Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship

December 21, 2008
Pastors:  Anita Kehr and Dan Schrock
Phone:  (574) 534-2398                        e-mail: 
Web-Site:  www.berkeyavenue.org

Advent 4

THE INDWELLING FACE OF GOD

Prelude

Gathering

Lighting the God Candle

Call to Worship

      Leader:      God is looking for a house, a place to move into,
                        a place to reside.

      People:      And not just any home.  Not just any temple.

      Leader:      God is interested in flesh-and-blood houses,
                        bodies to receive God's presence.

      People:      Not perfect bodies, but willing bodies,
                        ready to welcome the gift of Divine life.

      Leader:      The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and
                        the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

      People:      The Most High desires us as a house,
                        a place to move into, a place to reside. 

      All:            For nothing will be impossible with God.
                        Thanks be to God.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 1:26-38

Gathering Songs:

      The angel Gabriel (WB 180)
    No wind at the window (inside back cover of the bulletin)

Opening Prayer (together)

      Most High God: 
      We share the awe and wonder of Mary when she declared,
      "My soul magnifies the Lord, for God has looked with favor
            on the lowliness of God's servant."
      We rejoice in your persistent desire
            to inhabit and animate our bodies and our lives.
      Give us the courage and receptivity of Mary
            so Christ may be born anew in our world.
      Here we are, the servants of the Lord.
      Let it be with us according to your word.  AMEN

Song:  My soul is filled with joy (STJ 13) 

Old Testament Reading:  2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Children's Time    

Confessing

Confession

Many faces plead for our attention this week.

In some faces, we see the desperation of the lowly
who never have enough and who fear for their safety.

In our own faces we see sorrow
when the strong overpower the weak.

We wait eagerly for the coming of justice.

Restore us, O God;
let your face shine and be born within us.


Confession Song Response:   Save us, O Lord (Hymnal pocket)

Offering and Offertory

Hearing God's Word

 Psalm Reading:  Psalm 89:1-4  

      Leader:      I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;

      People:      with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness                           to all generations.

      Leader:      I declare that your steadfast love 
                        is established forever;

      People:      your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.

      Leader:      You said, "I have made a covenant
                        with my chosen one,
                        I have sworn to my servant David:

      People:      ‘I will establish your descendants forever,
                        and build your throne for all generations.'"

Sermon:   "The Wrapper"

Responding

Songs of Response

        Savior of the nations, come! (WB 173)
      Oh, how shall I receive thee (WB 182)


Sharing and Prayers of the Congregation

      Reflections from Amy Buckwalter, member of Berkey Avenue,       with photos and her sharing offered by Ginny Martin        Song of Prayer:  La ténèbre (Our darkness) (STJ 101)

      Congregational Prayer:

            Indwelling God, we bring to you our concerns:

(Petitions voiced by the congregation)

            We struggle with our desire to keep control of our lives.
            Our complacency fills us,
            leaving little room for your presence.
            Our wealth and power isolate us
            from the suffering of others.

            Have mercy on us, O God.

      Indwelling God, we bring to you our joys:

(Praises voiced by the congregation)

      We rejoice today because you extend grace to us
      in our unworthiness.
      We live expectantly, for we long to be your dwelling place.
      We live in hope, for nothing is impossible with God.
      Thanks be to God.  AMEN

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

Praising

Songs of Joy and Praise

     O come, all ye faithful (WB 212)
     The virgin Mary had a baby boy (WB 202)
     Joy to the world (WB 318)
 

Welcome and Announcements

        Please pass the friendship registers.    

Sending

Benediction

      As you go, rejoice -
      for God has remembered us with favor.
      Tell everyone of the great things God does for us.
      God's face will shine on you, and you will be saved.

Worship Participants:

Worship Leader:  Rick Stiffney
Song Leader:  Terri Plank Brenneman
Accompanist: Paul Leichty
Children's Time:  Cindy Baker and Melinda Sherer
Prelude and Offertory:  Hannah, Leah, and Mary Roth
Readers:  Quinn Brenneman; Curt, Sherry, Olivia, and Elise Wenger
Sermon:  Dan Schrock
Pastoral Prayer:  Evan Bontrager
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


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 meets in the northeast corner of the meetingroom.
¨      A long-term, discussion-based group that explores a variety of issues meets in the northwest corner of the meetingroom.
¨      College-Age Class meets in the library.
¨      A class focusing on Creation Care meets in the southeast corner of the meetingroom.
¨      A women's class is studying the book, Bad Women of the Bible, and meets in the Jubilee Hall after the children have finished their singing.

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.