us in this season of Advent and expectation for the coming Christ. Help us strive for peace like water rushing toward the ocean. As water brings life, allow peace to generate new life in us. As water carves new lands and patterns into being, allow peace to create new spaces in our lives and communities. As water flows to nourish many places unseen, allow peace to flow through us to create new bonds of life again. God, allow the birth of the Christ child to nourish us anew. Help us bring peace into the world, each and every day. Amen.

Spiritual Practice Journaling—Pregnant Waiting Light the fourth candle of Advent and say: Today we light the fourth candle of Advent. This candle symbolizes the peace Christ brings to the world. May we seek peace and patience in our lives.

Read the following aloud: Advent teaches us metaphorical lessons through the image of pregnancy. Although waiting for the birth of a child is difficult, if we rush quickly to the end, it will diminish the quality of life for that baby. A baby needs each day between conception and birth to grow. This is true for us in our spiritual lives, as well. We learn to live with discomfort and the unknown. We learn to settle into the waiting time. Advent reminds us to go inward and be patient with the discomfort.

Pass out papers and pens and ask the following: 1. What are you being invited to wait for?

2. How does Advent remind you of the importance of patience in the spiritual journey?

Give the group five minutes to journal and then invite members to share their thoughts and feelings.

Sharing Around the Table Hebrews 10:5–10 NRSVue Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.

Then I said, ‘See, I have come to do your will, O God’ (in the scroll of the book it is written of me).”

When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “See, I have come to do your will.” He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews is a sermon shared in written form. Its author is unknown, likely a Jewish Christian, but not the Apostle Paul. Hebrews’ first readers were likely Jews who had accepted Christianity. As they faced severe persecution in the first-century Roman Empire, they were tempted to abandon their Christian faith and return to the safety of Judaism. Hebrews is a treatise on why Christianity is the better choice.

This passage comes from the tension between the waning temple system with its priests and animal sacrifices and the growing synagogue network with its rabbis serving a people who did not have regular access to the Jerusalem Temple. The author writes that God does not want or take pleasure in blood sacrifices, and that Jesus’s self-offering of his own body abolished the old system. The author points out the futility of animal sacrifices, which must be repeated every year because of their lack of effectiveness. Animal sacrifices must be repeated over and again because they cannot take away sin.

God wants from people a desire to do God’s will and make our lives a living sacrifice that is pleasing to God, doing as Jesus did.

As we read this text in Advent, Christ’s birth has deeper meaning, because we know what his life, death, and resurrection will do. From a system where some were judged unworthy, Christ makes way for all to be seen, accepted, reconciled, forgiven, and loved by God.

Questions 1. What does “sacrifice” mean to you? How have you sacrificed in your life? Why, or for what purpose, have you sacrificed?

2. How does knowing about Christ’s life, death, and resurrection change how we live into Advent?

3. Maya Angelou, a well-known American poet and writer, once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” How can this idea be applied to our religious or spiritual lives and practices?

Sending Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

The offering prayer for Advent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.

God who is faithful, be present with us as we plan our spending. May we use our resources in ways that build healthy, happy relationships with you, with others, and with Earth. May we remember the teachings of Jesus that challenge us to make lifestyle choices that are counter to our culture of accumulation and excess. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn Community of Christ Sings 402, “Peace Child” Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group • •

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children This activity will continue throughout Advent: You will need: • evergreen branches in a spiral shape with items of peace scattered throughout (created last week) • a collection of items that might represent peace in some way. You can collect these before the gathering or find them outside.* For Advent this year, you will need a place where your Advent spiral can stay each week. You can leave it where it is after every gathering or store it somewhere safe and rebuild it before your gathering each week.

Say: Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting, but it also is a journey toward Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year, as we journey through Advent, we will create an Advent spiral. Each week we will add something to our spiral so it will grow as we get closer to Christmas.

Last week we placed items within our spiral that reminded us of hope.

This week, we are going to add to our spiral. (Say either…)

1. I have brought some items that remind me of peace in different ways.

2. We are going to go outside and look for things in nature that help us feel peaceful.

Choose one thing that makes you feel peace so we can add it to our spiral. At Christmas we experience the peace of the coming Prince of Peace. Jesus changed the way things always had been. He challenged unjust systems that left people feeling sad and called for a new way of living that let everyone experience peace.

Help participants pick an item that reminds them of peace and find a spot within the spiral to lay it on an evergreen. Thank them for their help and invite them back the following week to see what we will add to our spiral. *If you choose this option, help participants respect plant and animal life by finding things that already are on the ground or near falling off.

WORSHIP RESOURCES 25 December 2024 Christmas Day

Luke 2:1-20 (A,B,C) Good News of Great Joy Additional Scriptures Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm, 96; Titus 2:11-14 Preparation During the preceding week, invite people to bring a special financial or food pantry Christmas offering.

If using a selection for Handel’s Messiah later in the service, invite someone to manage the audio or video recording.

If you use an Advent wreath, light the four candles on the perimeter before the service begins, saving the center Christ candle for later in the service.

Prior to the service, set up a craft area with cards (3x5) and things to decorate them. Prepare a few examples of the Disciples’ Generous Response cards with the words “Jesus was born for you” written on them and decorated as desired. Have a basket or decorative container for placing the completed cards. Ask participants to complete a card before they are seated. They will be used later in the service.

Instrumental Prelude Continue with the prelude until people have taken their seats after completing a card.

Welcome Call to Worship: Isaiah 9:2, 6 Sing and Rejoice “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” “Joy to the World!”

“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

Choose two.

CCS 394 CCS 408 CCS 431

Invocation Response Luke Tells the Sacred Story Scripture Reader 1: Luke 2:1-7 Hymn “Away in a Manger” OR “Joseph, Kind Joseph” OR “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”

CCS 425 CCS 414 CCS 416

Scripture Reader 2: Luke 2:8-14 Hymn “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” CCS 423 OR “The First Noel” Stanzas 1 and 2 CCS 424 OR “Angels We Have Heard on High” CCS 427 OR Listen to a choral recording of “Glory to God,” from Handel’s Messiah.

Scripture Reader 3: Luke 2:15-20 Hymn “O Come All Ye Faithful” OR “Once in Royal David’s City” OR “Good Christians Friends, Rejoice”

CCS 431 CCS 429 CCS 433

Light the Christ candle in the center of the Advent wreath.

Homily Based on Luke 2:1-20 Discussion In small groups, pairs, or with everyone. Be sure children and youth are included. Project or print questions for all to see.

• What might you have felt if you had been a shepherd that night?

• What transformed them from fearful to joyful?

• What kind of news have you received that brought you great joy?

• What will be your response to the good news of Jesus’s birth that we remember and celebrate today?

Prayer for Peace Light the peace candle.

Peace Prayer Gracious God, on this day of remembrance of the birth of your son Jesus, your miraculous gift for us, we remember that he was to be a prince of peace. He was born to help change the world from one filled with greed, hate, violence, and war, to one where all people are seen as your children who are loved. Help us on this special day to remember Jesus, the prince of peace, as we look ahead to the coming year and help us to be partners with you in sharing this good news of great joy. Amen.

Disciples’ Generous Response Statement On this Christmas Day, we are reminded of God’s abundant generosity in the gift of his son. As we reflect on this freely given gift, may we be reminded that God calls us to bless the world with our own gifts. As we generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion bringing hope to the world. Invite participants to take one of the cards prepared before the service from the basket. The basket could be passed through the participants or placed centrally for easy access.

Take your card home with you as a reminder of the good news of Christmas Day. Blessing of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes Generous God, we have again experienced a season of preparation for receiving the gift of the good news of Jesus’s birth. The gifts we have freely given this year of our talents, time, treasure, and testimonies have been in response to the invitation to be generous disciples of Jesus, the prince of peace. We ask you to accept our offerings in whatever way we have given them as we join in helping spread the good news that we celebrate today. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).

Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes Sing and Share the Good News “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” OR “No Obvious Angels” OR “Silent Night! Holy Night!”

Consider helping participants learn the German stanzas.

CCS 409 CCS 418 CCS 421

Benediction Sending Forth Share today’s good news of great joy with others on your journey. Jesus is born!

Postlude

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS Year C—Letters Christmas Day

Luke 2:1-20 (A,B,C) Exploring the Scripture On the face of it, this scripture details the unremarkable birth of yet another child into poverty, in an overcrowded village. The parents-to-be are directed by Roman decree to leave their hometown of Nazareth and travel to Bethlehem, the ancestral home of the father, to be officially counted and registered. We assume it was a difficult journey for Mary and Joseph, taking into account Mary’s pregnancy. But as oppressed people, there was little choice; they were required to comply with the decree.

At a deeper level, one objective of this text is for the readers to make the connection between Joseph’s ancestry in the house and lineage of David (centered in Bethlehem) and the prophesied advent of a Messiah (Micah 5:2). Another objective of the beginning of the story is to help us visualize and understand the oppressive political environment in which Mary and Joseph are living.

The humble setting of this story continues as shepherds in their fields are overwhelmed by the angel message. Shepherding was considered the lowliest of professions—a curious choice for those who are to witness the newborn Messiah. In addition to Mary and Joseph, the circumstances and social standing of the shepherds are indications of God’s upside-down kingdom—“the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16).

Within this account, shepherds witness the heavenly event and testify of the importance of what has happened. As witnesses go, shepherds would not have been at the top of the list of those who have credibility or importance. Though all the participants in the Luke text are considered poor and humble, this does not diminish their joy and praise for what God has done. Just like the heavenly host, the shepherds return home, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (v. 20)—a celebration of the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. God breaks in on the usual and expected with an incarnational message delivered by socially unacceptable participants.

The name Emmanuel signals “God with us.” While we know Christ came into the world as Savior for everyone, it appears that God chose to dwell within the humble, ostracized, and poor of that time and place. This foreshadows Jesus’ ministry, as he will also choose to walk with the poor, marginalized, and outcast. In the person of Jesus, God graces the world with a message of hope and favor not tied to birthrights, education, or worldly success. Jesus is “God’s Love Made Visible!” (Iola Brubeck, Community of Christ Sings 411) for all people.

Central Ideas 1.

2.

3.

Mary and Joseph were members of an oppressed people and culture. Shepherds were at the bottom of the social classes.

The birth of Jesus illustrates God choosing to “dwell with” those who are poor, outcast, and marginalized; Emmanuel means “God with us.”

Jesus came to bring hope for all people. He is God’s love made visible.

Questions for the Speaker 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Identify those who are oppressed and marginalized in today’s world. How does God in Christ speak hope to them?

How is this scripture an example of God’s upside-down kingdom?

In what ways does this story illustrate the hymn text: “How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!” (Phillips Brooks,“O Little Town of Bethlehem” Community of Christ Sings 434)?

Why do you think Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds make powerful participants in the story?

On this Christmas Day, what message can you share with those who are struggling, mourning, and despondent? What is the good news that will cause all to rejoice at the manger?

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY Year C, Letters

Christmas Day

Titus 2:11–14 Gathering Welcome On Christmas Day we light all four Advent candles and then light the Christ candle in the center of the Advent wreath. The candles symbolize the joy, love, hope, and peace of Christ. The Christmas season lasts twelve days, from Christmas Day to Epiphany on January 6.

Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Mother of peace, we rejoice on this Christmas Day, for Mary has brought new life, new joy, new love, and new hope into a lamenting world in the form of your Son, Jesus!

Jesus: a baby in need of nurture, holding, cradling, swaddling.

Jesus: a baby so tiny and soft, yet bursting with possibility and strength!

Jesus: the hope of the world!

May the seemingly impossible and yet absolutely ordinary creation of a new baby inspire us to strive for peace in our towns and stables.

Peace: a seedling in need of nurture.

Peace: a seedling so tiny, yet bursting with possibility!

Peace: the hope of the world!

May we lean on you the way a mother leans on a midwife. May we guide peace into being the way a midwife guides a mother. And may we rejoice in peace the way we rejoice in the birth of your Son Jesus, the Prince of Peace! Amen.

Spiritual Practice Hymn Meditation Materials: • Advent wreath or ring • four candles and one white candle in the center Light the center candle for Christmas and say: Today we light the Christmas candle. It represents the coming of Christ into the world. May the lighting of this candle remind us that no matter the darkness and despair in the world, brokenness will not have the last word. The joy, love, hope, and peace of Christ will prevail.

Read the following aloud: Hymns are a blending of poetry, devotion, and scripture. They capture us with imagery and phrases. When we sing hymns, they can stick to our memory and refresh our souls again and again.

Reflecting on hymns can bring insight into our life, ministry, and discipleship. It can be a fresh, new way to commune with God. Meditating on a hymn is to read through a hymn instead of singing it. As you read, focus on the words and their meaning.

We will read this hymn aloud, together one time. Then we will read it through once silently. At the end we will share what stood out to us as the message of the song for us today. What is God stirring within us? How will we respond?

Our hymn meditation text is Community of Christ Sings 411, “God’s Love Made Visible!”

Sharing Around the Table Titus 2:11–14 NRSVue For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

Most scholars consider this brief letter to Titus to be the work of a disciple firmly rooted in the Pauline tradition. The letter addresses many inappropriate behaviors in the Greco-Roman culture on the island of Crete. The letter counsels Titus to stand firm in the face of his argumentative flock. The writer challenges Titus to rebuke false teachers, restore relationships, find Unity in Diversity, and identify emerging leaders committed to living the way of Christ.

It also offers poignant insight, encouragement, and hope. We find the beating heart of the letter to Titus in today’s text, which proclaims, “…the grace of God has appeared.”

The letter to Titus announces that grace was born and embodied in Jesus Christ, our Savior, for whom we wait in hope. But in our waiting, the life-transforming power of embodying and living the concerns and passion of Christ frees us from enslavement to worldly concerns. That power brings healing and wholeness into our lives and hope for this world through human acts in harmony with God’s vision for all creation.

The letter to Titus is a letter to the whole world. The message says no matter how far from God we find ourselves, no matter how deep the break our behaviors have caused, nothing and no one falls outside the endless circle of God’s transforming grace. And we all are called to do good in this world for the sake of all who wait. This is our hope.

Questions 1. As you engage in the busy Christmas season, how can you stop and spend a moment in God’s grace?

2. What is your hope for God’s peaceable reign on Earth?

3. What do you see in your culture and context that might be a concern to Christ?

Sending Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

God of love and light, in this season of joy, love, and hope, may the peace of your Son Jesus be made real in the world. May our hearts, minds, hands, and resources be useful in the cause of bringing your light where there is darkness and your love where there is despair, anger, fear, and suffering. May our offerings be used toward your purposes we pray. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn Community of Christ Sings 418, “No Obvious Angels” Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group • •

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children This activity culminates those done throughout Advent.

Materials: • completed Advent spiral • tea lights for each person • large candle in the center Dim the lights where you are meeting.

As participants gather, place a large candle in the center of the spiral. Turn it on or light it.

Say: You probably just saw me place a large candle in the center of our spiral.

What do you think that candle represents? (Affirm all answers. If no one thinks the candle might represent Jesus, share that Jesus sometimes is called the light of the world, so the candle can represent him.)

Say: Today we will walk our Advent spiral. One at a time, you are invited to move toward the center of the spiral with your unlit candle (turned-off tea light). When you get to the center, light your candle, using the lit candle in the center of the spiral (or turn your candle on). Once your candle is glowing, move back toward the beginning of our spiral. As you do, decide where you’d like to leave your candle within our spiral.

Once everyone has returned from walking the spiral, take some time quietly enjoying the beautiful candles bringing light to the space.

Ask: What was it like to walk toward the light? (Affirm all answers.)

What was it like to reach the center of the spiral and light your candle? (Affirm all answers.)

What were you thinking as you walked back out? How did you decide where to place your candle? (Affirm all answers.)

Say: At Christmas time we remember the Light of the world, Jesus. Every day, we have the choice to walk with and toward Jesus, following the steps of the peaceful One. When we receive the light of Jesus, we are invited to bring it back into the world and share it with others. As you celebrate Christmas this year, think how you are invited to share the light of Jesus with others.

WORSHIP RESOURCES 29 December 2024 First Sunday after Christmas

Luke 2:41-52 Listen and Ask Questions Additional Scriptures 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Psalm 148; Colossians 3:12-17; Doctrine and Covenants 162:7c-d Preparations Invite two readers, any age, to be prepared to read Psalm 148, alternating verses between them. This will be used in the section labeled “Looking Back.”

If using printed worship bulletins, place a square self-stick note inside each one. Alternatively, hand them out during the service. Have pencils/pens on hand. Place a poster board or flip chart where people can access it.

Prepare five note cards or pieces of paper with the following statements, one per card or page. Do not include the words in italics. They are the answer key for the presider. Place them in a basket or bowl to be used during the Focus Moment.

We are poised to share the peace of Jesus... What is this Mission Initiative?

Invite People to Christ We are poised to become congregations... What is this Mission Initiative?

Experiencing Congregations in Mission We are poised to restore Christ’s covenant of peace...What is this Mission Initiative?

Pursue Peace on Earth We are poised to equip men, women, and children... What is this Mission Initiative?

Develop Disciples to Serve We are poised to be Christ’s hands and feet... What is this Mission Initiative?

Abolish Poverty, End Suffering Either have a copy of Sharing in Community of Christ, Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs, Fourth Edition, Herald House, 2018, or print the five Mission Initiatives from CofChrist.org to be used during the Focus Moment.

Have a chime, bell, or other sound source available.

Prelude Because this Sunday is still in the season of Christmas, arrange for Christmas carols to be played for prelude.

Welcome Invitation to Worship: Psalm 148:1-4

Hymn of Praise “Not in Grand Estate” OR “Fairest Lord Jesus” OR “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

CCS 444 CCS 33 CCS 27

Invocation Instrumental Response Prayer for Peace Light the peace candle.

Peace Scripture: Colossians 3:12-15 The first few verses of the letter to the Colossians give good insight into living a Christian life and, in doing so, finding and letting the peace of Christ dwell within us. If we do that, we will be better able to share it with others.

We Sing of Peace “Peace Among Earth’s Peoples” OR “My Peace” OR “O God of Love, Grant Us Your Peace”

CCS 448 CCS 149 CCS 316

Peace Prayer Creator God, you have formed us and formed the planet on which we live. When we honestly evaluate our response to your creative acts, we can see where we have often taken both for granted. We pray for your ongoing involvement in this world and in our lives so that we will more deeply sense our call to preserve and restore our Earth-home and become the peacemakers the world and its life forms need. Help us in this task, we pray. Amen.

Looking Back The writer of Psalm 148 was so full of awe and love for the Lord that the writer was impelled to pen words of praise that would come from all corners of the Earth and all creatures on, over, and under the Earth.

Activity: Psalm 148 Let’s put ourselves in the psalmist’s place and add to what is recorded in Psalm 148 by thinking about this year and adding additional phrases in the same style as the Psalm.

What would you add?

Project or print the words of the Psalm for all to see. Read the Psalm slowly and intentionally.

In the next two minutes, write on the sticky note provided in your bulletin the words and phrases to add to Psalm 148 and then place your sticky note on the poster board.

Plan to compile a new version of Psalm 148 for use in the worship service on January 5, 2025, using statements created today and editing them by combining similar statements.

Looking Inward The Prayer of Examen is a spiritual practice of looking into our own hearts and minds to retune ourselves to the sacred in ordinary life. This practice is most often used at the close of day. But for this experience we will explore this practice by looking inward at our own personal life this past year. This practice involves four steps: • Remembering God’s presence, • Experiencing gratitude, • Reflecting on the year, and • Preparing for next year considering what we sense God is showing us about being better at staying in tune with God. In preparation, let the words of a hymn open your mind and heart.

Hymn of Reflection “I Wonder as I Wander” OR “In the Quiet of This Day” OR “I Will Talk to My Heart”

CCS 435 CCS 161 CCS 168

The chime will be rung twice: once to begin a time of silent self-examination, and a second time to draw us back to the present moment. We will spend about two minutes in silence thinking about our own personal journey through this past year using the guidance found in the four steps: remembering God’s presence, experiencing gratitude, reflecting on the past year, and preparing for the next.

Looking Forward Focus Moment Invite five people to come forward to each take one of the prepared cards. Inform participants that they will be experiencing listening and being asked questions. Invite one of the five to read their card. Ask people to guess the answer.

Reinforce correct answers, or encourage additional guesses as needed. Refer to the key in the Preparation section. Then read the complete corresponding Mission Initiative statement before moving on to the next question. After five statements/questions have been read and answered, conclude by leading into the scripture from Luke that tells the story of a time when the boy Jesus listened and asked questions as he opened himself to discover the mission that awaited him.

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:41-52 Message Based on Luke 2:41-52 Disciples’ Generous Response Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 162:7c-d Statement This counsel was given in 2004 and is still relevant to our discipleship today. Think about what that means for you.

God’s generous compassion is limitless. As we open our hearts to courageously and generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion in the world. God shares abundantly, we share faithfully, others share generously, and God’s love and compassion grow endlessly.

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes Hymn of Affirmation “God’s Love Made Visible” OR “No Obvious Angels” OR “Hidden Christ, Alive Forever” OR “We Would See Jesus”

CCS 411 CCS 418 CCS 24 CCS 35

Closing Prayer Instrumental Response Sending Forth We have been reminded of 12-year-old Jesus’s journey toward mission and elements of what that mission is for us today. He had questions and listened for answers. As we prepare for the new year, let us each be open to answers to the questions we may have about what God is calling us to do individually and in our gathered communities. Let us be ready to not only remember the Mission Initiatives but also be willing to put them into practice. Go into the new year with Christlike energy and witness!

Postlude

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS Year C—Letters First Sunday after Christmas

Luke 2:41-52 Exploring the Scripture In this passage Jesus is a 12 year old. He is coming into an age of responsibility and accountability. As we read, we sense the tension that accompanies the learning curve on this journey.

It is the festival of the Passover—a time when Jewish people remember they were once slaves in Egypt and God brought them out of slavery (Deuteronomy 16:12 and Exodus 13:3) and that God spared the firstborn from the 10th plague. God commanded the “children of Israel” to keep Passover so they would never forget (Exodus 12:14).

Jesus travels with his family to Jerusalem for Passover. It is a journey they make every year so this is not a new adventure for Jesus. It is a common event. He knows his way around the town and the temple. His parents have little or no concern about him in the larger company of family and friends. As Passover ends, they join the caravan to head home. At the end of the first day of travel, they realize Jesus is not with them. They hurry back to Jerusalem and spend three days searching for him. They find him in the temple sitting with the teachers, learning and astounding those around him.

Jesus surprises his parents by not letting them know where he is. They are concerned. They spend three days looking for him! He, on the other hand, is surprised that they were concerned and didn’t know he would be in the temple. His comment to them is “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” It is the moment when Jesus begins speaking for himself; pointing himself in the direction his life will take.

This story of Jesus highlights the importance of preparing oneself and learning in a place where the sacred is spoken. Jesus went into the temple and sat with the teachers to learn and discuss. The scriptures tell us Jesus went to the temple to learn and teach not only when he was 12 but throughout his life. And because of this, “Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor” (Luke 2:52). As disciples of Jesus we are also called to lifelong learning and spiritual growth.

Central Ideas 1.

2.

3.

The festival of the Passover is a Jewish tradition that reminds the Jewish people of God’s faithfulness. It is a time of community, in a sacred place.

Jesus went to the temple to learn from the temple teachers in a sacred space.

When his parents find him and question his activity, Jesus speaks of his relationship with God as important and different from his relationship with his earthly parents.

Questions for the Speaker 1.

2.

In your congregation, what observed traditions of Community of Christ strengthen sacred community? In what ways?

Have there been times when you came to the temple (or your congregation or other community setting) to learn? What blessings did you experience through sharing and discussing with others?

3.

4.

5.

6.

Like Jesus going to the temple teachers, whom do you seek out when you want to discuss and process your questions?

Develop Disciples to Serve is one of Community of Christ’s five Mission Initiatives. How important is this initiative in your life and within your congregation?

What does it mean to be a lifelong learner? Who do you know that exemplifies this concept?

How is your relationship with God, as a child of God, similar to your relationship with your parents? How is it different?

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY Year C, Letters

First Sunday after Christmas

Colossians 3:12–17 Gathering Welcome The Christmas season lasts twelve days, from Christmas Day to Epiphany on January 6. During this time, we celebrate the joy, love, hope, and peace of Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

God of joy and hope, in this festive season we have lit candles and offered prayers in anticipation of the coming Light of peace. We smelled the fragrances and ate the foods that reminded us of celebrations past and the promise of those yet to come. We gave and received gifts to acknowledge the tradition of precious offerings carried to a manger beneath a bright star.

Now, as we rest in this Christmas season, may we remember we are called to bear the Light of peace into the world. May we gather those who are lonely, marginalized, and forgotten to the hospitality of the table of grace. And may we offer our gifts of generosity and peacemaking to the mission of Christ. Amen.

Spiritual Practice Hymn Meditation Read the following aloud: Reflecting on hymns can bring new insight into our life in community with each other and the Divine. The following meditation is an opportunity to read through a hymn instead of singing it. As we read, we will focus on the words and the meaning of the song.

Together, we will read it aloud one time. Then we will read it through once silently. At the end we will share what stood out to us as the message for us today. How is the Spirit stirring within us to respond to this message?

The hymn meditation for today is Community of Christ Sings 420, “Star-Child.”

Sharing Around the Table Colossians 3:12–17 NRSVue Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your

hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Paul uses the metaphor of clothing to suggest that transformation in Christ is all-encompassing.

We are, in essence, wrapped in the love of Christ that changes us from the inside out. The features of Christ’s love, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, exist beyond religious experience. Those features gain expression in relation to others in all aspects of our lives!

Paul writes that becoming a new creation in Christ is a choice, and that above all else love has the potential to change us individually and in community. Stated differently, Christ’s love creates room in our minds and hearts for others by first claiming us as beloved in Christ! Bearing with one another and extending forgiveness signals a new generosity, a willingness to open our hearts to one another, recognizing we all are in the process of becoming.

Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience are virtues that open the heart to feel the circumstances of others as if they were ours. Open hearts are how we begin the journey toward true oneness and interdependence, in families, friendships, neighborhoods and as a global community.

We are invited to wear the clothes of love, even if we struggle to see past our differences. Paul appeals to our better nature, recognizing that intentional acts become, over time, a new way of being and doing in the world.

Paul spoke directly to his audience in this passage, hoping that what was emerging in the people would bear witness to the truth of his words. Having been transformed himself, he left with the admonition to do everything in the name of the One who calls us, loves us, and sends us to be instruments of peace in a broken world.

Questions 1. Where do you see God’s new creation emerging?

2. How can we tangibly express the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience more fully in our daily lives?

3. What spiritual practice might you use to create more space in your heart for others?

Sending Generosity Statement Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

God of love and light, in this season of hope, love, and joy, may the peace of your Son Jesus be made real in the world. May our hearts, minds, hands, and resources be useful in the cause of bringing your light where there is darkness and your love where there is despair, anger, fear, and suffering. May our offerings be used toward your purposes we pray. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn Community of Christ Sings 420, “Star-Child” Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group • •

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children Materials: a basket with small, smooth rocks that have PEACE written on them in permanent marker (Sharpies work well for this.)

• Outreach International brochure: http://outreach-international.org/ Ask: What do you think of when you hear the word peace? (Encourage children to share.

Possible answers are peace and quiet, stop fighting, a peace sign.)

Say: As disciples we share the peace of Jesus Christ. Peace is more than quiet, or a stop to fighting. The peace of Jesus is a peace that is lived when we share compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love.

Working for peace in our world is a big job that seems to far outweigh anything any of us could do alone. But if we work together, each small pebble of peacemaking can make a difference.

Ask children for ideas that help bring peace, healing, and welcoming to others. Possible answers: We can pray for peace each day. We can make friends with new kids at school. We can forgive someone who hurt our feelings. And we can contribute to a Community of Christ affiliate, Outreach International (http://outreach-international.org/).

Say: We each can work to share Christ’s peace in the world. Let’s each take a pebble of peace from the basket to help us remember to work for peace.

Ask children to share the pebbles with everyone in the group.

Thank the children for participating.

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Adapted from http://www.buildfaith.org/pebbles-of-peace/.