Be Alert/Be Prepared
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
The Community Readies Itself For The Coming Messiah
Choral Invitation
You will need two choirs, or partial choirs. One choir, placed in the chancel, will sing with much vigor and enthusiasm, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." The second choir, from the rear of the sanctuary, will sing quietly, almost in a whisper, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Have the choirs sing these separately, so the congregation will experience the contrast. Following the singing, provide the gift of three minutes of silence.
Pastoral Invitation
Which message in which song commands your greatest attention at the beginning of Advent? Give the people an opportunity to raise their hands. Advent is the great getting-ready-moment for Christians as we ready ourselves for the coming of the world's Savior. That is our task these next four weeks. It happens, not by magic, but through watchfulness.
Response to the Invitation
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus," Charles Wesley, 1744; Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1855.
The Community Looks Within
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity (Pastor)
We live in a world of contrasts: Mangers and missiles; shepherds and shysters; stars and starvation; carols and calamities; Wise Men from the east and unrest in the Middle East. Where do we put our emphasis and energy? For a few moments in silence, consider who we are and how we respond in this world of contrasts. Following the silence, offer a prayer which reflects our fears and potential opportunities for change.
Response
"If Only God Would Speak With Us," Richard Avery and Donald Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Song Book. (See Appendix I for address.) After singing the hymn, remind the people that God did speak with us, and still does!
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life (Pastor)
Ask the people how God has spoken and is speaking to them at the beginning of this Advent season. You may want to ask three or four before worship to be ready to share; or you may want to leave the sharing up to the Spirit. Give times for people to respond. We become much too uncomfortable with silence. The idea is to get people to slow down and to consider what in the world their life, especially their life in Christ, is all about.
Response
"Thanks, Lord, for this opportunity to prepare anew for the world's Savior." Say it, or sing it, several times.
The Community Responds To God's Coming In Christ
Message with the Children of All Ages
Are, or were, any of you Boy Scouts? Girl Scouts? Your motto. ("Be prepared.") For what, and in what ways, were you to be prepared? (Give plenty of time for response.) Do you know that this Advent season is one in which God asks us to be prepared? (Let them explain. Give them whatever help they need to get ready for Christmas.)
Reading from the Scriptures
Often, this is the most neglected part of worship participation. People sometimes forget to turn on the microphone. For today, divide the Gospel lesson into two parts. From offstage, have someone read Mark 13:24-31 with much energy and emotion. From the floor of the sanctuary, have someone else read the rest of the lesson. Emphasize certain words, such as "Be alert! Be on guard; Watch." Ask the people to repeat these words after you say them. You may want to repeat them several times.
Proclamation of the Good News
Encourage the people to respond verbally during the message. Or, at least, provide sermon discussion following worship. If we give people no opportunity to disagree and clarify, sooner or later, we may never see them again. You may want to incorporate these two ideas in the message: (1) We may not want to hear the good news, because we already have decided what it is supposed to look like; and (2) If we expect nothing special to happen this Christmas, it likely will turn out to be the same old shopping spree and holly hassle.
Stewardship Challenge
The Stewardship of Alertness/Readiness. Which would most closely describe you: a slug or a squirrel? For one moment of silence, ask the people to consider their stewardship in light of those two animals.
Prayer following the Offering
By your spirit, move us from our "slugdom" to your "squirreldom."
Charge to the Congregation
Are you any more ready now for the Christ-event than when you entered the sanctuary today? What are some specific ways that you will continue your readiness? Bring your ideas to share next week. Carry this thought with you: "To pray is to expose the shores of your mind to the incoming tide of the Holy Spirit" (Ralph Sockman.) So, what's your intent for this Advent?
The Church Scatters For Ministry
Meditation
(Include at the end of the worship bulletin.) Sometimes there is more joy and excitement in getting ready for something than in the event itself. Thomas Fuller has said, "Prospect is often better than possession." I hope that is untrue for this coming event.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation (a.k.a. the Prelude): Medley of Advent hymns or "Come Now, Redeemer," by Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night," John Bowring, 1825; alt., 1972.
Response to the Act of Receiving New Life: "Comfort, Comfort You My People," (Isaiah 40:1-8). Para. by Johannes Olearius, 1671; trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863; alt.
Response to the Message with the Children: "Joy Shall Come," Hebrew Melody, from New Wine. (See Appendix 1 for address.)
Response to the Scripture Reading: "Do You Know the Newborn Child?" by Chenoweth.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge (Offertory): "Lo, How a Rose," Brahms.
Response to the Benediction: (I prefer this phrase over "postlude.") Medley of Advent hymns.
Note: Despite the pressure, use Advent hymns during Advent, all of it, and Christmas carols during the season of Christmas.
Choral Invitation
You will need two choirs, or partial choirs. One choir, placed in the chancel, will sing with much vigor and enthusiasm, "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town." The second choir, from the rear of the sanctuary, will sing quietly, almost in a whisper, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Have the choirs sing these separately, so the congregation will experience the contrast. Following the singing, provide the gift of three minutes of silence.
Pastoral Invitation
Which message in which song commands your greatest attention at the beginning of Advent? Give the people an opportunity to raise their hands. Advent is the great getting-ready-moment for Christians as we ready ourselves for the coming of the world's Savior. That is our task these next four weeks. It happens, not by magic, but through watchfulness.
Response to the Invitation
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus," Charles Wesley, 1744; Rowland Hugh Prichard, 1855.
The Community Looks Within
Introduction to the Act of Recognizing Our Humanity (Pastor)
We live in a world of contrasts: Mangers and missiles; shepherds and shysters; stars and starvation; carols and calamities; Wise Men from the east and unrest in the Middle East. Where do we put our emphasis and energy? For a few moments in silence, consider who we are and how we respond in this world of contrasts. Following the silence, offer a prayer which reflects our fears and potential opportunities for change.
Response
"If Only God Would Speak With Us," Richard Avery and Donald Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Song Book. (See Appendix I for address.) After singing the hymn, remind the people that God did speak with us, and still does!
Introduction to the Act of Receiving New Life (Pastor)
Ask the people how God has spoken and is speaking to them at the beginning of this Advent season. You may want to ask three or four before worship to be ready to share; or you may want to leave the sharing up to the Spirit. Give times for people to respond. We become much too uncomfortable with silence. The idea is to get people to slow down and to consider what in the world their life, especially their life in Christ, is all about.
Response
"Thanks, Lord, for this opportunity to prepare anew for the world's Savior." Say it, or sing it, several times.
The Community Responds To God's Coming In Christ
Message with the Children of All Ages
Are, or were, any of you Boy Scouts? Girl Scouts? Your motto. ("Be prepared.") For what, and in what ways, were you to be prepared? (Give plenty of time for response.) Do you know that this Advent season is one in which God asks us to be prepared? (Let them explain. Give them whatever help they need to get ready for Christmas.)
Reading from the Scriptures
Often, this is the most neglected part of worship participation. People sometimes forget to turn on the microphone. For today, divide the Gospel lesson into two parts. From offstage, have someone read Mark 13:24-31 with much energy and emotion. From the floor of the sanctuary, have someone else read the rest of the lesson. Emphasize certain words, such as "Be alert! Be on guard; Watch." Ask the people to repeat these words after you say them. You may want to repeat them several times.
Proclamation of the Good News
Encourage the people to respond verbally during the message. Or, at least, provide sermon discussion following worship. If we give people no opportunity to disagree and clarify, sooner or later, we may never see them again. You may want to incorporate these two ideas in the message: (1) We may not want to hear the good news, because we already have decided what it is supposed to look like; and (2) If we expect nothing special to happen this Christmas, it likely will turn out to be the same old shopping spree and holly hassle.
Stewardship Challenge
The Stewardship of Alertness/Readiness. Which would most closely describe you: a slug or a squirrel? For one moment of silence, ask the people to consider their stewardship in light of those two animals.
Prayer following the Offering
By your spirit, move us from our "slugdom" to your "squirreldom."
Charge to the Congregation
Are you any more ready now for the Christ-event than when you entered the sanctuary today? What are some specific ways that you will continue your readiness? Bring your ideas to share next week. Carry this thought with you: "To pray is to expose the shores of your mind to the incoming tide of the Holy Spirit" (Ralph Sockman.) So, what's your intent for this Advent?
The Church Scatters For Ministry
Meditation
(Include at the end of the worship bulletin.) Sometimes there is more joy and excitement in getting ready for something than in the event itself. Thomas Fuller has said, "Prospect is often better than possession." I hope that is untrue for this coming event.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation (a.k.a. the Prelude): Medley of Advent hymns or "Come Now, Redeemer," by Bach.
Hymn of Praise: "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night," John Bowring, 1825; alt., 1972.
Response to the Act of Receiving New Life: "Comfort, Comfort You My People," (Isaiah 40:1-8). Para. by Johannes Olearius, 1671; trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863; alt.
Response to the Message with the Children: "Joy Shall Come," Hebrew Melody, from New Wine. (See Appendix 1 for address.)
Response to the Scripture Reading: "Do You Know the Newborn Child?" by Chenoweth.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge (Offertory): "Lo, How a Rose," Brahms.
Response to the Benediction: (I prefer this phrase over "postlude.") Medley of Advent hymns.
Note: Despite the pressure, use Advent hymns during Advent, all of it, and Christmas carols during the season of Christmas.
