We spotlight each of our worship participants this day, starting with the NEC Theater Room community..
On this Communion Sunday, we’re pleased to introduce Pastor Denise, MW Presbyterian’s new Director of Care Ministry!
WELCOME TO SUNDAY WORSHIP!
MARILYN reads Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Selah
Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps.
SHERI – shares a prayer of praise
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – NOT IN BOOKLETS
O come, O come, Em-man-u-el And ransom captive Is—rael
That mourns in lonely ex–ile here Un-til the Son of God a-ppear
Re-joice! Re-joice! Em-man-u-el Shall come to thee, O Is–ra-el.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine ad-vent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Re-joice! Re-joice! Em-man-u-el Shall come to thee, O Is–ra-el.
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high And order all things, far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show And cause us in her ways to go
Re-joice! Re-joice! Em-man-u-el Shall come to thee, O Is–ra-el.
O come, Thou Key of David, come, And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to mi–sery.
Re-joice! Re-joice! Em-man-u-el Shall come to thee, O Is–ra-el.
BILL reads Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
LAURA – shares a Prayer of Confession
Let us break bread together on our knees,
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink wine together on our knees,
Let us drink wine together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us praise God together on our knees,
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh, Lord, have mercy on me.
DENISE – meditation plus communion
- Steve distributes the all-in-one cup/wafer at a time directed by Denise
- those at home, bring some bread and drink for communion purposes
STEVE L: Discussion of Joys & Concerns
- Confluence of pandemics (COVID-19, racial injustice, income inequality, climate);
- HEALTH CONCERNS:
- MWPC – Covid-19 sufferers; Bill R.; Bruce S.; Nancy K.;
- JOYS:
- Advent Bags, including devotional booklets
STEVE: Prayer, including Joys & Concerns shared above
- Joys & Concerns shared above
- concluding with The Lord’s Prayer
Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, all is bright,
‘round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy Infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, Holy night, shepherds quake at the sight,
glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, Holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.