Welcome to this time of worship. While we may not be gathered in the same worship space, we are held together in Christ. Even though you may be at home, our Lord promises that where two or three are gathered in his name, he too is present.

This order of worship can be used alongside our online worship service or done together as a family around the kitchen table or on the couch. Know that while we may not be worshiping in the same space, the peace of Christ is with us.

Make your worship space at home comfortable. We invite you to light a candle as you are able to serve as a reminder of God’s presence with each of us.

The bolded words are designated for a group response.

If you are using this outside of our online worship service other readings can be read by one or multiple people gathered to worship. All present are invited and encouraged to lead as they are able.

Please log your participation using the attendance form at the bottom of this page.

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing Donald Busarow

Even So Come Chris Tomlin

We light this candle as a symbol of the hope we have in the promise of the Lord’s coming. 

For the Lord will fulfill his promise to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 

A righteous Branch will spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 

Come, Lord Jesus, come! 

Now, let us pray together. 

God of power unexpected,  

we want you to tear open the heavens and come down;  

to make mountains quake, water boil, and stars to fall  

until all nations tremble at your presence!  

But you,  

you will not perform according to our wants and whims.  

Instead you come like the sound of sheer silence:  

Thin. Quiet.  

Instead you are born among us as an infant. 

Instead you show us how love is made  

perfect in weakness. 

So we will stay alert,  

or at least we will try,  

because we are your people  

and there is no other God besides you.

Amen.

Mark 13:24-37 NRSV

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel   VENI EMMANUEL

God of power and glory, 

we remember your awesome deeds across the ages— 

the times you saved us and brought us home.  

Yet, we also remember times  

when we felt alone and afraid.  

O God, we are your people,  

the work of your hand.  

Look upon us with your shining face,  

especially in the time of need.  

We pray for those who look to you for healing  

and hope . . .  

those who are sick or recuperating from  

illness and injury . . . 

those who are lonely and need companionship  

and care . . . 

those for whom the holidays bring sorrow or pain . . .  

those whose deep sadness overshadows joy.  

Let your face shine upon us, O God.  

We pray for people in need of restoration and reconciliation:  

for those battling addictions and those in recovery . . .  

for people estranged from those they love . . . 

for someone lost in grief . . . 

for someone far from home.  

Let your face shine upon us, O God,  

that we might be saved.  

Renew the spirit of a world grown weary  

with waiting and hoping.  

Especially we pray for wars to end,  

for hunger and poverty to be crowded out by abundance.  

And we pray, too, for the church  

because we also grow weary in our waiting and watching  

for your power and glory to be made known.  

Grant us clarity, passion, and true fellowship  

so that we are awake to your presence. 

Let your face shine upon the church  

and all this weary world, we pray;  

in the name of the One born in a manger  

and coming again on clouds of glory, who taught us to 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,

And 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,

For ever and ever

Amen

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel VENI EMMANUEL