The 2008 Christmas Fund Advent Candle Liturgy

The Fourth Sunday in Advent December 21st, 2008 Both active and retired clergy and lay employees experience love as emergency assistance in time of need from the Christmas Fund.

Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid … (Is Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid … (Is. 40:9b) But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”…(Lk. 1: 30-31) Reader 1: Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid … (Is. 40:9b) But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” (Lk 1: 30-31)

In this season, we light the Candle of Hope, the Candle of Peace, the beautiful Candle of Joy. We lift up our voices in a promise, a prayer and a song, and we are eager for this final candle. Reader 2: In this season, we light the Candle of Hope, the Candle of Peace, the beautiful Candle of Joy. We lift up our voices in a promise, a prayer and a song, and we are eager for this final candle. (Light three previously lit candles, the rose candle last.)

The Candle of Hope, Peace and Joy Lighter: (Lights the First, Second and Third Candle (Rose Candle)) The Christmas Fund’s health supplements bring peace of mind and spirit to many retired pastors, musicians, sextons and administrators.

This is the Candle of Love This is the Candle of Love. God so loved the world that an angel came to a young woman and asked her to bring into life the child named Jesus, who is also the Word from whom love and life and light flows. Mary was not afraid. Neither are we, as we respond with a fearless shout and a chorus of love. Reader 1: This is the Candle of Love. God so loved the world that an angel came to a young woman and asked her to bring into life the child named Jesus, who is also the Word from whom love and life and light flows. Mary was not afraid. Neither are we, as we respond with a fearless shout and a chorus of love.

The Candle of Love Lighter: (Lights the First Candle and Second Candle) Both active and retired clergy and lay employees experience love as emergency assistance in time of need from the Christmas Fund

Stories of love are all around us Stories of love are all around us. There was a pregnancy and a baby, and we are surrounded by pregnancies and babies. There were poor shepherds, wise travelers, an old woman and man waiting in a temple. We too see the poor, the weary, the waiting. Love stirs in our hearts and rises to our lips with names of those who need an angel in this season. We lift them up. (Silence. People may softly voice names for intercessory prayer.) Reader 1: Stories of love are all around us. There was a pregnancy and a baby, and we are surrounded by pregnancies and babies. There were poor shepherds, wise travelers, an old woman and man waiting in a temple. We too see the poor, the weary, the waiting. Love stirs in our hearts and rises to our lips with names of those who need an angel in this season. We lift them up. (Silence. People may softly voice names for intercessory prayer.)

(Let us pray) Emmanuel, Child of God and Son of Mary, we thank you for those who give love in shouts and whispers and the story of the Holy Night. Now bless this sweet procession – all your people and some we carry in our hearts -- as we go forward to the Christmas Moment. Amen . Reader 2: (Let us pray) Emmanuel, Child of God and Son of Mary, we thank you for those who give love in shouts and whispers and the story of the Holy Night. Now bless this sweet procession – all your people and some we carry in our hearts -- as we go forward to the Christmas Moment. Amen

Unison Prayer Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid … (Is40: 9b NIV) Emmanuel, Child of God and Son of Mary, we come to your story as fresh as new love, as unafraid as justice, courage and compassion. Bless this church with its many ministries that we may always respond with a fearless shout of “Amen” to the promise of hope, the prayer for peace, the song of joy and the chorus of love. Amen. . Fourth Sunday in Advent Unison Prayer Option: Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid … (Is40: 9b NIV) Emmanuel, Child of God and Son of Mary, we come to your story as fresh as new love, as unafraid as justice, courage and compassion. Bless this church with its many ministries that we may always respond with a fearless shout of “Amen” to the promise of hope, the prayer for peace, the song of joy and the chorus of love. Amen.