Rejoice: The Season of Advent
Rejoice: Christmas Eve
December 24 2021REJOICE: Christmas EveJohn 1: 1-5; LUKE 2: 1-20Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE One: Come, siblings and strangers, friends and foes, seekers and skeptics. We are all welcomed into God’s reign, for tonight we celebrate the birth of our Messiah, the Lord.All: Rejoice in the Lord always; again we will say, rejoice!One: Now, at last, on Christmas Eve, we light our Christ Candle. This candle is the center of our celebration, just as Christ has a…
Rejoice: Week Four
Sunday December 19 2021Fourth Sunday of AdventRejoice: Bursting with God NewsLUKE 2:8-18 NRSVRev mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch Scripture 8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for…
Rejoice: Week Three
Sunday December 12 2021Third Sunday of AdventReJoice: Week ThreeZechariah 9:9 NRSVHandel’s MessiahRev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE (JOY) One: Come, siblings and strangers, friends and foes, seekers and skeptics. We are all welcomed into God’s joy.All: Rejoice in the Lord always; again we will say, rejoice!One: For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon hisshoulders. We light this candle as a sign of our joy in our Savior.All: Christ our…
Rejoice: Week Two
December 5 2021REJOICE: WEEK TWOSECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENTLUKE 1: 39-45REV MARY BETH HARDESTY-CROUCH Lighting of the advent candle (Peace) 8:40amCome, siblings and strangers, friends and foes, seekers and skeptics. We are all welcomed into God’s peace. Along our way, we learn and grow, we make mistakes and make amends, we weep and rejoice. We light this candle to remember that God brings peace into our lives and our world. 11:00amCome, siblings and strangers, friends and foes, seekers and skeptics.We are…
Rejoice: Week One
November 28 2021Rejoice: Week OneFirst SunDay of AdventIsaiah 9:2-7Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch SCRIPTURE 2 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. 3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. 4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the…