4th Sunday of Advent / Love
December 18, 2022
Ask A Sign

CALL TO WORSHIP
One:	We come seeking a sign from You, the One who sits upon the throne.
All:	Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
One:	We come seeking to worship You, the One who dwells with us always.
All:	Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
One:	We come seeking to witness your might, a child to be born in a coming night.
All:	Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

-	Inspired by Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

INVOCATION
God of love—
Ferocious love, fierce love, unending love, everlasting love—
We gather in place with gratitude for the ways your love has
Called us out of bleakest and into your marvelous.
We know of your renown, and we stand in awe of your work.
In our own time revive it; in our own time make it known.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel.
Stir up your might in this place.
Give us life, and we will call on your name
as we worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen.

-	Inspired by Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

INVITATION TO CONFESSION 
Leader: 
We gather together in this season of Advent
anticipating hope, praying for peace, attempting to cultivate joy and share love 
amidst commotion, grief, despair and uncertainty.

Moment of silence

God, our shepherd—Restorer of our souls,
In a world full of hopelessness, 
We have sometimes forgotten that you have shown your hope in endless ways.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may know your hope.

In the mirey mess of the world, 
We have sometimes neglected to lean into you peace that transcends comprehension.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may know your peace. 
In a culture shrouded in doom and despair, 
We have often forgotten how to fight for our joy.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may know your joy.
In a moment when it is easier to hate others because they believe differently,
Love differently, live differently, vote differently—we have forgotten how to love beyond the bounds of what separates us.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may know your love.
Stimulate our memory, O divine Creator.
Remind us that even in our weakness, you are mighty.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Leader: 
God has never left us nor forsaken us.
God is Emmanuel inn the face of crisis, 
Emmanuel, in the midst of calamity
Emmanuel, in the presence of tribulation.
God with us, Helping our unbelief, Bringing us back to life, 
Reminding us that we are light. Let that be good news.

OFFERING
Leader: We believe in the God of justice and righteousness, and God believes in us to carry forth the mission of loving and caring for community. Let us now share our gifts and resources so that we may continue to walk humbly with God and with neighbors.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION
We dedicate these gifts that have been shared for the fortification of the beloved community. Let these gifts do justice in the world so that all may know they are loved by God. Amen.

BENEDICTION
Go forth knowing that you are loved by God
Go forth leading a life that is a sign of God’s grace.
Go forth with anticipation for the restoration that is to come.
And in that going,
May God bless and keep you 
May God’s face shine upon you 
May God be gracious to you 
And give you peace. 
Amen.
MUSIC SUGGESTIONS FOR WORSHIP SERVICE:
God Is Truly With Us					The New Century Hymnal #68
Now Bless the God of Israel				The New Century Hymnal #110
Toda la Tierra						The New Century Hymnal #121

Ask a Sign: Service Prayers for the Fourth Sunday in Advent were written by Rev. Mia M. McClain is the Senior Pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Washington D.C. She is an ordained UCC minister.