PRELUDE/ENTRANCE
GREETING/ANNOUNCEMENTS
*OPENING SONG
“We Gather Together” UMH 131
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Liturgist: In the days to come the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hill; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say:
All: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that God may teach us God's ways and that we may walk in God's paths."— Isaiah 2:2-3 alt.
Liturgist: With what shall we come to God's house?
Leader: Bring branches of cedar and holly, bring evergreens and a pine tree, hang wreaths and garlands.
All: Make the church fragrant with the smell of living things and our holy play. In acts of hanging greens and listening to the words of prophets and seers let us make our hearts and this space a place of inward and outward preparation for the One who comes to give us second birth.
OPENING PRAYER
Good Lord, by your mercy guide our outward actions in such ways that our inward being is formed in faith, hope, and love. May the decorations we offer engage our senses during the days of Advent and enliven our praise and worship, in the name of the child of Bethlehem, our risen and coming savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
SHARING GOD’S PEACE
JOYS AND CONCERNS
THE LORD’S PRAYER
PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE
A TIME FOR CHILDREN
HANGING OF THE GREENS
Wreaths
“Prepare the Way of the Lord” UMH 207
Greens
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” UMH 196
Christmas Trees and Lights
“This Little Light of Mine” UMH 585
Nativity
“Away in a Manger” UMH 217
*DOXOLOGY UMH 95
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
SENDING FORTH
*SONG OF DISMISSAL
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" UMH 211
*BENEDICTION
*PEACE
"God Be with You till We Meet Again” UMH 672
Verse 1
*Please stand as you are able