Welcome to Woodland! We’re glad you’re joining us this morning. Take a look at this week’s announcements, and be sure to fill out the visitor card at woodlandnash.org/bulletin.
You’re invited to rise in body or spirit for items in the bulletin marked with an asterisk*, and respond with the congregation for text that is bold. For now, sit back and relax as we begin the service.
Gathering
Prelude
Scott Sauers
*Call to Worship
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.
Righteousness and peace will embrace.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Holy One will give what is good
and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before and will make a path for
God’s steps. Prepare the way for the Holy One!
Candle Lighting
… until they shine forth God’s righteousness.
Come, Christ Jesus, Come!
*Hymn #93
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
*Prayer of Confession
Surprising God,
We confess that our sense of anticipation has been dulled, and we struggle to accept your wonders,
not seeing the marvels around us in the people
and the happenings we view as commonplace.
Move us, O God, and send your light,
that it may shine through us in the needs of the world,
in Christ’s name.
Amen.
Silent confession.
*Hymn #90
Wait for the Lord (3x)
Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord, be strong; take heart!
*Assurance of Grace
In this season of waiting, the Good News is this: mercy,
new life, hope, and joy are the gifts we receive from our God.
Thanks be to the God of Advent, who is with us now and always, and who will come again in glory! Amen.
*Passing of the Peace
Since we have hope in the peace of Christ, let us love one another while we wait.
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.
Response
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Encountering
Scripture Reading
For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Travis Chavis manages the East Nashville training hub at Woodland, and most recently led discussions on race in the Church at Woodland. Travis is an experienced professional in Human Resources and operational processes, and has worked with some of the most recognizable brands in the world.
*Hymn #97
Watchman, Tell Us of the Night
Responding
Prayers of Supplication & Intercession
O God, in your loving kindness,
Hear our prayer.
The Offering and *Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Praise God in Jesus fully known
Creator, Word, and Spirit, one.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Lift up your hearts,
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
(The prayer continues.)
Silent meditation.
We give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we pray
together saying:
Our Father-Mother, 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 sins, as we forgive the sins of others. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
*Hymn #87
Comfort, Comfort Now My People