Home Worship Advent-Christmas-Epiphany 2018-19 Worship Planning Series

Advent-Christmas-Epiphany 2018-19 Worship Planning Series

Advent marks the beginning of another year in the cycle of Scriptures that presents the narrative of the love of God revealed to the world. As is our usual fashion, we — the worship resource planning team—have chosen to take Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany together as a seven-part series to begin Year C in the Revised Common Lectionary. Each week (with the exception of the first Sunday after Christmas Day) includes two Scriptures—the Old Testament and Gospel readings—that complement one another in illustrating how we are to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Lk. 3:4).

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December 2018

Dec

First Sunday of Advent 2018, Year C

Stand

For the series “Prepare the Way,” we decided to use two of the lectionary texts for every week except the Sunday after Christmas. We were called to the traditional Luke texts that present Advent and t...

December 2018

Dec

Second Sunday of Advent 2018, Year C

Refine

The word “refine” is the primary focus this week. It stems from the effects of the coming messenger’s work. It is a call to renewal on the part of God’s people. It is not so much the idea of punishmen...

December 2018

Dec

Third Sunday of Advent 2018, Year C

Do

This week in the Advent season is known as Guadete Sunday, or the Sunday of joy. It is represented by a pink candle on the traditional Advent wreath. The liturgical space should support the preacher’...

December 2018

Dec

Fourth Sunday of Advent 2018, Year C

Welcome

The Gospel of Luke emphasizes “God’s concern for the lowly, the hungry, and the disadvantaged, and God’s judgment upon the self-indulgent.” A part of our Wesleyan DNA is ministry for and with the poor...

December 2018

Dec

Christmas Eve 2018, Year C

Arrive

For Christians, Christmas Eve is a moment of open arms— as a midwife who extends her arms to receive the newly born child. As the church, we also extend our arms to receive Jesus once again, with all ...

December 2018

Dec

First Sunday After Christmas Day 2018, Year C

Search

The word for this week is “Search.” Mary and Joseph search for their lost child, Jesus. Jesus is on a search for answers; he is developing into adulthood, and—above all— discovering his mission as Son...

January 2019

Jan

Epiphany Sunday 2019, Year C

Find

For the preacher, Epiphany is a time to call the congregation to jump into the crescendo of the history of salvation. The light of Christ will become more intense as we progress into the Epiphany seas...