Welcome   Before you begin this week, gather: A circle form (this can be a florist wreath form made of foam or metal, or a pre-formed Advent wreath). Four purple or blue candles, One white pillar candle, Greenery (natural or artificial). Matches or a lighter. One:    Today we celebrate the beginning of Advent. We wait for the coming of Jesus. All:      Emmanuel, God with us.    One:    We begin with a circle to remind us of God’s unending love and presence. All:      Emmanuel, God with us. One:    We bring evergreens to remind us the hope we find knowing Jesus is eternal. All:      Emmanuel, God with us. One:    We gather four candles to mark the four weeks of joy and anticipation as we wait for the babe in the manger and the coming of Christ again. All:      Emmanuel, God with us. One:   The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world. All:      Emmanuel, God with us.   One:    Four candles are purple as a reminder to prepare … [Read more...]

Welcome  Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy to begin your time of learning together.  One:    Come, let us gather around and see how the Spirit will nurture our faith today. All:      Who is with us? One:    Christ, the light of the world. (Place a candle on a table in your gathering place and light it.) All:      Who is with us? One:   The Love of God, who came to meet us in the world. (Place a cross on a table in your gathering place.) All:      Who is with us? One:    The Wisdom of God, who speaks through the Scriptures. (Place an open Bible on a table in your gathering place.) All:      Who is with us? One:    The Grace of God, who proclaims we are children of God. (Place a symbol of baptism – a bowl of water, a seashell – on a table in your gathering space.) All:      Who is with us? One:    Our risen Lord, who meets us at the table. (Place a symbol of communion – a plate and cup, a loaf of bread, grapes – on a table … [Read more...]

Several years ago, I taught a Sunday school class for pre-teens.  One of the boys in the group was skeptical of church and Christianity, but his parents wanted him to attend.  During our class one particular Sunday, he looked at me, sighed and said: “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.  All we ever talk about is Jesus!” Of course, he was right.  Jesus is the foundation of the church.  And we do talk about Jesus — a lot!  But when we share stories of Jesus with children, we tend to focus primarily on his divinity.  We may mention that Jesus was both fully God and fully human, but the human side doesn’t get a whole lot of attention. This week’s lectionary reading, Matthew 25:31-46, gives us an opportunity to explore Jesus’ humanity with our children.  It encourages us not only to respond to one another as Jesus would, but it also demonstrates that Jesus can be found in the midst of our very human frailties. Before you read the Bible text with your children, ask them to think about what it … [Read more...]

You are welcome to use this liturgy in your online worship services and distribute it to your congregation. It is free for worship use.  Please credit Jill Duffield of the Presbyterian Outlook. Download the PDF of the full order worship: Liturgy 11.22.20 … [Read more...]

  Welcome  Invite various persons to bring a designated item and use this liturgy to begin your time of learning together.  One:    Come, let us gather around and see how the Spirit will nurture our faith today. All:      Who is with us? One:    Christ, the light of the world. (Place a candle on a table in your gathering place and light it.) All:      Who is with us? One:   The Love of God, who came to meet us in the world. (Place a cross on a table in your gathering place.) All:      Who is with us? One:    The Wisdom of God, who speaks through the Scriptures. (Place an open Bible on a table in your gathering place.) All:      Who is with us? One:    The Grace of God, who proclaims we are children of God. (Place a symbol of baptism – a bowl of water, a seashell – on a table in your gathering space.) All:      Who is with us? One:    Our risen Lord, who meets us at the table. (Place a symbol of communion – a plate and cup, a loaf of bread, grapes – on … [Read more...]