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
“Celebrate Love”
#2073 TFWS
Welcome
Threshold Moment
P:As we have ventured "beyond the lullaby" to unpack the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, we have encountered a continuing human saga–one in which lullaby is met with lament for all that is not right with this world. But as we prepare for the celebration of the birth soon upon us, we are reminded that what also endures in the human story is the presence of hope beyond hopelessness, peace beyond understanding, and joy beyond despair. This is all made possible through the steadfast love of God-with-us. This week in our Advent series of asking and answering the complex question "What Child IS This?", we encounter another description of the Christ Child that will tell us much more about who he was destined to be.
[the candle-lighters/readers come forward to the nativity scene/Advent candles as we sing]
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
P:When we hear "let loving hearts enthrone him" in our theme carol, we are encountering the "essence of the message." Love is at the heart of this beloved story of the birth of Christ. It is love that is the true definition of "kingdom," of "kinship." No one exemplifies this more than Joseph's love for Mary and for the child. He is the protector of Love; he is hospitality incarnated. Not only the very life of Jesus was in his hands, but his own character and sacrifice were influential in the way that Jesus went on to live his life and center, "love for all," as his message.
Reader 1:We light this candle of Love for those who need it most.
Reader 2:For all who feel they are on the outskirts of love.
Reader 1:For all who know the loss of a love.
Reader 2:For all who are rejected because of who they are.
Reader 1:Our question for today at the scene of the nativity is this: "How will we make sacrificial love our aim in our time?"
Reader 2:What child IS this? This, this, is the babe who was swaddled in love and wraps us all in love forever.
P:Please rise as we sing the refrain.
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 a steadfast love that casts out fear. Open us to new understandings of the unfolding story of your presence among us. Show us how to be with and for one another in ways that add to the flourishing of all creation. We pray in the name of the Child, the Love Enthroned 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
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
L: The story of Joseph is told most clearly in the Gospel according to Matthew. Today we join the story in Mathew 1:18-25 as Joseph must decide what to do when Mary becomes pregnant. In the book, The First Advent in Palestine, author Kelley Nikondeha says this: "Joseph entered into her disgrace… They shouldered the shame together… God had invited him into the heart of the divine deliverance operation—along with its social stigma. Indeed, following the unborn Christ already had consequences." Hear now the beginning of the story of Jesus' saving love.
This is how the birth of Jesus came about. When Jesus' mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, an upright person unwilling to disgrace her, decided to divorce her quietly. This was Joseph's intention when suddenly the angel of God appeared in a dream and said, "Joseph, heir to the House of David, don't be afraid to wed Mary; it is by the Holy Spirit that she has conceived this child. She is to have a son, and you are to name him Jesus—'Salvation'—because he will save the people from their sins." All this happened to fulfill what God has said through the prophet:
"The virgin will be with child and give birth, and the child will be named 'Immanuel' —a name that means 'God is with us.'"
When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of God had directed, and they went ahead with the marriage. He did not have intercourse with her until she had given birth; she had a son, and they named him Jesus.
Carol
“Love Came Down at Christmas”
#242 TFWS
Message
“Enthroned by Love”
Rev. Dr. Michele Robbins
Offertory
“**Bridge Over Troubled Water**”
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
P:As we prepare to go into the world, let us ask and answer the question we came with. What child IS this?
All:This is the one surrounded by sacrificial love.
P:What child IS this?
All:This is the one who would go on to great sacrifice in the name of love.
P:What child IS this?
All:This, this is the one "Enthroned by Love" who invites us into more love than we thought was possible.
Getting Strong
“Love Has Come”
#3059 W&S
Opportunities for Ministry
- ⤷Volunteer Opportunity: Help pick up food for distribution on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. This helps free up Pastor Michele to concentrate on clergy work. Please prayerfully consider connecting with Pastor Michele if interested.
- ⤷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.
- ⤷Mendo Labor Co-op: Our church sponsors a worker-led co-op connecting underemployed and unhoused workers with people needing help around the house or yard. We need church members willing to hire workers with patience as we get started and work out the kinks. Call/text Cheryl at (369) 216-1512 to be matched. mendolaborcoop.ukiahumc.org
- •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
All:May our Gracious God, the Child of Love, the Spirit of Resistance to Injustice be with you now and as you go, sharing God's love all along The Way. Amen.
*Stepping Out
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.