The 2010 Christmas Fund Advent Candle Liturgy Readings begin on slide 3

The Fourth Sunday in Advent December 19th, 2010 Both active and retired clergy and lay employees experience love as emergency assistance in time of need from the annual Christmas Fund. Readings begin on slide 3

We have hope in our voices, peace in our hands, joy in our hearts We have hope in our voices, peace in our hands, joy in our hearts. Hope and peace and joy – these three candles have lit the month. Reader 1: We have hope in our voices, peace in our hands, joy in our hearts. Hope and peace and joy – these three candles have lit the month.

This is the week of the winter solstice This is the week of the winter solstice. Let us re-light these candles in the shadows of this season, especially this rose candle, for those for whom Christmas may be “blue.” Reader 2: This is the week of the winter solstice. Let us re-light these candles in the shadows of this season, especially this rose candle, for those for whom Christmas may be “blue.”

The Candle of Hope, Peace and Joy Lighter: (Lights the First, Second and Third Candle -Rose Candle last) The 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 of 30 of whom are one hundred years old or older.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. (Mt. 1.18) Reader 1: Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. (Mt. 1.18)

This is the Candle of Love and now is our circle complete in one human couple and the Holy Spirit. Love communicates hope; love compromises for peace; love is the compassion in joy. The flame of this candle is the comma in every sentence of sadness, of loss, of doubt, of despair, of anger. Love lets no end come without a beginning or a Bethlehem. Lighter: This is the Candle of Love and now is our circle complete in one human couple and the Holy Spirit. Love communicates hope; love compromises for peace; love is the compassion in joy. The flame of this candle is the comma in every sentence of sadness, of loss, of doubt, of despair, of anger. Love lets no end come without a beginning or a Bethlehem.

The Candle of Love Lighter: (Lights the fourth candle) Both active and retired clergy and lay employees experience love as emergency assistance in time of need from the Christmas Fund – Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund.

(let us pray) Emmanuel, let us this morning and all this week long be fully open to receive your love for ourselves and to offer love to others in a box with a bow or simply with a single word, and to expect our church to sing love, share love, and hold love like a modern day manger for the neighbor and the refugee, for the friend with cancer and the couple newly pregnant, for those who are searching for meaning and those who are old magi with wisdom to share. Amen Reader 2: (let us pray) Emmanuel, let us this morning and all this week long be fully open to receive your love for ourselves and to offer love to others in a box with a bow or simply with a single word, and to expect our church to sing love, share love, and hold love like a modern day manger for the neighbor and the refugee, for the friend with cancer and the couple newly pregnant, for those who are searching for meaning and those who are old magi with wisdom to share. Amen

Unison Prayer Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. (Mt. 1:18) Emmanuel, god promised and always with us, we thank you for making us lovers. A child is longing for Christmas morning – and we can offer love. A teenager is leaning on the limits – and we can offer love. A new parent is laughing with wonder at ten toes – and we can offer love. One couple is looking at a new ring and another is losing a marriage – and we can offer love. A neighbor is learning a diagnosis and a stranger is leaving this life all alone – and we offer love, because we know you have first loved us, and because we continually experience the Holy Spirit’s love through this church and your precious world. Amen. . Reader 1: Fourth Sunday in Advent Unison Prayer Option: Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. (Mt. 1:18) Emmanuel, god promised and always with us, we thank you for making us lovers. A child is longing for Christmas morning – and we can offer love. A teenager is leaning on the limits – and we can offer love. A new parent is laughing with wonder at ten toes – and we can offer love. One couple is looking at a new ring and another is losing a marriage – and we can offer love. A neighbor is learning a diagnosis and a stranger is leaving this life all alone – and we offer love, because we know you have first loved us, and because we continually experience the Holy Spirit’s love through this church and your precious world. Amen.