Coming Home | HOME IS WHERE WE MEET

ABBREVIATIONS
AH = The Africana Hymnal

BOW = United Methodist Book of Worship

CCLI = Christian Copyright Licensing International, SongSelect

TFWS = The Faith We Sing (2000)

UMH = United Methodist Hymnal

W&S = Worship & Song (2011)

ENTRANCE

Greeting:

Leader: It is good.
People: It is good.
Leader: To be in the house of the Lord.
People: To be in the house of the Lord.
Leader: One more time.
People: One more time.

Congregational Song:

“Gather Us In” TFWS 2236
OR
“You Are Good” W&S 3014
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” UMH 400

Prayer for Illumination: “Jesu, Tawa Pano” (2-3x) TFWS 2273

Spirit, speak the Word.
Spirit, speak the Word.
Spirit, speak the Word.
Speak the word to us.

Text by Taylor Burton-Edwards

WORD AND RESPONSE

Scripture Lesson Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 UMH 806

Sermon: Home is Where We Meet

Congregational Song: We Offer Prayer, E’en as We Meet

TEXT (paired with MORNING SONG):

We offer prayer, e’en as we meet
in this provided space,
for all who know a void within
and long to sense your grace:

For those whose homes will vacant be
this sacred holiday,
who long for warming of the soul,
God, be their rest and stay.

For those who’ve made the earth their home,
who dwell outside today--
on streets, beneath the overpass,
God, be their rest and stay.

For those who’ve faced deep tragedy
and seasons of dismay,
who’ve loved and worked and made and lost,
God, be their rest and stay.

God, help us know your children’s needs
with open hearts and minds,
that we may form a stronger bond,
Held fast by Love Divine.

Text by Jackson Henry

Lighting the Advent Wreath

Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” stanza 5, The United Methodist Hymnal, 211

All [sung]: “O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home.
The captives from their prison free, and conquer death’s deep misery.”

Reader 1: God of Love, you created the universe and all that is in it. You created all things and called them good.

Reader 2: God of Love, you wove into life a beautiful diversity from your infinite palette of creativity. All the creatures that walk or swim, crawl or fly sing praises to you.

All: We, God’s people, affirm the creation of all things in love, saying with the psalmist: “God’s salvation is very close to those who honor [God] so that [God’s] glory can live in our land. Faithful love and truth have met; righteousness and peace have kissed.” (Psalm 85:9-10, CEB)

Reader: On this second Sunday of Advent, we light this candle to remind us that the God of Creation calls us home to love all that we meet.

Light two candles.

All [sung]: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”

Prayers of the People Deacon or Lay Intercessor
“Prayers of the People” TFWS 2201
“Prayers of the People” CCLI #3414705
OR
“Prayer of the People” CCLI #7039048

Thanksgiving (if no communion)

Inviting Deacon or Pastor

The Lord requires of us a pure offering,
without blemish or spot.
We must be right with God
and our neighbor
to offer ourselves or our gifts to God.

Therefore, let us confess our sins against God,
and reconcile with our neighbors.

Let us pray.

Confessing Deacon or Pastor

We confess our sin, O God, our Redeemer. Based on Psalm 85
We have failed to offer steadfast love.
Restore us, O God of our salvation.
Meet us here, and make us whole.

Silence

We have been unfaithful to your calling
to be your voice, hands, and feet
to work for righteousness, justice, and peace,
in all the ways they were available to us.
Restore us, O God of our salvation.
Meet us here, and make us whole. Amen.

Silence

Pardoning and Peace

Steadfast love and faithfulness have met each other.
Righteousness and peace embrace. (Based on Psalm 85:10)
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

Glory to God. Amen!

At peace with God, let us now offer the peace of Christ to one another.

People exchange the peace of Christ.
The offering is collected.

Offertory

Choir/Ensemble/Congregational Music during Collection:

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” UMH 140

Congregational Thanks at Presentation of Gifts BOW 552

(All things come…)
(May be introduced and concluded by singing UMH 588)

Thanksgiving and Communion

Invitation, Confession, Pardon and Peace UMH 7-8

People exchange the peace of Christ.
The offering is collected.

Offertory Music

Choir/Ensemble/Congregational Music during Collection:

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” UMH 140

Great Thanksgiving for Advent BOW 54-55

Congregational Song:

“God Almighty, We Are Waiting” W&S 3047
OR
“Peace, Salaam, Shalom” W&S 3181

Thanksgiving after Communion

Deacon or Pastor and Congregation

Thank you, God, for meeting us
in this holy mystery,
flesh and blood in our flesh and blood.
Send us by your Spirit to be faithful signs of your steadfast love,
people in whom righteousness and peace regularly meet,
so that among us all may find a home;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.