Isaiah 55:1-13, John 4:13-14

Narrative Lectionary, Year 4, Week 14
Dec. 12, 2021
Isaiah 55:1-13, John 4:13-14

Opening Prayer
Our Great God in Heaven:
We come to this place seeking you.  But your Scripture says we can only find you in the places where you are to be found.  Therefore, we invite your Holy Spirit into this place.  We want to return to your ways and thoughts in the coming hour as we worship your Son, the Witness to the People.  In His Name, Amen.

Advent Wreath Lighting & Reading
Option 1

Mom: I think its Dad’s turn to open something next.  Here sweetie, open this present that we chose for you.
Dad: Wow, I wonder what it is.
Child: Wait, maybe you can guess.   I’ll give you a clue.  What can make something that never speaks and never move.  Yet the thing it makes will forever be a witness to a moment in time and can tell a story that is one thousand words long.
Dad:  Hmmm… [thinking] Oh, I’ve got it!  A camera! [unwrapping a camera excitedly]
Mom: Yes, so that we can take pictures that witness to the important things in life.
Child: Just like the prophets who heard from God and the people who saw Jesus witnessed to others in the words of the Bible about all the things they heard.

Dad: Just like we should do also when we tell people that Jesus is a like fountain of water that always is flowing because He always wants to give eternal life.

Option 2
Person 1: One of my favorite parts about being in the sanctuary is looking at the stained glass.
Person 2: Me too!  Did you know that one of the reasons that churches originally had stained glass was because the people were illiterate and the windows were meant to tell the story of the Bible?ast
Person 1: No, I didn’t!  But that makes sense.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
Person 2: But is it really?  It is just a snapshot of the event that it is meant to record.
Person 1: Well yes, but if you don’t know what it records, you could probably make up a story that has a thousand words about the picture.
Person 2: Yes, I guess that’s true.
Person 1: Hey, let’s light these three Advent candles.  Perhaps someone will take a picture of us as we do it and maybe someday someone will make up a story worth a thousand words about that.
(Light the candles while the pastor photographs it.)
Person 2: Oh, I hope that the story is a witness to the faith of this congregation!
(With permission of participants, photo will be shared to social media!)

Prayer of Preparation
Jesus, who is the Giver of Water that Forever Quenches Thirst: let us focus ourselves now on the things that will reveal your thoughts and ways. Let the words we hear not return you void, but let them accomplish what you please and prosper the things for which you have sent it.  Amen.

Offering Prayer
O Lord our God: as your covenant people, it is our hope and desire to work towards the mission of having every nation knowing you and running to you.  We want them to have water, milk, and bread so they can delight in abundance.  May the gifts we give to your church today enable this to happen.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Intercessory Prayer
Our God, the Water of Life:
Many in our world are thirsty for what quenches their thirst;
many in our world are hungry for what fills their bellies.
This is both quite literal and spiritual and so we come to you in prayer for these people.
But, first we ask that we would be the hands and feet of you, O Lord, so that the work of this church will bring abundant life.
We pray today for all in need of water and bread.
Lord God, feed those who are hungry; and, Lord God, give water to those who are thirsty by providing for their physical needs of sustenance.
Lord God, feed those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Lord God, feed those who hunger and thirst for healing of physical illness.
Lord God, feed those who hunger and thirst for the balm to mental illness.
Lord God, feed those who hunger and thirst for an ease of pain from grief.
Lord God, feed those who hunger and thirst for justice.
Lord God, feed those who hunger and thirst for freedom.
Lord God, feed all who hunger and thirst for whatever needs they have.
In the name of Jesus Christ who taught us his prayer: Our Father… Amen.

Benediction
Our Lord promised that one would come who would be a witness.
He has come and He will come again.
In the meantime, be a witness for our thirst-quenching God.
Tell of the blessing of Father, Son, and Spirit.
AMEN