December 19th Virtual Worship
| The Order of Worship - Fourth Sunday of Advent |
|---|
| The Bells Call Us To Worship |
| Welcome & Comments about Today's Music |
| Prelude: |
| Call to Worship |
| Hymn of Adoration: |
| Confession of Sin |
| Kyrie |
| Assurance of Pardon |
| Greeting of Peace |
| Gloria |
| Scripture Reading: Luke 1:39-45 |
| A Message to Children |
| Worship in Music |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection: |
| Sermon: The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Peace Through the Spirit |
| Hymn of Parting: |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude: |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Jenna Crafts
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Peace Through the Spirit
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
[Reading above - Luke 1: 39-45]
The Holy Spirit appears more than fifty times in the Gospel According to Luke and the second volume, The Acts of the Apostles. This is more than triple the number of occurrences in the other three gospels combined. Luke’s story of Jesus and his disciples, including the nativity, is moved forward by the Spirit. God’s Spirit not only inspires Elizabeth to acknowledge the blessing of Mary and the child she carries but the Spirit also inspires Mary in her own proclamation of faith and praise in verses 46-55. Mary’s song resonates with the ancient song of Hannah (I Samuel 2:1-10) proclaiming the reversal that is the reign of God, humbling the exalted and exalting the humble. This song is a prelude to Jesus’ teachings and ministry.
Questions for Reflection:
Elizabeth experiences a physical manifestation of the Spirit’s presence. How have you experienced God’s Spirit in your body as well as your heart and mind?
The word “blessed” is used three times in this brief passage. Considering Mary’s situation, do you think Mary was feeling blessed prior to coming to see Elizabeth? Mary stayed three months with Elizabeth, what does that suggest about the role Elizabeth played at this crucial time in Mary’s life?
How has a mentor helped you through a challenging time? How are you paying that forward?
A Practice to Focus on Discipleship
We are using an ancient spiritual practice called Lectio Divina. This is a prayerful way of reading a scripture passage with mindfulness of Christ’s Living Spirit in the words. We are currently using Romans 12:9-18 as our scripture focus. On Sundays please slowly read through these verses a few times in an attitude of prayer. Pay attention to a word or phrase that stands out. Then apply this word or phrase to the challenges and opportunities of each day in the week. On Saturday look back and give thanks for the way Christ has helped you live as a more faithful disciple. If you need help or guidance, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
Video Recordings (Recorded Live)
