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Hanging of the Greens Reader's Script November 27, 2005 the Spirit Of Hanging of the Greens Reader’s Script November 27, 2005 WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Debra PRELUDE The Spirit of Hope NARRATION Debra: How often have we heard people say, “I haven’t got the Christmas spirit yet,” or “I just can’t seem to get the Christmas spirit this year”? It takes a while – some years longer than others. But eventually, as we hear the carols, see the tinseled trees, and taste the cookies, we begin to recapture the feelings of a family Christmas and the spirit returns Duncan: As Christians we look for something more in Christmas than the tangible and material things: something deeper and more significant – a spirit of hope from God’s own heart. Christmas with the family can be fraught with tension and anxiety and the focus is often on making sure this year is better than last. Because we have so many things to prepare, we miss the hope of the season – the promise of a precious Savior Son who would be come the Lamb of God, sent to take away the sins of the world. This hope is the core of the Christmas spirit for all who believe. Rob: It is this deeper spirit – this echo of that earliest Christmas – that we seek today as we hang the greens and as we share in the one loaf and one cup. As we prepare the sanctuary, we welcome back some old friends: the Advent candles, the evergreens, the Christmas tree, carols and poinsettias. As we celebrate at the Lord’s table, we will be reminded again that we belong to an everlasting family – the family of God. Debra: So come, brothers and sisters in Christ! Come and worship! Come and receive the true spirit of Christmas! PREPARE! Marcia Wohltmann In anticipation we gather With expectation we wait. We gather to watch for the coming of the good news into our world and into our lives. We wait to see the fullness of God’s vision. O God, open the doors to our hearts that this year we may have room for the birth of Jesus. O God, overwhelm us with so much wonder that words of praise spring forth from our lips! In this time of waiting, let true worship begin in our hearts. Let our praises rise up to the heavens! SONG #12 People, Look East SCRIPTURE Isaiah 60:1-3 Ednamae Bruce NARRATION Ednamae Bruce Advent is a time of expectation, and this is symbolized, not only by the four-week period of preparation, but also by lighting an Advent Candle on each Sunday of the season. The flame of each new candle reminds us, the worshipers, that something is happening, and something more is still to come. The candles are arranged in a circle to remind us of the continuous power of God, which knows neither beginning nor ending. The three purple candles symbolize the coming of Christ from the royal line of David. He is coming as the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace. The pink candle is to be lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. This candle represents Joy. The large white candle is our Christ candle and points to Jesus as the Christ, the Light of the world. Each candle represents various aspects of our waiting experience: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. When we light the Christ Candle, we join in the rejoicing that the promise of long ago has been fulfilled. PREPARATION OF THE ADVENT WREATH SONG #41 O Come, All Ye Faithful (congregation sings v. 1 and 3, choir solo on v. 2) (During the singing of this hymn, the advent wreath and candles are prepared.) Jim and Diane Norvell LIGHTING THE CANDLE OF HOPE The King Family Leader 1: Someone is crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make a straight path for him to travel.” (Matthew 3:3,paraphrased) Leader 2: Why do we light the first candle? Leader 3: The first candle is the the candle of hope. It reminds us to follow the example of the prophets who waited with hope for the coming of the Savior. (The first candle is lit.) Leader 4: Let us pray. People: Loving God, you reach out to all people in love and kindness. Teach us your ways of justice and peace. Help us to look for you in every situation, and to await eagerly the new things you are going to do in our lives. Amen. ANTHEM Christmas is Coming Joel Raney The Spirit of Life SCRIPTURE Isaiah 60:13 Kala Finley NARRATION Kala Finley The evergreens and wreaths are “old friends” at Christmas. They bring life to our room which calls to mind the life God give us through the Savior, Jesus. With that life they bring beauty, fragrance and joy and that truly is what Jesus brings to us. Ancient Romans used evergreens as a symbol of peace, joy and victory. Early Christians placed them in their windows to show that Christ had entered the home. And still today, they point to the everlasting life that is ours through Christ Jesus. SONG #28 Good Christian Friends, Rejoice (During the singing of this hymn, the wreaths are hung at the back of the sanctuary.)Lynn Ruppert, Jim Bremhorst, Kathy Sorensen, Linn Haramis The Spirit of Peace CALL TO CONFESSION Peter Avery Just as Jesus is our life, and Jesus is our hope, so also Jesus is our peace. He made peace between us and God when we were far away and alienated. And he continues to make peace between factions of humankind trying to share this planet. PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of forgiveness and mercy, hear our prayer as we confess our sin. Even though every moment is important, we waste the precious resource of time. Even though the light of your love is among us, we linger in the darkness. Even with Christ as our armor, we continue to fear the unknown. Even when we know the night has passed, we still hesitate to greet the new day. O God, lead us forth, that we may meet the moment you graciously give us. Shine your light in the shadows so that your will may be clear. These things we ask in the name of your Son. Amen. ASSURANCE OF PARDON NARRATION Peter Avery Most Christmas greenery reflects European traditions. But one colorful plant, which looks like a flaming star, is native to this continent. The poinsettia was named after Dr. Joel Robert Poinsettia, a minister in Mexico who first introduced it to the United States in 1828. The people of Mexico and Central America have a long tradition of calling this brilliant tropical plant the Flor de Nochebuena or Flower of the Holy Night. The red color symbolizes the blood of Christ that is shed for the forgiveness of our sins and the white reminds of us the peace that we have in knowing that our sins have been forgiven. SCRIPTURE Ephesians 2:13-14; 17-19 Peter Avery Hear the Good News!! In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. SONG #40 Joy to the World #40 (v. 1 and 3) (During the singing of this hymn, the poinsettias are placed in front of the tree grouping stage left.)Kent Kelley, Gene Kelley and Keith Sheckler The Spirit of Sharing INVITATION TO SHARE NARRATION Greg Piland The Christmas tree is one of the most individual and unique of all our home decorations. Each family has a unique collection of ornaments. Some are specialized: all angels, all hand-made, all a certain color. Others are assortments: things the children have made through the years, things handed down from generations, gifts from friends. We could say that like the wreaths, the evergreen tree symbolizes everlasting life. But there is still more to think about when we look at our tree. The Chrismons we hang are represent the various meanings found in the life of Christ. The lights remind us of the glory of God and the tree itself is a symbol of that other tree – the cross, reminding us of that ultimate gift that God shared with us – the gift of eternal life. One of the best gifts we share with one another here at Hope Church is prayer. In the true sharing spirit, let us share our joys and concerns: PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE WITH THE LORD’S PRAYER Greg Piland God of Hope, we rejoice that you became flesh and made your dwelling among us. As we wait, our hearts overflow with gratitude: - for the beauty of creation… - for your work in the world… - for signs of peace and reconciliation… - for our community and its leaders… - for your work accomplished through us, your church… For all these reasons and so much more we give you praise. As we celebrate the first coming of your Son as a helpless child, we also yearn for his return. We yearn for the day in which there will be no more sorrow, pain, or death. Today we remember in prayer: - the nations of the world… - those in authority… - the needs of the community… - the church universal, its mission, and those who minister… - the local congregation and its ministry.. - those with particular needs. We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to pray, saying: Our Father which 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
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