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    Dec 06, 2020

    Do Not Be Afraid: Zechariah

    Do Not Be Afraid: Zechariah

    Passage: Luke 1:5-25

    Speaker: Rev. Jennifer Eschliman, Pastor

    Category: Advent

    The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard." (Luke 1:13a)
    Second Sunday in Advent
    December 6, 2020 - 10 am
               
    Watch the service as you follow along
     
    Prelude: Hyfrydol
     ~Peter Niedmann
     
    Welcome
     
    Call to Worship        
    We dream God’s dream of a world at peace--  
    where enemies are reconciled, and children play in safety; where the poor and powerless find justice.
    We remember God’s promise of a Ruler of Peace--
    Filled with the Spirit of God, of wisdom and understanding, of counsel and might, of justice and faithfulness.  
    Come, Lord Jesus, Hope of the world: 
    Open our lives to the peace which you bring. Pardon our sin and free us from fear, that we might be living reflections of your glory.
     
    Opening Hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus UMH #196
     
    Verse 1
    Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free
    From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee
    Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart
     
    Verse 2
    Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King
    Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring
    By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone
    By thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne
     
    Lighting the Advent Wreath
     
    Opening Prayer
    Loving God, in this season of Advent, where peace seems to be elusive in so many parts of our world and people live in fear, we call upon You to enter. Help us to prepare for the coming of the Prince of Peace by learning to walk in His ways. Together we await the birth of Emmanuel, God-with-us, and we open our hearts to the One who comes to teach us a new way of being. We pray in His holy name. Amen.
     
    Anthem:  How Many Kings Chancel Singers, Tracy Tambaoan, soloist
     
    Proclamation and Response
     
    Gospel Reading: Luke 1:5-25 (CEB)
     5 During the rule of King Herod of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous before God, blameless in their observance of all the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to become pregnant and they both were very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God because his priestly division was on duty. 9 Following the customs of priestly service, he was chosen by lottery to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense. 10 All the people who gathered to worship were praying outside during this hour of incense offering. 11 An angel from the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw the angel, he was startled and overcome with fear.
     13 The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayers have been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to your son and you must name him John. 14 He will be a joy and delight to you, and many people will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the Lord’s eyes. He must not drink wine and liquor. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth. 16 He will bring many Israelites back to the Lord their God. 17 He will go forth before the Lord, equipped with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and he will turn the disobedient to righteous patterns of thinking. He will make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
    18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? My wife and I are very old.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel. I stand in God’s presence. I was sent to speak to you and to bring this good news to you. 20 Know this: What I have spoken will come true at the proper time. But because you didn’t believe, you will remain silent, unable to speak until the day when these things happen.”
    21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they wondered why he was in the sanctuary for such a long time. 22 When he came out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he gestured to them and couldn’t speak. 23 When he completed the days of his priestly service, he returned home. 24 Afterward, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. She kept to herself for five months, saying, 25 “This is the Lord’s doing. He has shown his favor to me by removing my disgrace among other people.”
     
    Leader: This is the Word of God.
    All: Thanks be to God!                 
     
    A Message for Young Disciples
     
    Message: Do Not Be Afraid: Zechariah           
    Pastor Jen Eschliman
     
    Prayers of the People
    Joys & Concerns
    Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts to God
       
    Closing Song: Come Make a Place
    NS Chapel Praise Band
     
     
    Verse 1
    There in the hay Mary placed You, and Joseph kept You warm
    You just arrived and with Your first cry
    You fit right into their arms
    Just as You did in the stable, come do it all again
    There's room for You, Lord You're invited in
     
    Chorus
    Come make a place, the shape of Your love alone
    Come make a place, come make my heart Your home
    Jesus, I'm empty without You and You're ev'rything I need
    So come with Your grace, come make a place in me
     
    Verse 2
    I wasn't there at the manger the night You came to earth
    Angels appeared but I didn't hear the song that announced Your birth
    Just as the shepherds came searching and wise men came to see I come to You, trusting You'll come to me
     
    Chorus
    Come make a place, the shape of Your love alone
    Come make a place, come make my heart Your home
    Jesus, I'm empty without You and You're ev'rything I need So come with Your grace, come make a place in me
     
    Sending Forth
     
    Announcements
    Gift Card Deadline December 6
    Gift Cards for Angel Tree
    Alternative Christmas      
     
    Benediction
     
    Postlude: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
    ~Mark Hayes
     
    Song Credits:
    Opening Hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus UMH #196
    Words & Music: Public Domain 
    CCLI License # 1011499
    Anthem:  How Many Kings Chancel Singers, Tracy Tambaoan, soloist
     Jason Germain | Marc Martel | Bradley Knight
    © 2006 Centricity Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing); Germain And Martel Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Used by permission. CCLI License # 1011499
    Closing Song: Come Make a Place
    NS Chapel Praise Band
    Joel Lindsey | Sue C. Smith
    © 2004 CCTB Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.); New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.); Vacation Boy Music
    (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Used by permission. CCLI License # 1011499