Children Centre Worships With Us

Morning Worship

San Francisco theological Seminary

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Stewart Chapel

Welcome

Lighting Of The Advent Candles

Light first candle

Reader 1: We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Jesus Christ.

Advent means coming. We are preparing ourselves for the days when the nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Light second candle

Reader 2: The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.

People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Light third candle

Leader 3: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.

People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Light fourth candle

Reader 4: The Lord will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel, God with us.

People: Prepare, then, the way of the Lord.

Light Christ candle

Reader 5: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shined.

People: Let us walk in the light of the Lord.

*Songs

Children’s Christmas Story God Gave Us Christmas

*Song

Scripture Reading Luke 2: 1-14

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Song #25 Away In a Manger

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!’

*Song #23 Angels We Have Heard on High

Peoples Prayers Of Praise And Petition

We will now offer our prayers of praise and petition to God. Please end your prayers with the words, "O Loving God" and the community will respond, "Hear our prayers."

*Closing Song

*Benediction

Participants In Worship:

Ms. Debora Arca Mooney, Liturgist

Rev. Dr. Charles Marks, Chaplain

Dr. Daniel Hoggatt, Musician

Ms. Kitty Lum, Senior, Chaplain's Assistant

Readers

Ms. Dorothy Crockett

Ms. Heidi Skidmore

Ms. Erin Musolf

Mr. Andrew Hoeksema,

Ms. Talitha Phillips