designing worship: Advent II

The excerpt we sang timed at around 42 minutes, which made designing worship to include it tricky. This congregation is accustomed to a 70-minute service. It was also a Communion Sunday, which meant 1) of course, allowing time for the sacrament, and 2) necessitating a sermon of some type. (My initial plan was to "let Handel preach the sermon" this morning; our in-house theologians reminded me of the importance of linking word and sacrament.)

I had already dismissed the interim pastor from preaching duties for Dec. 7th. Lucky for me I am married to a theologian, and she prepared a short meditation around the text of #6 (who may abide /refiner's fire.) Many of the congregrants voiced their appreciation of a meditation that was scripturally based, got right to the heart of the matter very quickly, and even brought up unexpected perspective on the liturgical season. (Are we waiting for the infant Jesus? Or the returning Messiah?)

Anyway, if you are a worship geek like me, here are the details.

Prelude (Messiah #1)
Welcome - Call to Worship
Hymn: Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates (TRURO) - first two verses
Prayer of Confession - Assurance - Response
Advent Candle Lighting
Reading Isaiah 40:1-11 (Comfort, Comfort you my people....)
Children's Sermon (names for Jesus, including "Messiah")
Reading Malachai 3:1-4 (WHo may abide?)
Meditation
Messiah #2-11, 33
Offering (#35 played by ensemble)
Prayer of Dedication - Passing of Peace
Communion Hymn (two verses of "Let All Mortal Flesh" PICARDY)
Communion *#41 played during distribution)
Prayers
Hymn- final two verses of "Lift Up Your Heads"
Announcements
Benediction

85 minutes. Next time, not on a Communion Sunday.