2011 Christmas Fund Advent Candle Liturgy The Third Sunday in Advent December 11, 2011

We gather this morning around our Advent wreath to share our hopes and spread God’s peace. As soon as these two candles are lit, we recognize this sanctuary as a place that holds back the darkness. We move toward the long solstice night and acknowledge the various shadows of our human lives. Reader 1: We gather this morning around our Advent wreath to share our hopes and spread God’s peace. As soon as these two candles are lit, we recognize this sanctuary as a place that holds back the darkness. We move toward the long solstice night and acknowledge the various shadows of our human lives.

Light the Candle of Hope and the Candle of Peace Lighter: (Light the first two candles)

The psalmist promised on behalf of all the people that they would be faithful. “Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.” (Ps 80) There were Magi who traveled to find a child they named a king. They followed a star from sunset to sunrise. Silhouetted against the dawn, on they came, bearing gifts that expressed something wise and amazing. We call it joy, and we light a candle with Joy as it is named. Reader 2: The psalmist promised on behalf of all the people that they would be faithful. “then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.” (Ps 80) There were Magi who traveled to find a child they named a king. They followed a star from sunset to sunrise. Silhouetted against the dawn, on they came, bearing gifts that expressed something wise and amazing. We call it joy, and we light a candle with Joy as it is named.

Light the Candle of Joy, a rose candle. Lighter: (Light the third candle, a rose candle)

That star was the first Global Positioning System - GPS That star was the first Global Positioning System - GPS. The journey to joy is one that all of us still travel and we, too, promise never to turn back. We bring the gift of the year we have passed, sparkly or shabby, happy or sad. Gift receipt with that? Never! We know that Christ will never return and never exchange the hearts we offer. Reader 1: That star was the first Global Positioning System – GPS. The journey to joy is one that all of us still travel and we, too, promise never to turn back. We bring the gift of the year we have passed, sparkly or shabby, happy or sad. Gift receipt with that? Never. We know that Christ will never return and never exchange the hearts we offer.

Let us pray… Emmanuel, God with us, we sing about hope and pass the peace. Joy in church? Yes! We find joy in the prelude, joy in the children’s time, joy in the concerns, joy in the prayers, joy in the sermon, joy in the choir, joy in the offering. Joy! Because your face shines upon us, we promise to bring out the joy not only here, but on every face and in every place in the week to come. Amen. Reader 2: Let us pray… Emmanuel, God with us, we sing about hope and pass the peace. Joy in church? Yes! We find joy in the prelude, joy in the children’s time, joy in the concerns, joy in the prayers, joy in the sermon, joy in the choir, joy in the offering. Joy! Because your face shines upon us, we promise to bring out the joy not only here, but on every face and in every place in the week to come. Amen.

The annual Christmas Fund, Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund sends Christmas gift checks that bring joy to retired clergy and lay workers, this year, 28 of whom are one hundred years old or older. Lighter: The annual Christmas Fund, Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund sends Christmas gift checks that bring joy to retired clergy and lay workers, this year more than 128 of whom are one hundred years old or older.

The psalmist names our joy as living in the presence of God, “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” Reader 1: The psalmist names our joy as living in the presence of God, “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.”

Emmanuel, Holy One, your face shines on our lives and they are filled with joy. As you lit the paths of the wandering Magi with a star, even when they were distant from their destination, we call upon your spark of joy that lives both in familiar traditions and holiday surprises. Shine on Advent calendars opened by small fingers and mistletoe moments. Shine on Skyped greetings and inflatable reindeer dwarfed by the night sky. Shine on the genuine words at an office party, school concerts, cookie making, and family-room visits in a correctional institution. Let our faces reflect to others – especially those who need it most, the joy you shine in us. Amen. Reader 1: Emmanuel, Holy One, your face shines on our lives and they are filled with joy. As you lit the paths of the wandering Magi with a star, even when they were distant from their destination, we call upon your spark of joy that lives both in familiar traditions and holiday surprises. Shine on Advent calendars opened by small fingers and mistletoe moments. Shine on Skyped greetings and inflatable reindeer dwarfed by the night sky. Shine on the genuine words at an office party, school concerts, cookie making, and family-room visits in a correctional institution. Let our faces reflect to others – especially those who need it most, the joy you shine in us. Amen.