WORSHIP SERVICES

God heard… God remembered… God saw… God took notice…

ORDER OF SERVICE

Centering chimes

Lighting of the solidarity lamp
–Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with El Divino Redentor

Prelude – Steal away (traditional African American Spiritual)

Call to worship (based on Psalm 146)

CALL TO WORSHIP

Sisters and brothers, rejoice.

We live sustained by God’s presence and love.

Thanks be to God.

As we mourn the wounds of God’s children,

God weeps with us.

As we give thanks for brothers and sisters who have lived in faith,

God gives thanks with us.

As we struggle for justice,

God struggles with us.

As we strive for peace,

God strives with us.

As we work to build the beloved community,

God works with us.

As we offer our gifts to all,

God blesses us.

Sisters and brothers, rejoice.

Sustained by God’s presence and love, we worship God.

Black songbook #1 – Light dawns on a weary world

Welcome & prayer

Virtual Passing the Peace (break-out groups)

Green songbook #109 – There is more love somewhere

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 – Exodus 2

Special music – Medley from “Hidden in the Bulrushes: Miriam, Woman of God” written by Cindy Breeze & Pastor Deb (2004 FMC youth musical)

Sermon

Hymnal #372 – O healing river

Congregational sharing & prayer

Meditative music – We shall overcome
– 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

Hymnal #579 – Lift every voice and sing

Benediction

Prelude & Worship Leader – Pastor Deb
Hymns & special music – Cindy Breeze
Children’s Storyteller – Tammie Bouseman
Scripture – Bob King
Sermon & sharing – Pastor Michael
Meditation music – Pete Shungu

Theme: “Thank God for the midwives”

ORDER OF SERVICE

Centering chimes

Lighting of the solidarity lamp
–Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with El Divino Redentor

Prelude – Joyful, joyful, we adore thee by Beethoven (arr. Helvetic)

Call to worship (based on Psalm 146)

CALL TO WORSHIP

Come let us praise our God.
We will praise the Lord as long as we live.
We will sing praises to our God our whole life long.
Do not put your trust in worldly monarchs,in whom there is no help.
Happy are those whose help is in the God of Jacoband the God of Jesus,
Who made heaven and earth; who keeps faith forever;
who brings justice for the oppressed;who sets the prisoners free.
The lord will reign forever.
Let us together praise our God.

Hymnal #76 – Praise, I will praise you Lord

Welcome & prayer

Virtual Passing the Peace (break-out groups)

Purple songbook #124 – My soul cries out

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 – Exodus 1

Sermon

Hymnal #483 – O God who gives us life

Congregational sharing & prayer

Meditative music – A resting place (Norwegian melody) arr. Jay Rouse
– 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

Green songbook #49 – Rain down

Benediction

Prelude & Meditation music – Jan Kellogg
Worship leader – Pastor Deb
Hymns – Andrea Welty Peachey
Children’s Storyteller – Rebecca Bare
Scripture – Greg Sancken
Sermon & sharing – Pastor Michael

Epiphany: Light
On the road to radiance, follow the light

ORDER OF SERVICE

Note: In advance of communion today, please gather bread/cracker and juice at home for the virtual celebration.

Centering chimes  

Lighting of the solidarity lamp
–Symbolic of our Sister Church relationship with El Divino Redentor

Prelude – Come, light of the world

Call to worship (Based on Isaiah 60:1-6)

Leader: Arise! Shine! The light you have been waiting for is here!

People: Darkness has been banished!

Leader: God’s light of hope floods the earth

People: God’s light comes to us all.

Leader: Lord, make us ready to journey to this Light.

All: Prepare our hearts to receive this Light. Amen.

Purple songbook #30 – Arise, your light is come!

Lighting the Advent Candles – Kuo family

Welcome & prayer

Virtual Passing the Peace (break-out groups)

Hymnal sampler #11 – See whose glory fills the skies

Advent Poetry & Art (links to words and visual included)
– Poem: December 24, 1971 by Joseph Brodsky, read by Matt Yoder
– Art: Three Kings (3) by Hanna-Cheriyan Varghese and Come to the Savior by Wisnu Sasongko

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 – Isaiah 60:1-6 & Matthew 2:1-12

Sermon

Purple songbook #32 – Oh, beautiful star of Bethlehem

Communion
– Gather bread/cracker and juice at home for the virtual celebration

Congregational sharing & prayer

Meditative music – Greensleeves
– 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

Hymn #195 – It came upon a midnight clear

Benediction

Prelude & Meditation – Pam Pena Martin & Pete Shungu
Call to worship – Emily & Jonathan Gibson
Hymns – Rafael Luquis
Advent Candle Lighting – Kuo family
Worship Leader – Pastor Michael
Children’s Storyteller – Lynne Sancken
Scripture – Bruce Miller
Advent Poetry & Art Movie – Shawn Rodriguez
Sermon & sharing – Pastor Deb