Order of Worship November 29, 2020
Updated: Jun 22, 2022
UJCC Sunday House Worship Service
November 29, 2020 * 1st Sunday of Advent
Prelude Mountains Are All Aglow Rev. Hope Kawashima and Friends
Lighting of the Advent Candles Lisa & Olivia Mochizuki
Please see invitation above.
Reader One: If ever there was a year we needed Advent, this is the year. We hardly know how to describe the year we have lived through. We hesitate to reflect on all the mess around us in 2020. All we know is that nothing seems right, nothing seems like it used to be, nothing. We need Advent!
Reader Two: The prophet Isaiah cried out for us, “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down … To make your name known … so that nations might tremble at your presence.” So tear through the mess, O Lord, and come down to us again. We long to be your people, a people of hope.
Reader Three: We light this first candle as a sign of our hope. [light one candle.] Hope that you can meet us, even in the mess of our world. Hope that you still see us, though we feel we are lost in the rubble. Let this light be the guide that brings us to Emmanuel once more. Amen.
Call To Worship (in unison)
What will set us journeying in search of the Christ this Advent?
How far are we prepared to go out of our way
to look for the signs of His coming,
and to prepare a path?
How will we travel through this season,
will we be burdened by responsibilities and tasks,
loaded with others’ expectations, overwhelmed by their needs?
Will we be full of joy or weary of grief?
What will guide our steps in these weeks?
Will we follow a thread of longing,
the hint of an alternative pathway,
the words and music of the gathered community?
Sisters and brothers in Christ, Advent awaits us.
Let us place our feet on the road and begin the journey.
May we find in familiar words, rituals, and customs
the birth of the new thing that awaits us. Amen. (as)
Song of Centering “O, Come And See The Baby” UJCC Virtual Choir
We Humbly Adore and Receive
Children’s Time Rev. Sungrae Kim
Scripture Reading in Japanese Mark 13:24-37 Miwa and Nanami Jones
Sermon “Hear The Welkin Sing!” Rev. Akiko Miyake-Stoner
Song of Reflection “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
You are invited to continue your spiritual practice of giving to the church. Please either mail your offering to the church (136 N. Villa Ave., Clovis, CA 93612) or try our online giving option (LINK HERE). Thank you!
Doxology Youth Band
Joys and Concerns & Time of Prayer
You are invited to share your joys and concerns with one another using our usual format:
Person lifting the prayer: “O God of Mercy;” everyone’s response: “This is our prayer.”
After you share your joys and concerns, go around the circle and offer prayer, praying freely or using this format:
“God, I thank you for…” and “God, I ask for…”
You are invited to close together with The Lord’s Prayer.
* Please join in our Zoom Fellowship & Prayer meeting at 11:30 am
From your computer or smartphone, join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 892 8141 6160
Or call: +1 669 900 6833
* There is no Sunday school today.
* If you or your kids would like to contribute to our virtual worship by music, painting, photos, recipes or anything, please contact Rev. Rae: sungrae@ujcclife.com
Go Now in Peace Becky Messer
Worship Resource: (as) Ann Siddall, “Advent Call To Worship (2),” https://stillpointsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2012/04/Prayers-and-liturgies-_-Advent2.pdf
Mark 13:24-37
24. “But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25. and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory.
27. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
28. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near.
29. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates.
30. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32. “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.
34. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch.
35. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn,
36. or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.
37. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.