GATHERING FOR WORSHIP 

As the bell sounds, may we quiet ourselves and allow the music of the  prelude to lead us into a worshipful place in our hearts and minds. 

* Please stand in body or in spirit 

Prelude Prelude: Carol of the Bells 

Ukrainian Carol, arr. Melody Bober 

Welcome and Announcements 

Choral Introit 

Call to Worship Isaiah 9:6  

Leader: For to us a child is born,  

People: to us a son is given; 

Leader: and the government shall be upon his shoulder,  

People: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Leader: Mighty God, Everlasting Father,  

People: Prince of Peace. 

*Opening Hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel 

1. O come, Desire of nations, bind - all peoples in one heart and mind; bid envy, strife and quarrels cease; fill the whole world with heaven's peace. Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

2. O come and bring your peace upon the earth That even now still  longs for its rebirth. We seek to live and move in your ways. Guide us to  peace and justice all our days. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to us  And all things shall be well. 

At the Advent Wreath  

Candle-lighter: Today we light the candle of PEACE in silence, as we take  a moment to ponder: Where in the world do we find Peace these days? 

Moment of Silence 

Advent Prayer of Invocation (In Unison) 

Candle-lighter: Let us pray together… 

Come quickly, Shalom; teach us how to prepare for a gift that  compels us with justice to care. Our spirits are restless till sin and  war cease. One candle is lit for the reign of God's peace. Amen.

SHARING GOD’S WORD 

Scripture Reading Mark 1:1-8 (Pew Bible Pg 812 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord.  

People: Thanks be to God. 

Musical Interlude 

  THE COMMUNITY AT PRAYER 

Sharing of Joys and Concerns 

Call to Prayer (#134) Emmanuel, Emmanuel 

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.  

God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.

Pastoral Prayer 

The Lord’s Prayer 

Our Father, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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 of Preparation It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

 SERMON EVERY TIME A BELL RINGS . . . 

THE SERVICE OF OFFERING 

Collection and Offertory  

*The Doxology (#46) 

* Unison Prayer of Dedication 

As the Angel proclaimed, “Glory to God . . and peace on earth,” we  present our gifts to you. Along with our lives, we dedicate these gifts to  the increase of your light of peace in all lives. May your son still be the  light in our worlds of darkness. In his name we pray. Amen.

WE GO FORTH TO SERVE 

*Hymn of Parting Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Benediction (Romans 15:13) 

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that  you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

All: And now, may we bear fruit as we go forth in peace to love and  serve the Lord. In the name of Christ. Amen. 

Congregational Response Go Now in Peace 

Go now in peace. Never be afraid, God will go with you each hour of every  day. Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true. Know He will guide you in  all you do. Go now in love, and show you believe. Reach out to others so all the world can see. God will be there, watching from above. Go now in  peace, in faith, and in love. 

Postlude Ding Dong Merrily on High 

16 Century French Carol, arr. Martha Mier

I'm sure many of you recognize the reference in the title for this sermon.  “Every time a bell rings, it means an angel has just earned its wings."  One of my favorite movies of the season: From 1946, “It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reed.

At the opening of the movie, prayers are ascending from Bedford Falls concerning a beloved man by the name of George Bailey.

Two angels are talking and decide to send the next angel in line to help: Clarence Odbody

Clarence: You sent for me, sir?

Angel: Yes, Clarence.  A man down on earth needs our help.
Clarence: Is he sick?

Angel: No, worse - he’s discouraged.

Clarence:  Uhh, sir, if I should accomplish this mission, might I perhaps win my wings? I’ve been waiting for over 200 years.

Angel: Clarence, you do a good job with George Bailey and you’ll get your wings.

Then, at the end, as a bell on the christmas tree starts ringing, little daughter Zuzu says: Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.

George Bailey : That's right, that's right. [Looks heavenward]  Attaboy, Clarence.

As we begin week two of our Advent journeys, we continue our efforts at preparation.  This is indeed a time for many of us, with too much to do.  In preparing, we tend to get caught up in all the hype that's spinning around us.  A few have learned the art of slowing down, gliding through the season with grace and ease and a true sense of peace.  But most of us, either type “A’s" or high energy, find the stress level rising.

How sad that is.  To be sure, we're often thinking of others and how to best reach out to them, yet we often lose touch with the source and the goal with which we so desperately seek to connect.

Since the invitation and the energy are already focused outward, perhaps we can find a little peace if we re-envision our role.

From a place of inner peace, to see ourselves as God’s messengers, angels unaware.

  The Scriptures give us some blueprints of several messengers involved in this very pivotal event in human history - the birth of the Son of God.

  Old Testament prophets:

  Isaiah:

  promises comfort and release - things are going to be changing for the better

  ascribes several titles - all having to do with the best life has to offer: peace, wisdom, understanding, justice, 

  Micah - predicts Bethlehem as the location of this very special event - where the wise men got their information.

  In the New Testament, John the Baptist, a messenger announcing that change was close at hand

  Lived in the wilderness;

  Clothed in camel hair with a leather belt around his waist;

  Ate locusts and wild honey! What an odd fellow.

His very lifestyle spoke of protest and “there is another way" to those seeking a new, more meaningful relationship with God.

  Angels:

  Angel Gabriel visits Mary - bringing news that she has been picked to carry out a very special mission.  Her life will have a deep and powerful impact.

  The heavenly host with the Shepherds singing and announcing the birth of one who would re-shape the lives of millions.

  Besides preparing the way for Christmas in our own lives, we might also see as part of that charge, ourselves being messengers to those with whom we come in contact.

  Like Isaiah:

  In sensing the hurt and anguish of those around us, we can offer gentle and honest words of comfort and hope that “this, too, shall pass."

  Or we might share with them names of those who might offer the help they may be needing: someone with an understanding, listening ear, or another with a happy go-lucky disposition, a peaceful presence, a sense of fairness, a savior.

.  Like Micah we might be the messenger able to offer them a special location to find that special present, to find that inspiring concert, play, message.

  Like John the Baptist, we may be the messenger pointing the way to that new experience of awe, the presence of God, that new hymn  Change is a good thing from time to time.

  Like the Angel Gabriel we may be able to show someone their unique gift and status in the world.  You have been selected!

  Like the Angel Chorus, singing songs with a group of friends we may bring joy through music - our choir, singing as a congregation (Xmas Carols - before Xmas?!).  For a moment, next Sunday during the Cantata? - lives will be transported, perhaps even changed.

We can all be messengers to a needy world - by just being ourselves, but by making our real and deepest selves available.  Play upon our strengths and help make this world a better place - “Peace on earth”, bringing the news in our own unique ways, that God is very close to us - for unto you is born, this day . .

  We are all charged with finding the Spirit of Christmas and passing it along

  Clarence was the angel, sent to help George Bailey find his sense of self-worth

  We are all messengers, to be sure - whether we're trying to be or not - as poet Paul Gilbert writes:

We are writing a Gospel,

A chapter each day,

By the deeds that we do,

The words that we say.

Folks read what we write, 

Whether faithless or true.

Say, what is the Gospel

According to me or to you?

  As Christians, the question we are called to reflect upon is: exactly what message do our words, actions and lives convey to a needy world?

If my life speaks to the concern or the need out there in a way consistent with God's love and justice, then I am God's messenger - in that moment in time.  

And the credit is applied to those wings we may hope to receive!

Be at peace and listen for the bells that ring all around us and let them bring to mind our call to strive to be the best we can be - earning our own wings! Time to ring some bells of our own for a neady world.

Each year as Christmas comes around once again, we all seek to discover that unique message for us this year.  Let us also call to mind that we, like Isaiah, John, Gabriel and all the heavenly host, may just have a message or two from God to share.

In this season of Advent, we can all strive to be God's messengers: make our words, our actions, and our lives messages of hope and peace and joy and love.

Every time a bell rings . .

John Denver and the Muppets’ Christmas Special, 1979

John, singing with Kermit the Frog:

I don't know if you believe in Christmas

Or if you have presents underneath the Christmas tree

But if you believe in love, that will be more than enough

For you to come and celebrate with me.

For I have held the precious gift that love brings.

Even though I never saw a Christmas star,

I know there is a light, I have felt it burn inside.

And I have seen it shining from afar.

Christmas is the time to come together

a time to put all differences aside;

And I reach out my hand to the family of man

To share the joy I feel at Christmas time.

For the truth that binds us all together

I would like to say a simple prayer

That at this special time

you will have true peace of mind

And love to last throughout the coming year.

And if you believe in love, that will be more than enough

For peace to last throughout the coming year;

And peace on earth will last throughout the year.