Great Service Opportunity! Christmas Village at MBC December 11-16, 6:30-9:30pm Talk with your new “Supper for Six” group about this opportunity to serve.

Merry Christmas to all.

End of Opening Slides

Teammates December 4, 2016 Lee Bennett “Celebrating Advent” Teammates December 4, 2016 Lee Bennett

Setting the mood for Advent https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZO5r_5GmtQ (Lyrics of White Christmas-Crosby) Ceremony of First Advent Candle Reflection: symbol of hope/prophecy Light the first blue candle

RESPONSIVE READING One candle, burning bright, Chasing away the darkness from light The blessing of God, giving new insight.

Reading from the Old Testament “In the last days, the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship. Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Israel. There He will teach us His ways, so that we may obey Him. For in those days, the Lord’s teaching and His word will go out from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-5-written before 700 B.C.)

Prayer God of light, place a candle in our hearts, so we may walk as children of the Light, treading gently on the paths of peace and ever ready to welcome the signs of new life. Amen

From the Psalms “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ And now we are standing here inside your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a well-built city, knit together as a single unit. All the people of Israel—the Lord’s people—make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord as the law requires…Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper… (Psalm 122 assorted-Psalm of Ascent)

Prayer Dear God, on this first Sunday in Advent we begin a spiritual pilgrimage as we joyously anticipate Christmas Day, a reminder of the birth of our Savior. As we come to this place of worship, we know that we are in your presence. Give us your peace that through us all may know the peace that Christ brings. In His name we pray. -- Amen

Angel Gabriel’s Proclamation to Zechariah “[Your son, John,] will precede the coming of the Lord, preparing the people for His arrival. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will change the disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom.” (Luke 1:17; given in the temple in Jerusalem)

Table Talk Recall some of your memories of anticipating Christmas from your childhood. What/who helped to create these? Recall some of the events/programs that brought the spiritual part of Christmas more to a focus in your life. What were they?

Brief ceremony of 2nd Advent Candle Bethlehem or Peace Candle: please light Responsive reading: “Two candles, burning bright, Chasing away the darkness from light. Two candles, glowing light, The blessing of God, giving new sight.” Isaiah 11: 1-10

Continued ceremony Prayer: “Come, Holy God, come and save us. Come, Holy Christ, come and touch us. Come, Holy Spirit, come and revive us. Come and turn us around, and point us to your kingdom.”—Amen Old Testament reading: Psalm 72: 1-11

Prayer following Psalm 72 “Dear God, as the kings and rulers of our world are enthroned, we have witnessed the elaborate preparations made for those events. By the power of Your Spirit, move us to make the preparations needed to welcome You, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Soften our hearts, break down our resistance. Open us anew to your life and love that we may be transformed and may be agents of transformation in the lives of others. For Jesus’ sake.” -- Amen

Personal prayers at tables Please pray for any personal needs that anyone would like to express. Please pray for the outreach of Christmas Village that lives would be impacted for Christ, marriages would be healed, and God would be glorified in all the details and programs. Continue praying for the transfer of power in our government: for the leaders and their families.

Concluding thoughts & prayer Prophecy or Hope (1st Advent candle) blue Bethlehem (preparations) or Peace (2nd Advent candle) blue 2 weeks from today: December 18th (Celebrating the final two Advent candles) Closing prayer