8 December 2024

WORSHIP RESOURCES

Second Sunday of Advent (Love)

Philippians 1:3–11

Love Overflows

 

Additional Scriptures

Malachi 3:1-4; Luke 1:68-79; Luke 3:1-6

 

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 “love.”

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

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

Plan to read from Kneeling in Bethlehem, by Ann Weems, The Westminster Press, copyright 1980/1983/1987 ISBN 978-0-664-22888-0.

Plan to read The Examen Book, by Paul Mitchell, illustrated by Katie Broussard; Loyola Press, copyright 2022. ISBN 978-0-8294-5127-6.

 

Praise

Prelude

Gathering with Carols of the Season              Choose one or two.

“like a child"  CCS 403

“God’s Love Made Visible" CCS 411

“What Child Is This" CCS 432

"People Look East" CCS 395

OR

Sing carols that have been previously suggested by participants. 

Call to Worship: Luke 1:68-79

Welcome

Today is the second Sunday of Advent. We celebrate the love of God for us and our love for one another.

Focus Moment

Read, “God So Loved the World,” from Kneeling in Bethlehem, by Ann Weems.

OR

             “Making Room for Jesus”                 Verse 1

            A weary hand knocks on the door of an inn,

                        and there is no room!

            No room, God of Love, for love to be born.

            Oh, how we need your gift of love!

            Love of neighbor, love of enemy, love of self.

            Healthy love, holistic love.

            Healing love that melts the ice of alienation,

                        that warms each heart with the wonder of acceptance

                        for every child that love has birthed.

            Surely there is room for love!

            Love that seeks and saves. Love without strings.

            Love for love’s own sake

uncaused, uncalculated, unrequiring.

—Danny Belrose in Wave Offerings, Herald House 2005.
Used with permission.

 

Lighting of the Advent Candles

Advent is a season in the Christian calendar that marks the four Sundays before Christmas. In Latin, Advent means “coming” and 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 love.     Light candle.

Love is a gift our hearts can give. We are challenged to see the worth of all persons and to love others the way God loves us, unceasingly and unconditionally.

 

Hymn Response

“Hope Is a Light”  Stanza 4      CCS 398

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “love” and teach this to the children so they can accompany the participants during this hymn, with the sign for “love” when this word is sung. The sign for "love" is made by crossing both hands over the middle of your chest.

Confession

Spiritual Practice: Prayer of Examen

To help children understand this practice, read The Examen Book.

The Prayer of Examen is a prayer form developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It is often prayed at the end of the day but might be used at any time to review the day with God. The intent is to recognize where we need forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and recommitment.

Scripture Reading: Luke 3:1-6

John the Baptist reminds us to prepare for Jesus. Advent is a season of preparation, a time to examine ourselves and our world. John the Baptist challenges us to examine our lives, our values, and our priorities as we prepare the way of the Lord.

Lead your group through this prayer, line by line. Take your time, inviting them to pray and meditate on each statement.

Thank you, God, for the gifts of life and this day.

Allow us to see the day as we have lived it and the light of your love.

Let us reflect on the events, interactions, and emotions of this season of Advent.

Give us insight into the ways our responses have been loving.

Give us insight into the ways our responses may have been insensitive, unloving, or damaging to others, creation, or ourselves.

May we find in your grace and mercy... forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and release.

God, we give our tomorrow to you. May you be present in our thoughts, actions, and relationships as we move on to live a new day in the loving presence of Jesus.

Amen.

Hymn of Reflection

"Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming" CCS 437

OR “Listen in the Silence"    Sing three times.  CCS 153

OR “Come and Find the Quiet Center”   CCS 151           

Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:3-11

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle.

Peace Prayer

Great Shepherd,

You faithfully lead and guide us each day, yet we still feel like voices crying out in the wilderness. You have blessed us with abundant love, yet we struggle to feel that abundance. God, as we look at the world today, we recognize that there are many who do not feel your love—who do not feel the love of their friends and families who may not be around to support them, who struggle with loss and division and join our voices calling out for a sign of your love.

God, grant us peace. Grant us peace that settles our weary hearts so that we can love again. Grant us peace that allows us to love unconditionally so that others might recognize your light in our lives. By sharing the light of your love in our lives we believe that we can become peacemakers for those around us. Bless us with your love during Advent. Amen.       

—Tiffany and Caleb Brian

Proclamation of the Word

Message

            Based on Philippians 1:3-11

 

Hymn of Advent Love

“Tomorrow Christ Is Coming”  CCS 406

OR “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”  CCS 27

Commitment

Disciples’ Generous Response

            Story

Share a summary of “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry.

This short story tells the story of a young couple, Jim and Della, who are struggling financially. On Christmas Eve, Jim and Della want to give each other a special gift. Della has been saving money to buy Jim a chain for his prized pocket watch, while Jim has been saving money to buy Della a set of combs for her beautiful hair. However, both must sell their most prized possessions to afford the gifts. Della sells her hair to buy the chain, while Jim sells his watch to buy the combs. On Christmas Eve, they exchange their gifts and realize what each other has done. They realize that their love for each other is more important than any material possession. The story ends with the narrator comparing Jim and Della’s sacrificial love to that of the Magi, who brought gifts to baby Jesus on the first Christmas Eve.

Statement

If we give gifts to show our love, how much more does God enjoy giving gifts to us? “Seeing and receiving the grace of God’s incredible generosity is like letting the sun rise in our lives; it brings a new beginning for a new day and sends life-giving light into our lives.

The marvel of God’s generosity is not just its abundance. It always is given freely without considering the merit of those who receive it. Generosity freely given and abundantly expressed always is endless in its beauty and power. Through God’s grace and mercy, our acts of abundant generosity provide a banquet of love for the delight and lives of those who receive it.

Receiving and appreciating God’s generosity might begin with attempting to count, tabulate, and collect data. But it never ends there. Not only is God’s generosity beyond measure, it has less to do with how much it is and everything to do with what it reveals and what it does.

The abundance of God’s generosity is all about receiving what is endless and eternal. It brings life and light, not numbers. True generosity is not a matter of measurement but of its effect and what it transmits. God’s generosity conveys eternal life, which makes us rich beyond measure.”

—Pathway to Abundant Generosity: An Invitation to a Whole-life Journey of Abundant Generosity, pp. 7–8

 

During Advent, we are reminded of God’s abundant generosity in the gift of his son. 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 Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Closing Hymn

“On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry” CCS 391

OR “like a child”  CCS 403

Benediction

Sending Forth: Responsive Reading

Leader:            God’s love made visible! Incomprehensible! He is invincible!

People:           His love shall reign!
Leader:            From love so bountiful, blessings uncountable make death                                      surmountable!

People:           His love shall reign!
Leader:            Joyfully pray for peace and good will! All of our yearning he will                               fulfill.

People:           Live in a loving way! Praise him for every day!
Leader:            Open your hearts and pray!

All:                  His love shall reign!

—Iola Brubeck, “God’s Love Made Visible!”

CCS 411, stanza 1.

Postlude

 

.

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Year C—Letters

Second Sunday of Advent

Philippians 1:3–11

 

Exploring the Scripture

The warmth of friendship in sacred community is obvious throughout Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. The verses in this introduction express gratitude and affection for the community. It is the longest introduction of Paul’s letters, which suggests a particular fondness for the Philippian church.

The introduction sets up the themes of the letter. Those themes include Paul’s suffering, Christ-like love, and servanthood. He also discusses his supportive relationship with the community and his wish for unity and right relations among the people. The letter closes with a pastoral prayer of intercession for the spiritual well-being of this beloved community in preparation for Christ’s return.

The inbreaking of God’s love through Jesus’s birth is a memory that points to a hope-filled future. Thus, Paul’s admonition to prepare speaks to disciples readying for what God is birthing in this season of Advent.

In his greeting and introduction, Paul expresses grace and gratitude. In Greek, these words have similar roots (grace—charis; gratitude—“I give thanks”—eucharisto). Paul sometimes uses them interchangeably in his writings. His imprisonment deepens his gratitude for and longing to be with his cherished companions in gospel witness. Paul expresses joy and gratitude for their sharing in the gospel, for it goes beyond common belief or practice. Doing such is of mutual love and support and oneness in a Christ-centered community.

Paul’s wish is for the community to address whatever threatens its unity and to grow in love and wisdom toward greater oneness. As God began the good work of grace among them, Paul encouraged them to continue this good work by loving one another and growing in knowledge. His wish is for them to experience with one another the love and support they have shown him. His wish is also for them to grow in right relationships with God and one another, embodying the morals of Christ’s peace. Paul’s prayer is that the love of God and one another will lead to greater insight and wisdom as they discern what matters most in their relational ministry and mission.

Righteousness is a common theme for Paul, including God’s justice and salvific work in Christ. Paul’s understanding is that Christ’s return is imminent. The spiritual condition of the community is of prime importance in its preparation for this day of Christ’s return. An understanding of righteousness and Christ’s return has evolved over the centuries. It may be understood better as a spiritual condition of right relationships with God, others, and the natural world.

God’s salvific work in Christ finds new life and expression as disciples and communities engage in personal, relational, societal, and environmental salvation.

Theologian and mystic Thomas Merton wrote, “The mystery of Advent is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ.” Such is the Advent preparation that mirrors Paul’s wish for the Philippian church. It is an invitation to fully embody Christ Jesus, the peaceful One, and his mission. It is not for earning God’s grace at some future time, but for bringing forth God’s purposes.

The unity Paul wishes for the Philippian community finds new expression in Doctrine and Covenants 165:3e:

Oneness and equality in Christ do not mean uniformity. They mean Unity in Diversity and relating in Christ-like love to the circumstances of others as if they were one’s own. They also mean full opportunity for people to experience human worth and related rights, including expressing God-given giftedness in the church and society.

The heart of our Advent preparation is active love embodied in inclusive, Christ-centered communities pursuing justice and peace on and for Earth.

Central Ideas

  1. Paul’s joy and gratitude for sharing the gospel with the Philippian church are more than common belief or practice; they are of mutual love, support, and oneness in a Christ-centered community.
  2. Paul’s hope and prayer is that the love of God and one another will lead to greater insight and wisdom in discerning what matters most in their relational ministry and mission.
  3. The heart of our Advent preparation is active love embodied in inclusive, Christ-centered communities pursuing justice and peace on and for Earth.

Questions for the Speaker

  1. What would you include in the introduction of a letter to the community with whom you are sharing?
  2. How does Paul’s counsel speak to the circumstances of your faith community?
  3. What is the Holy Spirit’s invitation to disciples and their communities this Advent season?

 

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Year C, Letters

Second Sunday of Advent—Love

Philippians 1:3–11

 

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.

Great Shepherd, you faithfully lead and guide us each day, yet we still feel like voices crying in the wilderness. You have blessed us with an abundance of love, yet we struggle to feel that abundance. God, as we look about the world today, we recognize many who do not feel your love. Who do not feel the love of their friends and families to support them. Who struggle with loss and division and join our voices calling for a sign of your love.

God, grant us peace. Grant us peace that settles our weary hearts, so we can love again. Grant us peace that allows us to love unconditionally, so others may recognize your light in our lives. By sharing the light of your love in our lives we believe that we can become peacemakers for those around us. Bless us with your love during this season of Advent. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Journaling—Pregnant Writing

Materials:

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

Light the second candle of Advent and say:

Today we light the second candle of Advent. This candle represents love. May the lighting of this candle remind us to share our light and love with the world.

Read the following to the group:

Throughout this Advent season we have been contemplating how pregnancy and labor are metaphors for forming and birthing new life on our spiritual journey. This new life brings love without boundaries. A love that reaches beyond those who look, act, or think like us and calls us to open our arms wide to all. This is the love of Christ entering the world. A love that is unrestricted, unbounded, and unrelenting. This is Advent: new birth and the coming of God’s mercy and love.

Pass out papers and pens and ask the following questions:

  1. How do you see Christ being born in the world today, and how are you part of that birth?
  2. How can you be more intentional in your love for others?

Give the group five minutes to journal and then invite members to share their thoughts and feelings.

 

Sharing Around the Table

Philippians 1:3–11 NRSVue

I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, for all of you are my partners in God’s grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the tender affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what really matters, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

The warmth of friendship in sacred community is obvious throughout Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. The verses in this introduction express gratitude and affection for the community. It is the longest introduction of Paul’s letters, which suggests a particular fondness for the Philippian church. He discusses his supportive relationship with the community and his wish for unity and right relations among them.

The letter closes with a pastoral prayer of intercession for the spiritual well-being of this beloved community in preparation for Christ’s return. The inbreaking of God’s love through Jesus’s birth is a memory that points to a hope-filled future. Thus, Paul’s admonition to prepare speaks to disciples preparing for what God is birthing in this season of Advent.

Paul’s imprisonment deepens his gratitude for and longing to be with his cherished companions in gospel witness. Paul expresses joy and gratitude for their sharing in the gospel. Doing such is of mutual love, support, and oneness in a Christ-centered community. Paul’s wish is for the community to address whatever threatens its unity and to grow in love and wisdom toward greater oneness.

As God began the good work of grace among them, Paul encouraged them to continue this good work by loving one another and growing in knowledge. His wish is for them to experience with one another the love and support they have shown him. His wish is also for them to grow in right relationships with God and one another.

Paul’s understanding is that Christ’s return is imminent. The spiritual condition of the community is of prime importance in its preparation for Christ’s return. An understanding of righteousness and Christ’s return has evolved over the centuries. It may be better understood as a spiritual condition of right relationships with God, others, and the natural world.

The unity Paul wishes for the Philippian community finds new expression in Doctrine and Covenants 165:3e:

Oneness and equality in Christ do not mean uniformity. They mean Unity in Diversity and relating in Christ-like love to the circumstances of others as if they were one’s own. They also mean full opportunity to experience human worth and related rights, including expressing God-given giftedness in the church and society.

The heart of our Advent preparation is active love embodied in inclusive, Christ-centered communities pursuing justice and peace on and for Earth.

 

Questions

  1. What would you include in the introduction of a letter to a similar person, family, or group?
  2. How do you understand Unity in Diversity?
  3. What is the Holy Spirit’s invitation to believers and friends this Advent season?

 

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 403, “like a child”

 

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

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

 


 

Thoughts for Children

This activity will continue throughout Advent.

You will need:

  • Evergreen branches in a spiral shape with items of peace scattered throughout (created last week)
  • A collection of items that might represent love in some way. You can collect these before the gathering or find them outside.*

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 second Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting, but it is also 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.

Last week we created our spiral and thought about the joy found in nature and the coming birth of Jesus.

This week, we are going to add to our spiral. (Say either…)

  • I have brought some items that remind me of love in different ways.
  • We are going to go outside and look for things in nature that help us feel love.*

Choose one thing that makes you feel love, so we can add it to our spiral. At Christmas we experience the love of Jesus, which is unconditional and without end. Jesus came to remind us that love is for everyone and doesn’t need to be earned.

Help participants pick an item that reminds them of love and then find a spot within the spiral to lay it on an evergreen. 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 things that are already on the ground or near falling off.


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