Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship
December 7, 2008
Pastors:  Anita Kehr and Dan Schrock
Phone:  (574) 534-2398                        e-mail: 
Web-Site:  www.berkeyavenue.org

Advent 2

THE COMFORTING FACE OF GOD

Prelude

GATHERING

Lighting the God Candle

 

Call to Worship

      Leader:      Fill your lungs with air,
                       and lift up your voice with strength.

      People:      Good news is coming! 
                        God's love is being revealed.

      Leader:      Get up on a high mountain
                        so you can see the big picture. 
                        Step out into the open plain
                        so you can see all around.

      People:      The Lord comes,
                        strong as one who levels hills and raises valleys, gentle as a shepherd who gathers the lambs.

      Leader:      Here is good news for all creation!

      All:            Love and faithfulness are embracing. 
                        Justice and peace are kissing each other. 
                        God's presence is among us today!

 

Opening prayer

      God of comfort, God of might:
      Unsettle us today with your good news.
      Move us into open spaces
      so we may inhale the fresh breeze of your presence.
      Redirect our energies toward your purposes
      of justice and peace.
      Prepare a place among us and within us
      for the one who will fill us with the Holy Spirit.  AMEN

Gathering songs: 

      Come, Light of the world
            Come, Light of the world... (4x)
            Come, Spirit of God... (4x)
            Come, Prince of Peace... (4x)
            Come, hear our prayer... (4x)

       As the pauper waits for plenty (inside back cover of bulletin)

CONFESSING

Confession 

      Many faces plead for our attention this week.
      In some faces we see longings for comfort and direction
      in the midst of threats and insecurity.
      In our own faces we see desires
      for peace and words of assurance.
      We listen for the voice crying,
      "Prepare the way."
      Restore us, O God;
      let your face shine and bring us comfort.

Songs of Response:   Save us, O Lord (Hymnal pocket)
                                   You are all we have (STJ 29)

PRAISING

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

Song:  Comfort, comfort, O my people (HWB 176)

Offering - Young Adult Choir:  Let Your Face Shine

HEARING GOD'S WORD


Psalm Reading:  Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

      Lord, you were favorable to your land;
      you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

      You forgave the iniquity of your people;
      you pardoned all their sin.

      Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,

      for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful,
      to those who turn to him in their hearts.

      Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
      that his glory may dwell in our land.

      Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
      righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

      Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
      and righteousness will look down from the sky.

      The Lord will give what is good,
      and our land will yield its increase.
      Righteousness will go before him,
      and will make a path for his steps.

Sermon:  "Praying about God's Anger"

RESPONDING

Song of Response :   Oh, Lord have mercy (STJ 47)

Sharing/Prayers of the Congregation

      Sharing from Goldie Hostetler (recorded images and reflections prepared by Ginny Martin)

      Song of Prayer:   " La ténèbre (Our darkness)" (STJ 101)

      Congregational Prayer:

            Comforting God, we bring to you our concerns:

                  (Voiced by the congregation)

            Speak tenderly to us;

            speak to the fading and withered places;

            speak comfort to broken bodies, minds, and relationships.

            We long to see valleys lifted up and mountains made low

            so we may walk on straight paths,

            confident of your forgiveness,

            and ready to hear your words of love and peace.

 

            Comforting God, we bring to you our joys:

                  (Praises offered by congregation)

            We revel in the joy of your embrace.

            When we see good things spring up from the ground,

            we say, "Here is our God!"

            When we hear voices of comfort and wisdom,

            we say, "Here is our God!"

            We live in thankfulness, knowing that you walk with us,

            and we pray in Jesus' name.  AMEN

      Song of Prayer:   La ténèbre (Our darkness) (STJ 101)

Welcome and Announcements 

            Please pass the friendship registers.

Song:  Dona nobis pacem  (HWB 346)

Sending

      As you go, know that God holds you securely and tenderly.
      Live justly and seek the ways of peace.
      God will restore you.
      God's face will shine on you, and you will be saved.

Worship Participants:

Worship Leader:  Eric Hostetler

Song Leader:  Paul Leichty

Accompanist: Emily Grimes

Prelude; Choir Coordinator and Director:  Greg Smucker

Candle Lighter:  Corey Hostetler

Readers:  Jim Brenneman, Justin Heinzekehr, Lavonn Hostetler, Armand Martin, Trish Yoder

Sermon:  Dan Schrock

Pastoral Prayer:  Anita Kehr

Sound and Projection:  Michael Sherer

Ushers:  Dale and Anita Snyder Family

Bulletin Cover:  Anne Berry

Advent Planning Committee:  Terri J. Plank Brenneman, Hannah Heinzekehr, Eric Hostetler, Ginny Martin, Lane Miller, Sherry Wenger

Let Your Face Shine
by Greg Smucker

 

Refrain:          Restore us, O God; let your face shine,

that we may be saved, that we may be saved.

Send to us the true vine, the one true vine;

that we may be saved.

 

Verse 1:         You brought a vine out of Egypt.

It took deep root and filled the land.

It sent its shoots to the rivers;

and reached its hand to the sea.

Restore us, restore us, O God;

that we may be saved.

 

Verse 2:         The drought of our hearts parched the land.

The fires of our sins consumed the vine.

The walls of our faithfulness are left in ruins.

We call to you to give us life.

Restore us, restore us, O God;

                        that we may be saved.

Verse 3:         We hear the voice of one calling,

                       "Prepare the way of the Lord."

                       A shoot will rise from the barren ground;

                       and bear new fruit for the world.

                       Restore us, restore us, O God;

                       that we may be saved.


Childcare is available for infants and toddlers (generally ages three and under) in the nursery on the right side of the hallway.

Nurture Hour begins ten minutes after the end of worship.  Re-gather in the meetingroom for these opportunities:

Please attend the intergenerational adult class of your choice :

¨      Sermon Discussion Class

¨      A long-term, discussion-based group that explores a variety of issues.

¨      College-Age Class

¨      A class focusing on Creation Care

Listen for locations to be announced this morning.

Children from preschool through fifth grade gather after worship for singing in "Jubilee Hall" (the large room north of the fellowship hall).  Younger children may go directly to their classroom (see the room assignments below).

¨      Infants and 2-year-olds meet in "Cherub Corner."

¨      Preschool (3- and 4-year-olds) meet in "Gentleness."

¨      Primary I (kindergarten) meet in "Joyful."

¨      Primary II (first and second grades) meet in "Peace."

¨      Middler (third, fourth, and fifth grades) meet in "Forgiveness."

Youth:  

The JYF (grades 6-8) and the MYF (grades 9-12) meet in their classrooms off of Jubilee Hall.

If you are visiting, please pick up a newsletter
 on the literature rack in the fellowship hall.