Echoes of Mercy
Whispers of Love (Advent)
Making Room for God in Your Season - Modern
January 1, 2023 • Rev. Becky Holland • Ecclesiastes 3:1–13
A new day has dawned, a new year begun O Lord, call us so we may hear Your voice The world turns to hopes and dreams of the future O Lord, keep us in Your ways and on Your path We enter this new year with hope and excitement O Lord, remind us that You lead us O Lord, guide us as we look to You and worship You. Amen.
Making Room for God in Your Season - Traditional
January 1, 2023 • Rev. Becky Holland • Ecclesiastes 3:1–13
A new day has dawned, a new year begun O Lord, call us so we may hear Your voice The world turns to hopes and dreams of the future O Lord, keep us in Your ways and on Your path We enter this new year with hope and excitement O Lord, remind us that You lead us O Lord, guide us as we look to You and worship You. Amen.
** Anticipation ** AUDIO BEGINS WITH SCRIPTURE **
December 25, 2022 • Rev. Tommy Markham
Lord, we, your wayward children, find ourselves worn out from all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas. We hardly have time to realize why we were doing what we were doing. Well, it is too late to do anything but relax in the recliner, meditate on the birth narratives, and ask forgiveness for rushing to the season. Our preoccupation with making others happy is the Christmas tradition. Let Jesus be born anew in each of our family and friends and in you and me. Amen
From Angels to Shepherds to Us - Christmas Eve 7pm
December 24, 2022 • Rev. Brian Sixbey • Luke 2:1–20
We light the Christ candle to celebrate Christ among us! Just as this light will be multiplied in our presence, so may God’s presence be multiplied through our thoughts, words, and deeds tonight and through our lives.
The Name Angels Love to Sing - Modern
December 18, 2022 • Rev. Brian Sixbey • Isaiah 7:10–16, Matthew 1:18–25
Christmas is barreling towards us again! We confess our thoughts are more about being ready for the celebrations of the season than they are about being ready for Jesus’ return. Help us spiritually hold a place for Jesus at every table, at every event, in every moment, so that he can lead us into a new way of life, one that is filled with the grace and truth Jesus came to give us, for we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen
The Name Angels Love to Sing - Traditional
December 18, 2022 • Rev. Brian Sixbey • Isaiah 7:10–16, Matthew 1:18–25
Christmas is barreling towards us again! We confess our thoughts are more about being ready for the celebrations of the season than they are about being ready for Jesus’ return. Help us spiritually hold a place for Jesus at every table, at every event, in every moment, so that he can lead us into a new way of life, one that is filled with the grace and truth Jesus came to give us, for we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen
The Yes Heard Around the World - Modern
December 11, 2022 • Rev. Brian Sixbey • Isaiah 35, Luke 1:46–55
Today, we pause to give thanks for Mary for saying “yes” to the challenge of bearing Jesus, a yes that forever changed her life and our lives as well. We frequently underestimate the power of a simple act of love and devotion and so, we misjudge just how powerfully God can move through an obedient servant. May we learn to value God’s grace and grow in obedience so that God can move through us as well, for we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen
The Yes Heard Around the World - Traditional
December 11, 2022 • Rev. Brian Sixbey • Isaiah 35, Luke 1:46–55
Today, we pause to give thanks for Mary for saying “yes” to the challenge of bearing Jesus, a yes that forever changed her life and our lives as well. We frequently underestimate the power of a simple act of love and devotion and so, we misjudge just how powerfully God can move through an obedient servant. May we learn to value God’s grace and grow in obedience so that God can move through us as well, for we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen
Fiery Words of Hope & Challenge - Modern
December 4, 2022 • Rev. Brian Sixbey • Matthew 3:1–12, Isaiah 11:1–9
“In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea proclaiming. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” And “bear fruit worthy of repentance” We light these candles, the candle of joyful hope and the candle of proclaimed peace to remind ourselves that we are a people rising toward God’s promise. We also light them as a sign to the world, that some hold on to hope and some who work the ways of peace. We stand as a sign that “God with us” is still our fervent prayer.
Fiery Words of Hope & Challenge - Traditional
December 4, 2022 • Rev. Brian Sixbey • Matthew 3:1–12, Isaiah 11:1–9
“In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea proclaiming. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” And “bear fruit worthy of repentance” We light these candles, the candle of joyful hope and the candle of proclaimed peace to remind ourselves that we are a people rising toward God’s promise. We also light them as a sign to the world, that some hold on to hope and some who work the ways of peace. We stand as a sign that “God with us” is still our fervent prayer.
Missionary to Macedonia - Modern
November 27, 2022 • Jennifer Moore • 2 Timothy 3:14–15
Lord of all creation, we confess that we are often self-absorbed. We don’t often consider what is going on down the road, much less what is happening around the world. As we learn about the church and the people of North Macedonia today, open our eyes to see, celebrate, and get involved in the worldwide church, from here to Navajo country to Macedonia, and throughout the world, for we pray in the name of Christ, who has given his life for all. Amen