Lessons and Carols

December 22, 2024 Lessons and Carols 4th Sunday of Advent Year C Prelude Greeting Lighting of the Advent Candle Reader One: When the people were looking for deliverance, the prophet Micah declared, “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah…from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient day.” (Micah 5:2). But what if Micah is also talking to us, proclaiming, “But you, O Wilmington, from you shall come forth for me…” What? What might God be calling forth from us? Congregation: God invites us to receive the promise of God’s salvation and the sustenance of God’s mercy and grace, enabling us to live the promise as God-bearers to the world. As Christ was born in Bethlehem, so too we answer God’s invitation to have Christ born among us today and every day. Reader Two: We light this candle of love as a sign of our commitment to live as people of God’s promise, a promise of salvation and flourishing for all people that springs forth from God’s love for all creation. (United Methodist Board of Discipleship) Light the fourth candle of the Advent wreath. Call to Worship One: We’re SO close! We eagerly wait for the birth of one who will stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord. Many: We’ve come today to remind ourselves of the one who is coming, even in the midst of all the parties and presents. One: For the gift of this child, the one of peace, is for ALL to live lives of security. Many: With destruction, war and pain all around, we plead “Come!” One: Come! For this is the one of peace. Many: Come, Holy One of Peace! (Disciples of Christ, Center for Faith and Giving) Opening Prayer On this almost-but-not-quite-there morning, God, we’ve come to give you thanks for Mary, who carried Jesus to his birth. We’ve come to thank you for our tangible anticipation of the Coming One, who became Love embodied. In this hour, renew in us strong hope which brings us peace because of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. AMEN. (Disciples of Christ, Center for Faith and Giving0 A Sermon for all Ages Object: A magnifying glass. Good morning, boys and girls. Imagine what it would be like to make yourself as big as you wanted to be with a magic wand, or a special word. How big would you like to be? (Let them answer.) That's big. There is something about being big that is exciting. We can hardly wait until we grow up to be as big as our fathers and mothers. To be able to grow tall is wonderful. It's great to grow smart and strong. But the Bible is always telling us that it is even greater to grow another way. I want to talk to you about the way this morning. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a true believer in God all of her life. Even when she was a child, she knew that God was something very special to her. I am sure that she prayed and worshiped God every day. But when she was told by God that she was going to have a child, and that the child was going to be special because it was going to be God's son, then she believed even more. Mary talked about her soul being magnified. How many of you have a magnifying glass? Do you know what a magnifying glass does? (Let them answer.) Right, it makes everything look larger and easier to read or see. Mary said that her soul was magnified. It was larger than before. Not only was it larger, but her love for God and the wonderful things that he was able to do was also larger for everyone else to see. Mary could not stop talking or praising God for the wonderful things that had happened to her. I wish that we could magnify all of our souls. All of us know something about God, and we think that he is great for the things that he has done for us, but how do we show it? Do we sing songs about God with glad hearts and joyful voices? Do we thank God in prayer and tell others how wonderful God is to share his world with us? Do we thank him for all of the good things that are in the world? That is what we call magnifying the Lord, to make God easy to see for everyone. Let your friends and neighbors know that you know how good God is to you. When you see a magnifying glass I want you to remember Mary, the mother of Jesus, and how happy she was to be able to serve God. When you think about how glad Mary was, then think about how glad you are to know God and share God's love in the same world with others. Amen. CSS Publishing, Lima, Ohio, Exegetical Aim: God can do some awesome things. Props: A Bible and photographs (or replicas) of some big things: elephant, tree, world, stars, or universe. The bigger the photo the better. Lesson: Good morning. (response) How is everyone doing? (response) Here is a question for you this morning, and I think you know the answer to it. How big is God? (response) Tell me. Show the respective pictures: Is God bigger than an elephant? (response) Sound incredulous: How is he bigger than an elephant? (response) Is God bigger than a tree? (response) How is God bigger than a tree? (response) Is God bigger than the world? (response)How can God be bigger than the world? (response) Okay, I know this one is impossible. Is God bigger than the universe? (response) Now how can he be bigger than the stars and the whole universe? (response) But that's the biggest thing ever! How can he be bigger than the universe? (response) For a touch of humor you might add as the very last question a picture of someone famous who will create laughter. Application: [Slowly as if you are thinking this through:] Okay. If God is bigger than an elephant and he is bigger than a tree, if he is even bigger than the world and the stars and the whole universe, then how can God be a baby and fit inside Mary's tummy? (response) Have the appropriate text marked:] It says right here in Luke chapter 1 verse 43 that Mary was the mother of our Lord. How can that be? How can God who is bigger than all things be a baby? In Mary's tummy? (response) That's the amazing thing about God. He is so big and strong and powerful that he even can become a baby in Mary's tummy. He can do whatever he chooses. He can be bigger than the world or he can be small like when he came to earth as the baby Jesus. But the most amazing thing of all is that he became a small baby because he loved us and he wanted to be with us. God is so amazing and so good. Let's Pray: God, we know that you are greater than all the trees and stars and things that are. And even though you are so much bigger than us, you became one of us and loved us. Amen CSS Publishing Company, Children's Sermons A to Z, by Brett Blair Prayer of Confession Lord, we are so excited. Christmas Eve Day is here. We want to jump ahead to the exciting and wondrous worship service that we will hold this evening. We are impatient to hear the whole story. Slow us down again, Lord. Cause us to look at the blossoming of the branch and remind us that your love is blossoming in our lives. As we hear Mary say "Yes!" to God's good news, help us to remember that God continually calls us to be those who will bear the good news to those in need. Forgive us when we forget to do that. Heal our wounds and bind up our spirits. Enable us to go into your world offering our lives, our gifts, our talents, for your glory. In Jesus' Name, we pray. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Words of Assurance God's love and faithfulness have been at work in you. You are healed and forgiven. Rejoice in God's love and blossom. AMEN. (United Methodist Ministry Matters, Nancy Townley) Lessons and Carols Script (Liturgist reads lessons 2, 4, 6) First Lesson Isaiah 40:1-8 The Good news of God’s Return Comfort for God’s people 40 Comfort, comfort my people! says your God. 2 Speak compassionately to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her compulsory service has ended, that her penalty has been paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins! 3 A voice is crying out: “Clear the Lord’s way in the desert! Make a level highway in the wilderness for our God! 4 Every valley will be raised up, and every mountain and hill will be flattened. Uneven ground will become level, and rough terrain a valley plain. 5 The Lord’s glory will appear, and all humanity will see it together; the Lord’s mouth has commanded it.” 6 A voice was saying: “Call out!” And another[a] said, “What should I call out?” All flesh is grass; all its loyalty is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass dries up and the flower withers when the Lord’s breath blows on it. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass dries up; the flower withers, but our God’s word will exist forever. Carol Go Tell it on the Mountain UMH 251 Second Lesson Jeremiah 23:5-6 Hope for those who are faithful Promise of a righteous and just king 5 The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous descendant[a] from David’s line, and he will rule as a wise king. He will do what is just and right in the land. 6 During his lifetime, Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And his name will be The Lord Is Our Righteousness.[b Carol O Come All Ye Faithful UMH 234 Third Lesson Zechariah 9:9-10 Peace to a worn torn land Joy and protection for Judah and Ephraim 9 Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion. Sing aloud, Daughter Jerusalem. Look, your king will come to you. He is righteous and victorious. He is humble and riding on an ass, on a colt, the offspring of a donkey. 10 He[a] will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the warhorse from Jerusalem. The bow used in battle will be cut off; he will speak peace to the nations. His rule will stretch from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. Carol What Child is This UMH 219 Fourth Lesson Haggai 2:6-9 A new temple more glorious than ever This is what the Lord of heavenly forces says: In just a little while, I will make the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land quake. 7 I will make all the nations quake. The wealth of all the nations will come. I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of heavenly forces. 8 The silver and the gold belong to me, says the Lord of heavenly forces. 9 This house will be more glorious than its predecessor, says the Lordof heavenly forces. I will provide prosperity in this place, says the Lord of heavenly forces. Carol Angels We Have Heard on High UMH 238 Fifth Lesson Luke 1:26-35, 38 Angel announces to Mary she will have a son Jesus’ birth foretold 26 When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, 27 to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary.28 When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” 29 She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. 31 Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. 33 He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?” 35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son 38 Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing UMH 240 Sixth Lesson Mark 1:1-15 Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom 1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ, God’s Son,2 happened just as it was written about in the prophecy of Isaiah: Look, I am sending my messenger before you. He will prepare your way, 3 a voice shouting in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight.”[a] John’s preaching 4 John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 5 Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Jesus is baptized and tempted 9 About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him.11 And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.” 12 At once the Spirit forced Jesus out into the wilderness. 13 He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among the wild animals, and the angels took care of him. Jesus’ message 14 After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee announcing God’s good news, 15 saying, “Now is the time! Here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and trust this good news!” Carol When Christmas Morn is Dawning UMH 232 Bidding Prayer Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas, let us prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its true meaning. Let us hear, in lessons from Holy Scripture, how the prophets of Israel foretold that God would visit and redeem the waiting people. Let us rejoice, in our carols and hymns, that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled. Let us celebrate the promise that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will bring all peoples and things into the glory of God’s eternal kingdom. The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. But first let us pray for the world that God so loves, for those who have not heard the good news of God, or who do not believe it; for those who walk in darkness and the shadow of death and for the Church in this place and everywhere, that it may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God. These prayers and praises let us humbly offer to God, in the words and Christ himself taught us… (United Methodist Book of Worship) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Christmas is a time for giving gifts, even for people who have no recognition of the Biblical story of Mary, Elizabeth, or the baby Jesus. For us, however, who steadfastly try to place a crèche in front of all the candy canes, carefully wrapped packages and the blare of Hallmark movies, Christmas helps us recognize the remarkable gift of the infant who grew to become the Christ. It’s in response to that gift that we share gifts. With an effort, we’re able to reach beyond those with whom we live, work, or travel. Together, we’re able to share gifts with ________________ (list several of the ways your congregation shares gifts in this season; including outreach to children, families or other congregations, and the special day Christmas offering for Disciples in support of our own regional office and staff). We gladly give, remembering we are the hands and feet of Jesus for others. With joy, let us share our morning tithes, offerings and gifts. Prayer of Thanksgiving On this Sunday closest to Christmas Day, we offer these gifts to you, Generous God. Thank you for the ways you continue to provide for us and for all your beloved creatures. Encourage each of us to follow the pattern of constant and consistent giving that you’ve set. May we practice generosity so “when the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone…the work of Christmas” (from Howard Thurman) continues on! AMEN. (Disciples of Christ, Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook As you leave this place, may you go knowing that from generation to generation, we have been claimed and loved. From generation to generation, God has been by our side. From generation to generation, we are not alone. The God of yesterday and the God of tomorrow knows you by name, loves you, and calls you forth, saying, “Go be the person you are called to be, love wildly, do justice, and come back soon.” May it be so. Amen. (Sanctified Art.com, Anna Strickland) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction As we seek the ways of God and our Creator’s intentions for our lives, May the Spirit of God enliven us as we love boldly, May the Spirit of God strengthen us as we create paths of peace. May the Spirit of God awaken us as we love generously and widely. A season of birth is imminent, for God’s love is with us as we seek our renewal of life. (United Church of Christ, Michelle Torigian) Brass Postlude