December 13, 2015The Return of the JewsEzra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 10-13

www.riverofhopehutchinson.orgWorship on Sundays at 10:30am

GatheringMusic to Prepare Us for Worship

Gathering Songs “Comfort, Comfort Now My People”, “Messiah”

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Welcome, Worship Orientation 101, Connection Cards

No Longer Strangers Prayer (Based on Matthew 25)Blessed be God, the one who slipped into skin and was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned. “When was it that we saw you, Jesus, hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you? And Jesus said, ‘truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’” Stir up in us the wisdom and courage to see you, Jesus, in unknown places and people. Amen.

Meet Someone NewWe practice being Christians by extending our hand in friendship to people we may not know very well or at all. If we can’t practice it here in worship, where else can we do it? Go ahead, make the first move. “Hi, my name is ____________. You’re new to me.” OR “Can I introduce myself to you?” are good ways to start.

Reprise of “Messiah” to gather everyone back together.

Lighting of the Advent WreathIn this season of waiting for Jesus to come, we watch as the light slowly comes into the darkness. One candle at a time, the darkness is dispersed. Each week, one additional candle is lit by someone new in our midst, growing in faith: Someone newly baptized; newly confirmed; new to River of Hope; newly restored to health.

Those lighting the candle will lead this litany.In the beginning was the Word—spoken and breathed, a promise made and kept.Persevere in hope, keep the faith—God’s promise is true!The Word was in the beginning, and through him all things come into being.Eternal and near at hand, already and not-yet, God’s promise is the foundation of all life.Keep going! Persevere in joy, giving voice to God’s presence yet again.

“One Voice” is sung as they light the candle.

Confession and ForgivenessLet us confess that God is God and we are not. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we speak the truth of who we are, we are brought again to the knowledge of how madly God loves us.

Silence is kept for reflection and self-examination

God of Mercy,We confess that we don’t have everything figured out. We confess that we are not holy like you are holy. We confess that we try to not need you. We confess that we try to not need each other. Forgive us for the ways in which we do not act like your beloved children and bring us again to resurrection.

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God who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love – loves you as you are. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ and by his authority I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father, + and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Amen

GreetingThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the community of the Holy Spirit is with you all. And also with you.

Prayer of the DayLet us pray: God of restoration, you brought your people home from exile and in their joy they rebuilt your temple. Free us from our personal and communal exiles, and help us to build up your church, your people, all people. Amen.

The WordTo the Narrator: please tell the congregation what their parts are before announcing the reading.

Narrator: Our story and God’s story continues today in the book of Ezra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 10-13.ALL: Your mercies are new each morning, Lord; your faithfulness lasts forever. Pronunciation Guide:Cyrus: SI-ruhsPersia: PUHR-zhuhJeshua: JEH-shoo-ahJozadak: JOH-zuh-dakZerubbabel: zee-RUB-uh-buhlShealtiel: shee-AL-tee-uhlAsaph: AY-safLevites: LEE-vaitsSimeon: SIM-ee-uhn

Narrator: In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom, and also in a 2written edict declared: 3Any of those among you who are of his people—may their God be with them! —are now permitted to go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem; 4and let all survivors, in whatever place they reside, be assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and with animals, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in Jerusalem.” When the seventh month came, and the Israelites were in the towns, the people gathered together in Jerusalem. 2Then Jeshua son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his kin set out to build the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as prescribed in the law of Moses the man of God. 3They set up the altar on its foundation, because they were in dread of the neighboring

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peoples, and they offered burnt offerings upon it to the Lord, morning and evening. 4And they kept the festival of booths, as prescribed, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the ordinance, as required for each day.10When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; 11and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, ALL: “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” Narrator: And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, 13so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.

Narrator: Stay tuned for the continuing saga that is our story and God’s story.ALL: Your mercies are new each morning, Lord; your faithfulness lasts forever.Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Labyrinth & Star Prayers

Sing “God of Mercy”, pages 10-11 in Holden Evening Prayer & “Let My Prayer Rise Up”, pages 4-7 in Holden Evening Prayer

As we sing our prayers, a leader will pray for all the world in song with our sung and hummed response “God of mercy hold us in love.” As we pray, you are invited into the prayer practice of your choice: 1. Pray through the yellow sheet of prayer concerns; 2. Use the paper labyrinth as a way to pray – there are helpful hints on the back of the page if this is new to you; 3. Physically walk the labyrinth at the back of the worship space. 4. Pray using a paper star and put it on the wall.

The FeastOffering of Music – Voices of Hope

Offering All that we have and all that we are comes from God. Let us give back to God in a spirit of generosity. There will be enough.Please put your offering of gratitude to God in the plate as it passes by. Prayerfully consider giving a consistent financial gift to River of Hope so our community cannot just survive but thrive.

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Offering Song "The Magnificat", pages 8-9 in Holden Evening PrayerAs we joyfully give back to God, we also prepare to set the table.

Setting the Table

As the kids help set the table, they make a circle around the table and lead the congregation in the table prayer written by Martin Luther:Let’s pray: Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. And let these gifts to us be blest. Amen.

Thanksgiving at the TableThe Lord is with youAnd also with youLift up your hearts!We lift them to the Lord.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Words to Bless the FeastOn the night in which he was betrayed…

O God of resurrection and new life:Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine.Bless this feast.Grace our table with your presence. Amen.

The Lord’s PrayerYou are invited to join hands with those around you in prayer. If you are not the hand-holding type, then simply fold your hands in front of you or hang onto this bulletin as you pray.

Our Father who 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.Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Invitation to the Meal You are welcome to this meal. If you hunger and thirst for grace and mercy that comes through Jesus Christ, then Christ has set this table just for you. Bring all that you are and all that you have to the table. You will be fed. You are forgiven. There is enough.

Please, at this time, also use the Labyrinth to pray.

Communion Songs/Hymns “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”, “O Come O Come Emmanuel”

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Prayer After CommunionLet us pray.Loving God, thank you for the gift of grace received at this table. Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of the world in need. Draw us near to you through your body and blood, through your presence in this world here and now. Amen.

The SendingWhy does our church exist? What is our purpose? We go out to transform lives through Jesus Christ.

BenedictionChildren of all ages are invited up to bless the congregation.The Lord bless you and keep you.The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.

Sending Song “Arise, Your Light Has Come”

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Go in peace – prepare the way of the Lord.

Thanks be to GodPlease, at this time, also use the Labyrinth to pray.

Music to Send You Out

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