Table of Contents
The words in black bold are spoken or sung by the congregation. Please, no food or beverages are allowed in the Sanctuary. * Indicates when to rise in body or spirit.
UMH--United Methodist (Blue), TFWS--The Faith We Sing (Black), W&S--Worship & Song (Green)
Prelude
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
#195 UMH
Welcome
Threshold Moment
P:In 1865, William Chatterton Dix penned a poem that would become the beloved Christmas-time favorite, "What Child is This?" This year for Advent and Christmas, we will be prompted by this carol to ask deeper questions of Jesus' identity, "what child IS this?" When we look beyond the lullaby, what we discover is that the answers are much more complicated than the lilting lullaby tune conveys. The time of Jesus' birth was fraught with difficulties. This is the scene into which Jesus was born. We are called, as his disciples, to enter the scene in the midst of our own complicated and difficult time in history, offering Hope as the Christ Child did.
P:[the candle-lighters/readers come forward to the nativity scene/Advent candles as we sing]
P:What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
P:The nature of humanity seems to point to the need for a "savior," especially when we feel things are out of control. People in the time of Jesus' birth were no different. They hoped for a new reality of communal wellbeing in the midst of corruption and violence. Peace only existed by definition of the empire. The collaboration of religious and state authorities for the sake of the rich and the demise of the poor was a hard reality for most.
Reader 1:We light this candle of Hope for those who need it most.
Reader 2:For all who search for a place to belong.
Reader 1:For all who are frightened by imposing forces.
Reader 2:For all whose future seems uncertain.
Reader 1:Our question for today at the scene of the nativity is this: "For what do we hope in our time that will be 'good news for ALL people?'"
Reader 2:What child IS this? This, this, is Christ the King who reigns with hope forever.
P:Please rise as we sing the refrain.
P:This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
Opening Prayer
All:Here, at the nativity of your birth, give us the courage to face this moment with humility and hope. Open us to new understandings of the unfolding story of your presence among us. Show us the true meaning of the kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. We pray in the name of the Child, the One Who Reigns in our hearts and lives. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Pastor:The Peace of Christ be with you.
All:And also with you.
Pastor:You are invited to pass the peace among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely.
Praising
“We will Glorify the King of Kings”
#2087 TFWS
Young & Young at Heart Time
COMMUNITY PRAYER ~ THE LORD'S PRAYER
(Spoken)
Our Mother, Father
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day
Our daily bread
And forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever
Amen
Ancient Readings
Lamentations 3:46-57
L: We begin today with a scripture from the Hebrew Bible, Lamentations 3:46-57. In the book, The First Advent in Palestine, author Kelley Nikondeha says this, "…grief work is the seedbed for Advent hope. We cannot grasp the fullness of the Advent narratives to come without attending to the brokenness of our world. Lament is how we name and honor what has been lost or taken from us by one empire or another." This lament comes from the time of Babylonian exile.
"Our enemies laugh at us with open mouths. The snare and pit of the hunter lie ahead of us— devastation and ruin! Rivers of water run from my eyes because my people are destroyed. Tears flow continuously from my eyes, refusing all comfort— all of this while YHWH watches from the heavens. My spirit is grieved as I see the fate of children in my city. Those who became my enemies without provocation chased and harangued me like a bird."
Luke 2:1-5
L: Our second reading is from Luke 2:1-5. It places us in the scene before the arrival of the Holy Family, when the manger in Bethlehem was simply serving as a place for the animals' feed.
"In those days, Caesar Augustus published a decree ordering a census of the whole Roman world. This first census took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All the people were instructed to go back to the towns of their birth to register. And so Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to "the city of David"—Bethlehem, in Judea, because Joseph was of the house and lineage of David; he went to register with Mary, his espoused wife, who was pregnant."
Carol
“People Look East”
#202 UMH
Message
“King of Kings”
Dr. Rev Michele Robbins
Offertory
“He Shall Reign Forevermore”
Offerings can be placed in the basket on the table, online at ukiahumc.org, or mailed to PO Box 323, Ukiah
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God for these gifts that we offer today
and bless them for good in the world, this we pray.
Praise Jesus, the Christ-Child, our Hope and our Stay,
the Spirit, our Keeper, our Guide on the Way.
*We Ask, We Answer
L:As we prepare to go into the world, let us ask and answer the question we came with.
L:What child IS this?
All:This is the one born into a time when hope was hard.
L:What child IS this?
All:This is the one whose lowly status would send a message of hope that alleviation of oppression is a holy endeavor.
L:What child IS this?
All:This, this is the "King of Kings" who shows us the way of true hope for all people.
Getting Strong
“King of Kings”
#2075 TFWS
Opportunities for Ministry
- ⤷Opportunities where you make a difference: A strong church has members who are actively taking part in ministry and service.•Children's Christmas Craft's Fair is December 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a time when children are invited to the church to make holiday gifts for their family and friends. It takes a bunch of elf volunteers to help the children and the elves often report having as much fun as the children. Even after 46 years, we have some brand new craft projects, along with some old favorites. Please let Jone, Marti, or Vivian know if you are available to help that day between 10:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.•Some activities where laity can take on responsibilities and free up more time for Pastor Michele to concentrate on her clergy roles. Here is a list with what has been identified by our Staff Parish Relations Committee: Picking up Food for Food Distribution at 10:00 a.m. on Fridays. Please prayerfully consider if your gifts can be used, and connect with Pastor Michele.
- ⤷Pledge: Thank you to everyone who has returned their pledge card. It's not too late if you have not been able to turn one in yet. You can put it in the offering basket, mail it to the office, or email it to Debbie at office@ukiahumc.org.
- •Recycling: Annie is collecting CRV bottles & cans, to benefit Ukiah UMC. So far this year $5,515.81 has been raised through CRV recycling! Text or call Annie 707-513-9634 for pickups and more information.
- •The Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center: If you would like to donate to Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center, below is a list of needed items. All donations can be dropped at HRC M-F, 9-5 or to Trudy's front porch at any time. Thank you to everyone who donates! - Trudy•Items needed are: Toilet paper, Paper towels, Cups, Plates, Bowls, Laundry soap, Towels, Blankets, Sleeping bags, Tarps, Ponchos, Emergency blankets, Adult: boots, socks, jackets, sweatshirts, Cold & Flu meds, Ziplock bags, Tooth paste, Body soap, PENS!
Go For It!
South:Do all the good you can,
North:By all the means you can,
South:In all the ways you can,
North:In all the places you can,
South:At all the times you can,
North:To all the people you can,
All:As long as ever you can. Amen.
— John Wesley
Blessing
*May the Sovereign of All, the Child of Hope, the Spirit of Resistance to Injustice be with you now and as you go. Amen.*
*STEPPING OUT
“Unwritten”
Natashia Benningfield
WE ARE A WELCOMING & AFFIRMING CONGREGATION:
We welcome all persons into full participation in the life of the congregation regardless of age, gender identity, racial or ethnic background, sexual orientation, marriage status, or physical or mental condition.