First Sunday of Advent - Hanging of the Greens

November 30, 2014

*Those who are able are invited to stand

Gathering

Welcome

*Call to Worship:

READER: In the days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest

of mountains and shall be raised above the hill. All the nations shall stream to it. Many people shall come and say:

CONGREGATION: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the

God of Jacob; that God may teach us God’s ways and that we may walk in God’s paths.”

READER: With what shall we come to God’s house?

CONGREGATION: Bring branches of cedar and holly, bring evergreens and a pine tree.

Hang wreaths and garlands.

READER: Make the church fragrant with the smell of living things and our holy play.

*Hymn “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” #211

*Opening Prayer:

Good Lord, by your mercy, guide our outward actions in such ways that our inward being

is formed in faith, hope and love. May the decorations we offer engage our senses during

the days of Advent and enliven our praise and worship in the name of the child of Bethlehem,

our risen and coming savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Offering our Gifts and Tithes

*Doxology

*Offering Prayer:

Amazing God of love, we bring to you tithes and our offerings, knowing that you are a just

God who promises to not only bless what we give, by to pay our wages on time and in full,

and establish your eternal covenant with us. We are exploding in praise deep in our souls;

we are bursting with joy as your justice and mercy come into full bloom and are displayed

before the world around us. Keep us faithful so our actions may be worthy of the salvation

and the covenant your Son brings to us. Amen.

EVERGREEN

CONGREGATION: Eternal God, your love is forever. As we hang our greens, may they be a

constant reminder throughout the season that you came to give us new life and give it abundantly.

Each day you renew us and make all things new. Allow us to live into your love today and always.

Hymn “There’s a Song in the Air” #249

POINSETTIA

Song “Come and See the King” Female Chorus

Lyrics and Music by Ron Brand

If you were given a poinsettia, please bring it forward at this time.

WREATHS

CONGREGATION: Incredible God, You are the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.

Forgive us for the ways in which we have failed to share Your never ending love with the world.

May the wreathes that decorate our church and homes motivate us to take moments every day

to give your love away and touch lives. As Your love is constant, may our love for your world

be constant too. Amen.

Song “The First Noel” Male Chorus

ANGEL

CONGREGATION: Loving God, Your angels proclaimed the great news and sand

of Your eternal gift. Our world is so full of noise that distracts us from their songs.

Each time we see an angel this season, open our eyes and ears that we might encounter

Your good news in the midst of our hectic world. Amen.

Song “Angels We Have Heard on High” Alumni Chorus

ADVENT WREATH

The Montalbano Family

HOLLY

Song “O Come All Ye Faithful” Amy Shannon,

Marcus Thaw, Rachel Thaw

Gary Burdick, Eddie Harris

NATIVITY SCENE

Song “Silent Night” Chancel Choir

The children are invited to come forward to pick up a piece of

the nativity and help place it in the manger.

LIGHTS

Song “O Holy Night” Gary Burdick,

Nicole Slobodnyak,

Scott Slobodnyak,

Rachel Thaw

Commission and Blessing

Benediction

Postlude

Thank you to all who shared their gifts and talents with us today.

Your efforts made this service memorable and it continues to be a wonderful tribute to Kim

and the MAUMC tradition.

~~Eddie and Barbara