Worship at St. Helena United Methodist Church

 Sunday Worship

December 5, 2021 

10 a.m.

The Second Sunday of Advent

Communion Sunday

 

Wherever we are in our spiritual journey,we intend to come into closer relationship with God and with each other. God's presence awakens our hearts, and informs our lives, so that we are grounded by divine grace. Our church is a place where we practice living in faith, supporting each other so that with time we become the beloved community.  For when we awaken our soul, God is brought into the world.

 

December 5, 2021

Sunday Worship

10 a.m.

The Second Sunday of Advent

Communion Sunday

Prelude

 

Musicians: Ron and Esther Brunswick, Jamie Holder

 Welcome 

 

Announcements

Contemplative Prayer: Touched by an Angel 

__Maya Angelou

Passing the peace 

Call to worship:

We come from a world of darkness

Into Christ’s world of light.

We come from a world of weariness

Into God’s strength and hope.

We come from a slumbering world.

Strengthened by the Spirit,

we come to awaken our souls

and prepare for the coming of Christ.

 

 _____

Lighting of the Second Advent Candle-Peace

 

Singing: Love Divine All Loves Excelling, #384, verses 1,2, & 4

1 Love divine, all loves excelling, 
joy of heav’n, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling, 
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion, 
pure, unbounded love thou art.
Visit us with thy salvation;
enter ev'ry trembling heart.

 

2 Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into ev’ry troubled breast.
Let us all in thee inherit, 
let us find the promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning; 
Alpha and Omega be.
End of faith, as its beginning, 
set our hearts at liberty.

 

4 Finish, then, thy new creation; 
true and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation 
perfectly restored in thee.
Changed from glory into glory, 
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee, 
lost in wonder, love and praise.

 

Unity prayer:

God of Advent waiting and watching, we have come to you this day with hearts heavy, with concerns for family and friends; for world situations; for struggles in town, state, and nation. So we withdraw into ourselves, quick to criticize and slow to change. But today you have called us to prepare ourselves. You remind us that this one for whom we wait, will bring the message of peace. But there is much work to do. We need to clean our spiritual houses of the cobwebs of hate, greed, apathy, suspicion. We need to focus more on your love and forgiveness. Help us to turn our lives to you, with prayers for your healing mercies so that we become your spirit filled, loving servants in this world. Amen.

 

Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

For the word of God in scripture

For the word of God among us

For the word of God within us

All- Thanks be to God.

 

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