From Rev. Ben –
Join us on Sunday for Celebration! It’s the second week of Advent, and we are grateful to all of you who have sent in your advent candle photos. It’s lovely to see what you’ve done creatively with the raw materials that the Celebration Committee gave out. We hope that this season of waiting is a blessing to you, and that you can feel connected to the church family as we all observe Advent in our own homes. In addition to lighting your own Advent candles, you may wish to bring your own birthday cake… and of course, bring communion elements (bread and cup) to share. You are welcome to take Communion during the video service, or, if it feels more honoring to do it in community, wait and share communion in a breakout room during Zoom Family Hour.
Thank you to everyone who put together this week’s service!
You can submit comments and prayer requests via our Comments Form at mpcfamily.org/comments . We’d love to hear from you!
If you are visiting today, we hope you’ll fill out our online Visitor Card at mpcfamily.org/hello .
View December 6th Celebration online
- Marcia provides a prelude this week, “Of Creator’s Love Begotten”, arranged by Wilbur Held
- Kim and Will bring in the advent wreath while singing “While We Are Waiting, Come” (lyrics below).
- Oliver Gray reads the liturgy for the wreath lighting.
- Ben welcomes us.
- Our opening hymn is “People Look East”.
- May Tong leads us in a prayer for peace.
- Don’t forget! It’s Birthday Sunday! We sing to bless all you December birthdays (including Jesus).
- The youth group presents “O Zoom All Ye Faithful,” a fun skit written by Rev. Corey Turnpenny 2020 and used by permission.
- Anna Santos reads the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah (the parents of John the Baptist).
- I’ll preach about that story.
- For special music, Kim sings “Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning,” one of my favorite shape note carols.
- Ben leads us in communion (bring your own bread and cup).
- The closing hymn is the text I wrote to the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, titled “On the Road to Bethlehem”.
- Stay tuned through the Family Life video to hear about our Giving To the World options, and a special surprise at the end!
The Charge (say together) Go out into the world in peace. Have courage; hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.