A Way to Wait for More Light

Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 11, 2022 11:00 am
Westport Presbyterian Church—The Phoenix is Rising!

(Video will be posted LIVE on the church’s FB page at 11am and then cross-posted here.  If the video doesn’t load properly here, you should be able to click on the Watch on Facebook link and watch as a guest, even if you don’t have Facebook)

PRELUDE: Prelude on “Divinum Mysterium”—David P. Dahl
RESPONSIVE CALL TO RETURN TO OUR SOULS

Leader: God of Creative Wonder! People: Lord of Increasing Light! Leader: Greet us in love as we gather to worship
People: Gently hold the gift of our personal journeys. Leader: Even when the road is rough
People: The way hard and often dangerous
Leader: And we are not sure what is coming next.
People: Empower us to be present to each other in encouraging ways.
Leader: Send us to be present to neighbors in hope-filled ways.
People: May our minds be broken open
Leader: To receive the herald’s cry!—
People: And listen to the angel’s song.
Leader: May our hearts become an open window
People: To the Christmas message of Universal Love.

Lighting of 3rdt Candle of Advent
HYMN: “Sleepers, Wake!” A Voice Astounds Us  349  Glory to God
RESPONSIVE PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND COMMITMENT

Pastor: Holy God, we open the book of our lives to you, offering the truth of our lives:
People: The worries that erode our peace of mind,
Pastor: The prejudice that turns out hearts to stone.
People: The ignorance that blinds our vision of a way ahead.
Pastor The fears that undermine our higher purposes!
People: Help us, we pray, that we will find courage in unlikely places,
Pastor: See the world with new and gracious eyes,
People: Send Love to those places and people where love is needed,
Pastor: Have faith that you are always with us.
People: This we pray in the name of the coming Christ. Amen.

SUNG RESPONSE:  Holy, Holy, Holy (English and Spanish)  #595 GtG
BIBLE READINGS: Micah 5: 2-5a Luke 1:39-56
ANTHEM: Emmanuel!—Carl J. Nygard, Jr.
MEDITATION BEFORE MESSAGE

Pastor: May the words of my mouth
People: And the meditations of our hearts,
Pastor: Be acceptable to you, O Lord,
People: Our Rock and our Redeemer. Amen.

MESSAGE: A Way to Wait for More Light
HYMN:  Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming  #129 GtG
PRAYER: Pastoral Prayer, Matthew 25 Prayer, Lord’s Prayer
SUNG RESPONSE:  Come, Bring Your Burdens to God (sing twice)  #851 GtG
WELCOMING
OFFERTORY: The Wexford Carol—Traditional Irish, arr. by Charles Floyd and Yo-Yo Ma; Joshua Stark, baritone
                 Offering link
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION

Leader: In this season of giving, we pause to create space for grace for love of the Christ child. With Mary we proclaim,
People: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Leader: We have prepared ourselves for Christ’s coming, and have declared faith in God’s promises.
People: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Leader: Fill us, O God, with Your love. Prepare us to receive this gift, and share the good news with all people.
People: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Leader: As we dedicate all that we have given, may we be as open to Your love as Mary was, and as trusting in Your promise of peace.
People: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
Amen.

HYMN:  Watchman, Tell us of the Night  #97 GtG (alternate tune: St. George’s Windsor, tune of “Come Ye Thankful People, Come” Thanksgiving hymn)
BLESSING

Leader: Light looked down and saw darkness. People: “I will go there,” said Light. Leader: Peace looked down and saw war. People: “I will go there,” said Peace. Leader: Love looked down and saw hatred.People: “I will go there,” said Love. Leader: So the Lord of Light, People: The Messenger of Peace and Love— is coming soon.

POSTLUDE:  Voluntary on an Old English Carol—John S. Dixon

Announcements:

• COOKIE SALE! Our big cookie sale to SUPPORT THE WESTPORT CONCERT SERIES is next Saturday, December 17, from 11:30-2:30 in the fellowship hall. Setup begins at 10:00 a.m. Thank you to all who have volunteered to help! If you still wish to volunteer, there’s still time. If you are baking, you don’t need to give us the recipe, but please label your goodies if they include nuts or other allergens, or are gluten free. We can use as many goodies as possible!
• ADVENT CHOIR rehearsals continue today after the service. We will rehearse again at 10:00 a.m. on the 18th, which is the lessons and carols service.
• Illuminated Christmas Eve service is Saturday, Dec. 24, 7:00 p.m. While Global and Local Art interpreting the Nativity Story is displayed on the Big Screens, hymns and carols are sung—and the Nativity is read in dramatic, synchronistic fashion. We will not be livestreaming the Christmas Eve service this year as we have less staff over the holiday.
• There will be a Christmas Sunday service at 11 am on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. We will not be livestreaming this service either. Church will be closed on Monday after Christmas Day and New Years Day.
• Our 2023 Pledge Drive has reached $94,000 and change. Thanks to everyone who has pledged. If you have not pledged, can you bring us closer to our $115,000 goal and make the Session’s work easier as we create a budget Tuesday night and strive to reward all the people who work hard for the church—increase our mission, community and social justice outreach—and keep creating space for grace in our building. Pledge cards and envelopes are on the table with worship bulletins, at the entry to the sanctuary. We will have a congregational meeting right after worship next Sunday to review and budget and elect church officers.