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By Leon Jameson. Art and design by Lindsay Galvin. ©2013 by Creative Communications for the Parish, 1564 Fencorp Dr., Fenton, MO 63026. 800-325-9414. www.creativecommunications.com. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
Index
Introduction .............................................................................. 4-5
About the Series ........................................................................ 6-7
How To Use This Series ........................................................... 8-15
Service One: Star of Creation ................................................ 16-38
Service Two: Star of Hope ..................................................... 39-63
Service Three: Star of Unity ................................................... 64-88
Service Four: Star of Joy ...................................................... 89-113
Music Guide ..................................................................... 114-153
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Introduction
“In the beginning was the WORD …” These stirring words at the start of John’s gospel have long inspired God’s people. They testify to our Heavenly Father’s enduring presence in the fabric of human history. God’s salvation promise, Jesus Christ, was anchored in Creation, fulfilled at Bethlehem, sealed at Calvary, and remains a present hope for our future.
From the very start, from moment one, God is evident and at work in the story of His people, and John’s great proclamation, “The WORD became flesh and made his dwelling among us,” (John 1:14) assures us that God has been deeply personal in that work. Through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God entered human history, your story and mine, in the most intimate and personal way. And we know that He will come again.
And so we wait.
Advent is a season of waiting. During these four weeks we become more aware of God’s actions—past, present, and future. We encounter our very present God, present by his presence. We are assured in our Christmas waiting that Christ will come again to shine brightly among us.
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Stars, light, the bright hope of the manager, the bright light of eternal salvation; this Advent family worship service series takes moms, dads, kids, adults, grandparents, teens and your entire congregation on a journey. Guided by THE Bright Star, you will traverse the dark streets of Bethlehem and celebrate the holy birth of Jesus.
These four service guides can be used in many different ways. Ideal for midweek services, they can also be used for weekly worship, kids’ church, or even a special family Advent Sunday school series.
I’ve teamed with two Children’s Ministry and Christian Education experts (Megan Barone, DCE and Tim Wells, DCE) in developing this experiential worship resource for families. You’ll find age-appropriate materials that will connect members of all ages and draw everyone together in preparation and expectation.
Enjoy your journey to Bethlehem this Advent season to meet the Bright Star, who is for us the Star of Creation, the Star of Hope, the Star of Unity and the Star of Joy.
Rev. Leon Jameson, a pastor with a heart for families.
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About the SeriesSee the birthplace of Christ in a whole new way this Advent season with The Bright Star of Bethlehem weekly series for family worship. Each week in this series written by Leon Jameson, an active minister to families, family members of all generations will gather together in a more informal setting in the church or fellowship hall to learn more about what Jesus, the Bright Star of Bethlehem, has to reveal to parents and children alike about the blessings of creation, hope, unity and joy he came to bring. A simple order of service, a short sermon, song suggestions, and ideas for activities and crafts are included for each week.
• Week 1: Jesus comes to Bethlehem to be born a star—the Star of Creation, and the ruler over heaven and earth. Families will engage in worship that revolves around the theme of creation and how each one of us has a special place in God’s creation because of Jesus.
• Week 2: Jesus comes to Bethlehem to be the Star of Hope to a people long forsaken. Families will talk in worship about how Jesus calms all our fears and gives us hope, even when things look hopeless.
• Week 3: Jesus comes to Bethlehem to shine as the Star of Unity. Families will focus on the fact that sin divides us sometimes, but Jesus came to bring peace and harmony back into the world.
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• Week 4: Jesus comes to Bethlehem to enlighten the world as the Star of Joy. Families will celebrate the joy of knowing that Jesus turns all of our frowns upside down through his birth.
Kit includes everything you need for each service as well as a CD-ROM (Mac/PC) with the text of the entire kit in .rtf (rich text format) and a PowerPoint document of all the services with text (with a copyright release) for use on screens.
Call Creative Communications for the Parish at1-800-325-9414 for current prices and availability.
Or visit us online at www.creativecommunications.com
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Service One: Star of Creation
Order of ServiceSongs
WelcomeP Welcome to our Advent worship, a preparation for our coming Savior, the Bright Star of
Bethlehem. We are so glad you are all here to share the joy of God’s great gifts with us!
Video Introduction
InvocationP In anticipation we gather.C With expectation we wait.P We gather to watch for the coming good news to shine into our world and into our lives.C We wait to see the fullness of God’s vision.P O God, open the doors to our hearts, that this year we may have room for the birth of
Jesus.C O God, as we marvel over all that you are doing, overwhelm us with so much
wonder that words of praise spring forth from our lips!P In this time of waiting, let true worship begin in our hearts.
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C Let our praises rise up to the heavens! Let our celebrations spread new hope over all of creation! Let us gather together all our dreams and lives to worship The Bright Star of Bethlehem! Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
P Today we begin our celebration of Advent. During these four weeks leading up to Christmas, we will rejoice in the great gift that is ours in Jesus Christ, The Bright Star of Bethlehem. To help us celebrate, we will be lighting the candles of the Advent wreath. The candles signify that Jesus is the Light of the World. The evergreens remind us that he is life and brings life to us. All these are arranged in a circle because life in Christ has no end. Each week we will light an additional candle. Then on Christmas Eve, we will light all the candles, including the center one, the Christ candle. As we do, we will rejoice that Christ has come to us. He is Immanuel…God with us. On this first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Creation. Jesus is the Bright Star of Bethlehem. He is the Star of Creation. “All things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Jesus brings hope and unity and joy to all of his Creation. As the first candle is lit, I will say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” You will reply, “Come, Star of Creation!” Then we will sing a song of praise to our Creator.
P Come, Lord Jesus.C Come, Star of Creation!
Song ............................................................O Heilige Dreifaltigkeit LM
Creator of the stars of night,Thy people’s everlasting Light;O Christ, Redeemer, save us all
And hear thy servants when they call.
To God the Father and the SonAnd Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Praise, honor, might and glory beFrom age to age eternally.
Call To WorshipP Now is the time of watching and waiting, the time of expectation and wonder. Now is the
season of unfolding, the season when hope is waiting to be born. We gather in celebration.Children: Star light, star bright,
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Adults: We come in the Father’s name tonight.Children: Star light, star bright,Adults: We come in the Savior’s name tonight.Children: Star light, star bright,Adults: We come in the Spirit’s name tonight.P Now is the time of watching and waiting for love enfleshed, for the Savior of the world,
for the Bright Star of Bethlehem.
Opening Prayer
P Loving God, in this season of evergreens and stars, we long to see the Star of Creation. We pray that, by your grace, we may develop faith that’s ever living, As we await the One born to be with us, enable us to grow in appreciation of our own humanity, made in your image. Immanuel, as we wait for your return, help us see your glory and love through the reading and preaching of your Word.
C We pray in your name. Amen.
Confession and Absolution
P Through Jesus, we live new lives and understand our sins through His sacrifice on the cross. Scripture reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Scripture calls us to repentance. We speak our confession responsively. Lord God, our lives are darkened with sin.
Families: We need a Savior to come. Men: For our worry and our scurrying this Advent season, forgive us. Women: For the way we make this a season of shopping rather than waiting, forgive us. Men: For the security and comfort we seek from sources other than you, forgive us. Women: For our indifference to the wonder of your coming, forgive us. P Lord God, our lives are darkened with sin.Families: We need a Savior to come. Men: For our reluctance to love, forgive us.Women: For ignoring you, forgive us.Men: For taking for granted all the good gifts you give us, forgive us.Women: For times when our faith is absent, forgive us.P Lord God, our lives are darkened with sin.Families: We need a Savior to come. P People of God: Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose coming we announce in this season, is our
righteousness. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we are made right with God. The good news of this Advent season is forgiveness of sin and new life.
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Song ..................................................... Veni, Emmanuel LM and refrain
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, freeThine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Scripture ................................................................................ John 1:1-3
P In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
Song
Video
Message
Sharing of the Take-Home Activity
Family Advent Craft Presentation
Family Conversation
Offering
Offering Prayer(with children in mind, after the offering is brought forward)
P What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, C I would bring a lamb.P If I were a wise man, C I would do my part.P Yet what I can, I give him, C I’ll give him my heart.
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Craft Offering(crafts made during the event are brought forward)
Closing Prayer
P Glorious God, Your Son Jesus Christ is the bright Morning Star, the Star of Creation, the one who brings the light of Your love and forgiveness to a fallen world. Help us celebrate your gifts to us this coming Christmas and always. Open our eyes to see the many opportunities you give us to tell others the wonderful news that Jesus is our Savior and Lord. In his name we pray. Amen.
Benediction
P May Jesus, the Star of Creation, shine out in your lives. May God the Father, the Son—the Bright Star of Bethlehem—and the Holy Spirit bless you now and forever. Amen.
Closing Song ...................................Gott Ist Die Liebe 55 54 and refrain
God loves me dearly, grants me salvation,God loves me dearly, loves even me.
Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly,Loves even me.
He sent forth Jesus, my dear Redeemer,He sent forth Jesus and set me free.
Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly,Loves even me.
Star of Creation, the Father’s glory,Who lived among us, and lives in me.
Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly,Loves even me.
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Service One: Star of Creation
Complete Script For Worship Leaders• Songs are sung by the congregation, following these guidelines:
The option for “Songs” is a creative invitation for participants to choose what to sing from a list of Advent-themed songs. This approach is especially effective with children, actively involving them in the flow of the service.
Optional Advent “Song Choice” list (offer the same list each week or vary your list):
“God of Wonders” by Paul Baloche “Here I am to Worship” by Tim Hughes“You Are Holy (Prince of Peace)” by Michael W. Smith“O Come, Little Children” by Christoph von Schmid “God Loves Me Dearly” by August Rische“Soon and Very Soon” by Andrea Crouch “Joy to the World”“Away In a Manger”“O Come All Ye Faithful”
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• A Welcome is read by the pastor or other worship leader:P Welcome to our Advent worship, a preparation for our coming Savior, the Bright Star of
Bethlehem. We are so glad you are all here to share the joy of God’s great gifts with us!
• A Video Introduction is presented on a screen:Show the video “Light of Christmas Worship Intro” by Motion Worship, found at http://www.
worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/35723/Light-Of-Christmas-Worship-Intro
Note to Worship Leaders: This energetic Christmas worship intro alternates between verses from John 1 and Isaiah 9 that speak about the coming of Christ. The video features music set to the classic Christmas hymn, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” alongside powerful visuals, including the Nativity, Bethlehem, shepherds, wise men, and finishing with an image of the star shining above earth.
• A Invocation is read responsively by the pastor and the congregation:P In anticipation we gather.C With expectation we wait.P We gather to watch for the coming good news to shine into our world and into our lives.C We wait to see the fullness of God’s vision.P O God, open the doors to our hearts, that this year we may have room for the birth of
Jesus.C O God, as we marvel over all that you are doing, overwhelm us with so much
wonder that words of praise spring forth from our lips!P In this time of waiting, let true worship begin in our hearts.C Let our praises rise up to the heavens! Let our celebrations spread new hope over
Star of Creation! Let us gather together all our dreams and lives to worship The Bright Star of Bethlehem! Amen.
• The Lighting of the Advent Wreath is read responsively by the pastor and the congregation:
P Today we begin our celebration of Advent. During these four weeks leading up to Christmas, we will rejoice in the great gift that is ours in Jesus Christ, The Bright Star of Bethlehem. To help us celebrate, we will be lighting the candles of the Advent wreath. The candles signify that Jesus is the Light of the World. The evergreens remind us that he is life and brings life to us. All these are arranged in a circle because life in Christ has no end. Each week we will light an additional candle. Then on Christmas Eve, we will light all the candles, including the center one, the Christ candle. As we do, we will rejoice that Christ
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has come to us. He is Immanuel…God with us. On this first Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Creation. Jesus is the Bright Star of Bethlehem. He is the Star of Creation. “All things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Jesus brings hope and unity and joy to all of his Creation. As the first candle is lit, I will say, “Come, Lord Jesus.” You will reply, “Come, Star of Creation!” Then we will sing a song of praise to our Creator.
P Come, Lord Jesus.C Come, Star of Creation!
• A Song is sung by the congregation to the tune O Heilige Dreifaltigkeit LM:
Creator of the stars of night,Thy people’s everlasting Light;O Christ, Redeemer, save us all
And hear thy servants when they call.
To God the Father and the SonAnd Holy Spirit, Three in One,
Praise, honor, might and glory beFrom age to age eternally.
• The Call To Worship is read responsively by the pastor, adults and children:P Now is the time of watching and waiting. The time of expectation and wonder. Now is the
season of unfolding. The season when hope is waiting to be born. We gather in celebration.Children: Star light, star bright,Adults: We come in the Father’s name tonight.Children: Star light, star bright,Adults: We come in the Savior’s name tonight.Children: Star light, star bright,Adults: We come in the Spirit’s name tonight.P Now is the time of watching and waiting for love enfleshed, for the Savior of the world,
for the Bright Star of Bethlehem.
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• The Opening Prayer below is read responsively by the pastor and the congregation:
P Loving God, in this season of evergreens and stars, we long to see the Star of Creation. We pray that, by your grace, we may develop faith that’s ever living, As we await the One born to be with us, enable us to grow in appreciation of our own humanity, made in your image. Immanuel, as we wait for your return, help us see your glory and love through the reading and preaching of your Word.
C We pray in your name. Amen.
• The Confession and Absolution is read responsively by the pastor, families, men and women:
P Through Jesus, we live new lives and understand our sins through his sacrifice on the cross. Scripture reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Scripture calls us to repentance. We speak our confession responsively. Lord God, our lives are darkened with sin.
Families: We need a Savior to come. Men: For our worry and our scurrying this Advent season, forgive us. Women: For the way we make this a season of shopping rather than waiting, forgive us. Men: For the security and comfort we seek from sources other than you, forgive us. Women: For our indifference to the wonder of your coming, forgive us. P Lord God, our lives are darkened with sin.Families: We need a Savior to come. Men: For our reluctance to love, forgive us.Women: For ignoring you, forgive us.Men: For taking for granted all the good gifts you give us, forgive us.Women: For times when our faith is absent, forgive us.P Lord God, our lives are darkened with sin.Families: We need a Savior to come. P People of God: Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose coming we announce in this season, is our
righteousness. Through Christ’s death on the cross, we are made right with God. The good news of this Advent season is forgiveness of sin and new life. Amen.
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• A Song is sung by the congregation to the tune Veni, Emmanuel LM and refrain:
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, freeThine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
• The Scripture, John 1:1-3, is read by the pastor or other worship leader:
P In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
• A Song is sung by the congregation:
Sing “Jesus, Name Above All Names” by Naida Hearn (The use of this song is licensed under CCLI at www.ccli.com) or sing this verse of the traditional hymn “Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel,” which is in
the public domain (below).
Tune ..................................................... Veni, Emmanuel LM and refrain
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
• A Video is presented on a screen:Show the video “Presence” by Dan Stevers,
found at http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/34541/Presence:
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• A Message is delivered by the pastor:
P A group of first graders got together and decided to write their own version of the Nativity. It was more modern than the traditional drama. Oh, there were the familiar members of the cast: Joseph, the shepherds, the three Wise Men, the star and an angel propped up in the background. But Mary was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly from behind some bales of hay could be heard some soft moans and groans. Evidently Mary was in labor.
Soon a doctor arrived dressed in a white coat with a stethoscope around his neck. Joseph, with a look of relief on his face takes the doctor straight to Mary, then starts pacing back and forth. After a few moments the “doctor” emerges with a big smile on his face. “Congratulations, Joseph,” he says, “It’s a God!”
Read with me from the first chapter of John’s gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Something incredible occurred when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, something
beyond our comprehension, beyond our imagination. And nothing like it has happened since. Can you make an “incredible face” with me? (Encourage children and families to make an “incredible” expression on their face.)
In our text today, John reveals to us that the Word, the power, the reason that orders and
controls the world, God himself, “has become flesh and dwells among us.” In church terms we call this amazing revelation the incarnation. Say that with me “in-
carn-ation.” Incarnation… I know it’s a big word. Incarnation literally means embodied in flesh or
taking on flesh. It’s a word that is central to our celebration of Christmas and central to our faith. The incarnation means that in Jesus, God stepped down from heaven and by His divine choosing immersed Himself in our humanity.
Think about it. God came to us clothed in human flesh. He wrapped our injured flesh around His perfect being.
God, who had seemed so distant came near. He went from the throne of heaven to a
feeding trough. He went from the presence of angels to a cave filled with animals. He who
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Tune ....................................... Gott Ist Die Liebe 55 54 and refrain
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P And for our closing song use your “Joyful Noise Maker” as we celebrate the joy we have knowing that Jesus has come as our Savior.
• The Closing Song is sung by the congregation, along with the joyful noisemakers, to the tune Gott Ist Die Liebe 55 54 and refrain:
God loves me dearly, grants me salvation, God loves me dearly, loves even me.Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, loves even me.
He sent forth Jesus, my dear Redeemer, he sent forth Jesus and set me free.Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, loves even me.
Star of Creation, the Father’s glory, who lived among us, and lives in me. Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, loves even me.
Hope’s Star is shining, he shines with promise, hope’s Star is shining, he shines for me. Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, loves even me.
A Star united with all who love him, a Star among us, at one with me. Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, loves even me.
Star of rejoicing, joy of the Father! Star of rejoicing, fill me with joy! Therefore I’ll say again: God loves me dearly, God loves me dearly, loves even me.Crea
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