Sunday, December 22, 2024: Please join us today, the 4th Sunday of Advent. We begin our celebration at 2:15 with a welcoming followed by the liturgy at 2:30. Our liturgy this week was created by Patti and Marcie. Thank you!
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Emmaus Liturgy 12/22/24: We Come to the Birth Bearing Gifts
Bell Ringing
Patti: We’ve arrived at the 4th Sunday in Advent. The traditional Christian church celebrates Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, a gift of family love and friendship. In today’s liturgy we celebrate the gift of Jesus’ birth, the gift we are, and the gifts we share.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
(Readers read while Marcie lights the candles)
Victoria: O God, we light the first candle of Advent. We kindle it with hope. We long for you to come to our world, to break through and reign with compassion, justice, and peace.
Pat: O God, we light the second candle of Advent. We seek your comfort. Both mighty and tender, you come. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you.
Victoria: We light the third candle of Advent. We look to John, the one you sent, to point us to your light. The light will come into our world and enlighten everyone.
Pat: We light the fourth candle of Advent. O God, visit us and fill us with your spirit. Bring your good news to life within us. Give us courage to carry your light into the injustices and shadows of this world.
ALL: Amen!
Music: Let the Heavens Rejoice and the Earth Be Glad by Bob Dufford
Liturgy of the Word
Melva: First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-6
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoining, as they rejoice before you as at the harvest. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Mary Ellen: Our Responsorial is: Jesus has given us the gift of himself
ALL: Jesus has given us the gift of himself
I have come to bring you the gift of peace. Not the peace of the season, for it is too fleeting. Not the peace of the carol, for it is nostalgic. Not the peace of the greeting card, for it is too slick. Not the peace of the crib, for it is too wistful.
ALL: Jesus has given us the gift of himself
Mary Ellen: I have come to bring you the gift of peace of the ordinary, the daily, the homely. Peace for the worker, the mother, the student. Peace in the office, the kitchen, the farm.
ALL: Jesus has given us the gift of himself
I have come to bring you the gift of peace. The peace of accepting yourself as I have fashioned you. The peace of knowing yourself as I love you. The peace of loving yourself as I love you. The peace of being yourself as I am who am.
ALL: Jesus has given us the gift of himself
Mary Ellen: I have come to bring you the gift of peace. The peace that warms you at the completion of a task. The peace that invades you at the close of the day. The peace that sustains you at the beginning of the day. The peace that comes when family members are reconciled.
ALL: Jesus has given us the gift of himself
Without the gift of peace, my coming is unfulfilled, my birth is forgettable,
Christmas is a contradiction. [Author unknown]
ALL: Jesus has given us the gift of himself
Dan Vrooman: Second Reading: —from generositymonk.com
Only when we live in the light of the fact that everything is a gift are we released from the trappings of merit and set free to show mercy. Only when we realize we deserve nothing, can we generously enjoy and share everything.
While capitalism appears to have done a lot of good, buyer beware. The greatest danger to the radical gospel may not be the obvious enemies, but rather its close counterfeit. By definition capital or money is the god served by that structure, and Jesus warned we could not serve both God and money, though we might try. The former fosters greed and the latter champions grace, and it positions us to practice distinctly Christian generosity.
Alice: Gospel: James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
ALL: O God, we ask for a generous spirit to dwell within us. Help us to give freely and joyfully, reflecting your love and kindness in all our actions. May our hearts be open to those in need, and may our hands be willing to serve without hesitation. Guide us to be a beacon of your generosity, sharing your blessings with others in meaningful ways. Thank you for the abundance you have provided and for the opportunity to be a blessing to others. Amen.
Music: “Servant Song”
Shared Homily
What are our gifts?
How do we share them?
What gift do you want to give yourself?
What has been a meaningful gift you have received?
Marcie: Oh God, grant us the wisdom to know how best to use the gifts you have given us for the benefit of others.
David: Emmaus tithing is explained and offers the Collection/Offering Basket
Patti: What/Who do we bring to the table this evening?
(Use hand motions to receive them and offer them up)
Patti: For these spoken petitions, and the unspoken ones we hold in our hearts….
Music: “ Hail Mary: Gentle Woman” by Cary Landry
Liturgy of the Eucharist (from “Blessing the Bread, the Cup” by Jan Richardson)
Patti: (holding up bread) Let us bless the bread that gives itself to us with its terrible weight, its infinite grace.
Marcie: (holding up cup) Let us bless the cup poured out for us with a love that makes us anew.
Patti: Let us gather around these gifts, simply given and deeply blessed.
Marcie: And then let us go bearing the bread, carrying the cup, laying table within a hungering world.
As Patti and Marcie hold up the bread and wine…
ALL: For it is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in unity with the Holy Spirit, that all honor and glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Marcie: Now together, as one community, we offer to you our prayer, given to us by our brother, Jesus:
ALL: Creator of all, holy and blessed is your true name. We pray for your reign of peace to come. We pray that your good will be done. Let heaven and earth become one. Give us this day the bread we need. Give it to those who have none. Let forgiveness flow like a river between us, from each one to each one. Lead us to holy innocence beyond the evil of our days. Come swiftly Creator God, come. For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy; forever your name is All in One. ALL: Amen.
Patti: Let us now offer one another a sign of peace.
Marcie: Everyone is welcome at this table. The Spirit, whom the universe cannot contain is present to us in this bread. God’s sacred presence, that redeems us and calls us by name, now meets us in this cup. So come, take this bread, drink this wine. In them, the Spirit comes to us so that we become one with the Spirit.
Distribution of Communion to all.
Music: “Earthen Vessels” by John Foley
Moment of silent reflection
Patti: Closing Blessing (each person receives a copy of “A Prayer for Christmas Morning,” a gift from Patti, and together we read it.)
Listen as I call to you through the flutes and chimes of Christmas.
Listen through the tinsel and the presents, for I am here with you.
I, Emmanuel, am here.
Remember as you celebrate, Christmas leads to Easter, and Easter leads to now. You are a People for whom I offered my own birth, in order to offer my death.
You are a People saved from sin and made ready for joy.
So rejoice this Christmas, not because of the glitter and gold, but because I am present in your needs. I have suffered them and they are now transformed. I have sheltered safely in the cold stable of your world. I am there.
And even if sometimes you can not find me in the midst of your life, I remain with you.
Today is Christmas. Light the candles. They have more right to exist than all the darkness. It is Christmas.
Closing Hymn: “City of God”
Marcie: And this Beloved Emmaus Community says:
ALL: AMEN!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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