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
“O Come All Ye Faithful v. 1, 3, & 4”
#234 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 have been prompted by this carol to ask deeper questions of Jesus' identity, "what child IS this?" When we look beyond the lullaby and behind the scenes, 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, Peace, Joy, and Love as the Christ Child did.
[the candle-lighters/readers come forward to the nativity scene/Advent candles as we sing]
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:God so loved the world that God became us in order to know us, to love us, even more deeply. Not just the cross at the end of Jesus' life, but the difficulty of the time of Christ's birth can show us the reality of "God-with-us" no matter what. This is a theme from our faith story that can open our hearts to see our own place in the narrative of history. No matter how afraid we are, the Babe "whom shepherds guard and angels sing" lives within us waiting to grow into Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love incarnate.
Reader 1:We light these candles for those who need it most.
[light each candle with each line, including the white Christ Candle]
Reader 2:For all who need more Hope.
Reader 1:For all who yearn for Peace.
Reader 2:For all whose Joy lays dormant.
Reader 1:For all who need the salve of Love.
Reader 2:For all who need this Child of Possibility.
Reader 1:Our question for this night at the scene of the nativity is this: "How do the messages of this child reverberate into our time, our lives, our world?"
Reader 2:What child IS this? This, this, is Christ the King who reigns with hope, peace, joy, and 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 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
“Joy to the World”
#246 UMH
Young & Young at Heart Time
“Away in the Manger v.3”
#217 UMH
We Hear the Story
Carol
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
#230 UMH
The Inn Keeper
Joseph
Special Music
Gloria — Vivaldi
Mary
The Shepherd
Carol
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
#238 UMH
The Angel
The Wise Ones
Reflection
Rev. Dr. Michele Robbins
Offertory
“Light of the World”
Lauren Daigle
Offerings can be placed in the plate on the table, online at ukiahumc.org, or mailed to PO Box 323, Ukiah
*Doxology
(to the tune of Away in a Manger)
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 born into a time when hope was hard.
P:What child IS this?
All:This is the one whose lowly status would send a message of peace with justice.
P:What child IS this?
All:This is the one who promises us joy even when life is difficult.
P:What child IS this?
All:This is the "King of Kings" who shows us the way of true love for all people.
P:What child IS this?
All:This, this, is the babe whose Light spreads through our lives to others and to the world.
Carol
“Good Christian Friends Rejoice”
#224 UMH
Candle Lighting Instructions
“Silent Night”
#239 UMH
Blessing
All:May the Womb of Life, the Child of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, the Spirit of Resistance to Injustice be with you now and as you go. Amen.
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.