1 December 2024

WORSHIP RESOURCES

First Sunday of Advent (Joy)

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Joy before Us

 

Additional Scriptures

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-10; Luke 21:25-36;

Doctrine and Covenants 163:10a-b

 

Preparation

During Advent, create a tabletop wreath for a center of worship. Candles are placed in a wreath with greenery around them. The circle of greenery reminds us that God is without beginning or end. Four purple or dark blue candles, one for each week in Advent, are set in the circle. A rose-colored candle may be used for the week of Advent that represents joy. A white Christ candle for Christmas Day is placed in the center. Each Sunday the previous week’s candle(s) is relit before the service, and one additional candle is lit. Light the fifth candle, the Christ candle, during a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service to signify the birth of Jesus. For a hybrid service, encourage those watching from home to create their own Advent worship center.

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “joy.”

Decorate with the liturgical color of the season, deep blue.

Prior to the Advent season, invite participants to suggest their favorite Christmas carols to be sung during the gathering time of each Advent worship service.

Remind those online to prepare their Communion emblems.

Praise

Prelude                                               

Gathering with Carols of the Season              Choose 1 or 2 songs

“Come, O Come, Emmanuel”       CCS 394

“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”   CCS 400

“Joy to the World”     CCS 408

OR

            Sing carols that have been previously suggested by participants.

 

Welcome

As is tradition in the Community of Christ, because today is the first Sunday of December, we invite you all to share in Communion.

Invitation to Communion

All are welcome at Christ’s table. Communion is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ in our lives. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others might have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

We come together in joy for the first Sunday in Advent! Let us embody the joy of the season in our relationships with others as we worship together today. May we continue on the journey toward Bethlehem with joyful anticipation.

Lighting of the Advent Candles

Advent is the season in the Christian calendar that celebrates the four Sundays before Christmas. In Latin, Advent means “coming” and it is a time to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas, the coming of Jesus into our world.

Today, we light the candle of joy.      Light candle.

Joy is a song for all to sing! We are also invited to share with others the joy we have found in and with God.

Hymn Response

“Hope Is a Light”                               Stanza 3                                              CCS 398

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “joy” and teach it to the children so they can accompany participants during this hymn with the sign when this word is sung.

How to sign: Horizontal flat hand brushes up chest twice in an oval motion.

Proclamation of the Word

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Homily

            Based on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Ministry of Music OR Congregational Hymn

            “I Danced in the Morning"  CCS 23

            OR “Wait for the Lord”     Sing several times.      CCS 399

Confession

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

            Communion Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:17-30

            Communion Talk

Confession

In preparation for Communion, we will join in the spiritual practice of confession, to examine our hearts and bring into the light those things that hide in the dark recesses of our beings. In this way, we give them to God, ask for forgiveness, and be made new in God’s mercy and grace.

 

Place your hands in your lap, palms facing up in a posture of openness.

Our scripture will be read three times, pausing after each reading. In the moments of silence reflect on those things you wish to bring into the light and give to God in an act of confession and repentance. The last period of silence will be closed with “Amen.”

Scripture of Confession: Doctrine and Covenants 163:10a-b

Moment of silence

Repeat reading of Scripture of Confession

Moment of silence

Repeat reading of Scripture of Confession

Moment of silence

Amen.

Commitment

Hymn of Preparation

            “I Come with Joy, A Child of God" CCS 533

            OR “I Wonder as I Wander" CCS 435

            OR “Is There One Who Feels Unworthy?" CCS 526

Blessing and Serving of Bread and Wine

Log in to Our Ministry Tools and search for Guidelines Lord’s Supper. If you have not used this library of resources, go to CofChrist.org/our-ministry-tools.

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle.

Peace Prayer

Igniter of the First Flame,

You who gives oxygen to fire, you who gives fig trees fruit, you who gives expectant people hope, grant peace to those who wait in despair. As we celebrate joy, we know many struggle to feel your joy and peace. They struggle to find their voice in the world because they have lost the joy of singing and shouting excitedly!

But you are faithful, God. You will restore joy to those who have lost it, you will bring peace to the nations and return joy to lives in despair. Excite us anew, O God, that we might share our joy with others and work for the kind of peace that delights you. As the potter forms clay, form us into a peaceful community that embraces and exudes peace. Pump us full of oxygen again, so that the peace flame might spark and grow and spread to all this season. Amen.

                                                                                        —Tiffany and Caleb Brian

Disciples’ Generous Response

Reading:     “A Christmas Prayer,” pages 2-3 in Prayer Seeds by Joyce Rupp, Sorin Books, 2017, ISBN 13 978-1-933495-98-9

OR “No Obvious Angels”              Stanza 1                                                          CCS 418

Oblation

On this Sunday as we share in the sacraments, our loose offerings are dedicated to Abolishing Poverty and Ending Needless Suffering. This is how God’s generous compassion grows more visible in tangible ways.

Statement

During the Advent season, we are reminded of God’s abundant generosity in the gift of his son, Jesus. As we reflect on this freely given gift, may we be reminded that God calls us to bless the world with our own gifts. As we generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion, bringing hope to the world.

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).

Blessing and Receiving of Oblation, Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Hymn of Joy in Giving

“In the Bleak Midwinter”  CCS 422

“We Lift Our Voices”   CCS 618

OR “My Gratitude Now Accept, O God/Gracias, Señor"   CCS 614/615

Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

Benediction

Sending Forth: Psalm 25:4-10

Postlude

 

 

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Year C—Letters

First Sunday of Advent

 

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Exploring the Scripture

A central message in Paul’s letter to the new church community in Thessalonica is to encourage people. He counsels them to deepen their love for one another as they grow in faith and prepare for Christ’s return. The preacher can approach this scripture text in two parts—Paul’s acknowledgment and joy of the community’s continued faithfulness (v. 9–10) and Paul’s prayer for the people as they prepare for Christ’s coming (v.11–13).

This new group experienced cultural challenges and persecution as the disciples tried to live and share in love and faith. Through their witness, Paul found strength and hope that filled him with joy. Though Paul no longer lived with them, he felt the blessings of community. They reciprocated Paul’s love in how they lived their faith, their love for Christ, and their love for Paul.

When we are willing to make our love and faith known, we make it possible for others to experience the hope that can fill their lives with joy. The blessings of a community formed in Christ-like love can be the stimulus of hope coming alive in another. When hope is alive, it opens a pathway for us to receive and share love.

As Paul expresses his love and joy for this community, he shares a moment of blessing with it, which is the second part of the text. Paul’s prayer reminds people that the strength they can experience increases as they grow in love for one another and all, just as they experienced Paul’s love for them. In his prayer, Paul invites them to widen the circle and to see the Worth of All Persons. But as his prayer continues, he calls them to remember that Jesus strengthens their hearts as they continue to live faithfully with an attitude of holiness and prepare for Christ’s coming.

Their growth in communal love reflects their preparation for Christ’s coming. Paul’s prayer for the community does not counsel it to sit and wait for Christ’s coming; his prayer encourages people to keep living, loving, and caring for all. In this act of living and loving, discipleship will deepen.

Paul’s focus is not on what Christ has done, but on what Christ has been doing and Christ’s role in the future. In many ways, this is what Advent invites us to ponder. Advent is when we find ourselves on the journey to the manger as we remember and celebrate what God did for us through the life of Jesus. But Advent does not end at the manger. The Advent journey of reflection and remembering awakens us to be intentional to see what Christ is doing and will do among us.

Advent is a time for us to deepen our faith as we live, love, and care for all as Christ has for us. To hope is to live purposefully, knowing God’s love so we can love one another as living expressions of life as disciples.

On this first week of Advent, we invite the faith community to let hope be alive within people. Paul’s words of encouragement and prayer point us toward a future formed in God’s deep love for all. Love makes hope possible! Christ will come because love is at the heart of who Christ is and what Christ yearns for the whole creation to experience.

Central Ideas

  1. The Blessings of Community formed in Christ-like love can be the stimulus of hope coming alive in others.
  2. The Advent journey invites us to see what Christ is doing among us intentionally and as we live into the future with Christ.
  3. Paul’s words of encouragement and prayer point us toward a future formed in God’s deep love for all.
  4. Christ will come because love is at the heart of who Christ is.

Questions for the Speaker

  1. When has the faithfulness of your community blessed your life with joy? Celebrate those moments with the community.
  2. When have you experienced acts of love awakening the presence of hope in another and your life?
  3. How do you see Christ moving and working among the community during this Advent season?
  4. Even through life’s struggles, how can our effort to be faithful to Christ help us live with love and hope?

 

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Year C, Letters

First Sunday of Advent—Joy

1 Thessalonians 3:9–13

Communion

 

Gathering

Welcome

Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation for Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.

The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and is observed each Sunday until Christmas Day. An Advent wreath with four candles and one Christ candle in the center often is used to observe the weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each week until all are burning brightly on Christmas Day.

 

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Sower of seeds, you promise to feed your flock like a shepherd, to gather your lambs, to gently lead. In this time of Advent darkness, we sit in hope for the things to come. We gather in community to hear of your promises of peace and redemption. We hope that in the grand design of this time of rest for Earth that you will bring us peace.

God, open our eyes to the hope that you have for the world to be at peace. Help us to gather in those who feel no hope in this time, that they may find new life in you. Bring us all to a place of hope again. From that new sense of hope, allow us to go and proclaim peace, to be peace in our neighborhoods, to act for peace in the world at-large.

God, we hope for a time of peace again, we hope for the promises of your peace made real through Jesus again, we hope for a deeper connection with you again. Grant us the peace to hope again. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Journaling—Pregnant Waiting

Materials:

  • Advent wreath or a ring for four candles and one white candle in the center
  • paper and pens or pencils

 

Light the first candle of Advent and say:

Today we light the first candle of Advent. This candle symbolizes hope in new life. May we have hope in that new life, which is coming forth in us.

Read the following:

The liturgical year begins with a pregnant woman waiting for the birth of her child. Was Mary tired? Was she worn out the last few weeks before the birth? Was she just hoping to get it over with? Much waiting has to be done before a child is born. In both pregnancy and the spiritual life, waiting can be tiring, frustrating, and worrisome. Advent is about the journey to the birth of Jesus. It’s a time to pause, to wait, to reflect on what things are being birthed within us.

Pass out papers and pens and ask:

What new thing is God doing within you and around you to bring hope to the world?

Give the group five minutes to journal and then invite people to share thoughts and feelings that surfaced during this spiritual practice.

 

Sharing Around the Table

1 Thessalonians 3:9–13 NRSVue

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

A central message in Paul’s letter to the new church community in Thessalonica is to encourage it. These people are experiencing cultural challenges and persecution as they try to live and share in love and faith. Through their witness, Paul finds strength and hope that fills him with joy. Though Paul no longer lived with them, he felt the blessings of this small community.

As Paul expresses his love and joy for this community, he shares a moment of blessing with the people. Paul’s prayer reminds them that the strength they experience increases as they grow in love for one another, just as they experienced Paul’s love for them. In his prayer, Paul invites them to widen the circle and to see the Worth of All Persons.

Paul also calls them to remember that Jesus strengthens their hearts as they continue to live faithfully with an attitude of holiness and prepare for Christ’s return. Paul’s prayer does not counsel the community to simply sit and wait. His prayer encourages people to keep living, loving, and caring for all. In this act of living and loving, their discipleship will deepen.

Advent is when we find ourselves on the journey to the manger as we remember and celebrate God’s gift of love in the life of Jesus. But Advent does not end at the manger. The Advent journey of reflection and remembering awakens us to be intentional to see what Christ is doing and will do among us. Advent is a time for us to deepen our faith as we live, love, and care for all as Christ has for us. In this first week of Advent, you are invited to let Paul’s words of encouragement live in you.

Questions

  1. When has someone offered encouraging words to you? How did that feel?
  2. How are you living, loving, and caring for others this Advent season?
  3. How can you encourage others with words of hope and acts of love?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

The offering prayer for Advent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.

God who is faithful, be present with us as we plan our spending. May we use our resources in ways that build healthy, happy relationships with you, with others, and with Earth. May we remember the teachings of Jesus that challenge us to make lifestyle choices that are counter to our culture of accumulation and excess. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 398, “Hope Is a Light”

 

Closing Prayer

 

Optional Additions Depending on Group

  • Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
  • Thoughts for Children

 

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

—1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSVue

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community.

In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings (choose from below options):

  • 516, “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”
  • 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together”
  • 523, “As We Gather at Your Table”
  • 526, “Is There One Who Feels Unworthy?”
  • 528, “Eat This Bread”
  • 532, “We Meet as Friends at Table”

 

Thoughts for Children

This activity continues throughout Advent.

Materials

  • Evergreens branches (or other local flora). You can choose to have participants collect these from outside* your meeting location as part of the gathering, or you can collect them beforehand. It is OK to use fake plants, but real are best.

For Advent this year, you will need a place where your Advent spiral can stay each week. You can leave it where it is after every gathering or store it somewhere safe and rebuild it before your gathering each week.

Say: Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting, but it also is a journey toward Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year, as we journey through Advent, we will create an Advent spiral. Each week we will add something to our spiral, so it will grow as we get closer to Christmas.

This week, we are going to begin by building our spiral. Our spiral will need to be large enough that we can walk through it. Say either…

  1. I have brought some greenery that we can use to make a spiral shape on the floor.
  2. We are going to go outside and look for some green branches.

The reason we are collecting greenery is because it reminds us that even in the cold of the winter there is still life and joy!

Help participants use the collected branches to create a spiral shape on the floor. Thank them for their help and invite them back the following week to see what we will add to our spiral.

* If you choose this option, help participants respect plant and animal life by finding branches already on the ground or near falling off.


Older Post Newer Post