Advent 4: Peace
On the road to revelation – encounter mystery
ORDER OF SERVICE
Centering chimes 
Lighting of the solidarity lamp
–Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with El Divino Redentor
Prelude – Fling wide the door, unbar the gate
Call to worship (Based on Romans 16: 25-27)
Leader: God can strengthen you with the good news about Jesus Christ.
People: May the glory be to God, who alone is wise!
Leader: This good news has been kept a secret for a long time, but now is revealed through what the prophets wrote.
People: May the glory be to God, who alone is wise!
Leader: And now this secret is made know to all people, that they may be obedient to the commands of God.
All: May the glory be to God, who alone is wise!
Black songbook #15 – Upon this path
Lighting the Advent Candles – Horst Lehman family
Welcome & prayer
Virtual Passing the Peace (break-out groups)
Hymn from new hymnal sampler – Come, thou long expected Jesus
Advent Poetry & Art (links to words and visual included)
– Poem: Annunciation by Denise Levertov; read by Rachel Horst Lehman
– Art: Annunciation by He Qi and The Annunciation by Angel Zarraga
Children’s story
– Song “Let the children come to me”
– The Children’s Fall/Winter offering benefits Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) as it celebrates its centennial year in 2020. All households are invited to set out a basket and gather an offering weekly. Donations may be sent to the FMC office at any time or can be made online (select children’s offering in “To” box)
Scripture – Romans 16:25-27 & Luke 1:26-38
Sermon
Hymn from new hymnal sampler – Unexpected and mysterious
Congregational sharing & prayer
Meditative music – Las Posadas
– In the absence of a weekly offering collection, reflect on how you are practicing and receiving generosity. Consider giving to First Mennonite Church by mailing a check, giving through your bank, or giving online.
Work of the church
Sending hymn – The Virgin Mary had a baby boy (Hymnal #202)
Benediction
Worship Leader – Pastor Michael
Sermon & sharing – Pastor Deb
Prelude – Pam Pena Martin & Mary Krick
Meditation – Pam Pena Martin, Liesl Schrag & Pete Shungu
Hymns – Cindy Breeze
Call to worship – Paula Giron Rivera
Advent Candle Lighting – Horst Lehman family
Advent Poetry & Art Movie – Shawn Rodriguez
Children’s Storyteller – Janet Liechty
Scripture – Laura Brenneman-Fullwood