Advent by Candlelight - December 8, 2025
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Prelude
Malia Huntsman
Words of Welcome
Pastor Julie Krahn
Opening Litany
Leader: When doubt or sorrow fills the soul,
Cong: Come, O longed for promised Word.
Leader: When lies and falsehoods take their hold,
Cong: Come, O Truth that must be heard.
Leader: When fear is stirred with words of hate,
Cong: Come, O perfect Love to reign.
Leader: Our hearts with fervent hope await:
Cong: Come, O Christ be born again.
Carol
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” 257, vs. 1 and 6
WONDER-FUL BEGINNINGS
Poem
Beginning Again, Advent Prayer by David Long-Higgins
Loving God,
Thank-you for the gift...
Meditation in Silence: Pondering in Prayer
What intention to you have for this Advent season. Wonder together with God.
WONDER-FUL INCARNATION
Reading: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders,
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Great will be his authority,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onward and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Poem
Embodied Wonder by Jonathan Haefs
In the beginning
In the dark
You spoke that we might see...
Prayer
Dear Jesus, you were born into the darkness, now you are the hope in our messy world. This Advent help us slow down, listen to your voice, and focus on what’s really important so that we may bring you to birth here, now. Amen.
Meditation in Silence: Pondering in Prayer
How will you embody Jesus tomorrow?
Carol
“All Earth is Hopeful” #266, vs 1 and 2
WONDER-FUL VISION
Reading: Isaiah 11:1-6
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see
or decide by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor
and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The wolf shall live with the lamb;
the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the lion will feed together,
and a little child shall lead them.
Poem
There is a Dream by Thomas Mousin
There is a dream, there is a place
where justice and peace forever embrace...
Prayer
Dear Jesus, you entered our world on Christmas as the Prince of Peace. This Advent, as we strive to become the-best-version-of-ourselves, fill us with a deep and abiding peace. Help us to wonder how we might make peace. Peace in our hearts, Peace in our homes, Peace in our communities. Amen.
Meditation in Silence: Pondering in Prayer
How does this season of waiting and wondering encourage you to make peace?
Carol
“Love Has Come” #292 vs. 1, 2, & 3
WONDER-FUL ADVENT
Poem
Advent: The House is a Mess
Nothing is in its place,
Some things are missing.
I’ll never be ready –
But help is on the way.
The Message
Pastor Julie Krahn
Carol
“Come Now, O Prince of Peace” #247, vs. 1 & 4
Litany of Wonder
Leader: Gracious God, in our Advent journey, open our hearts to your presence, which is both a mystery and a wonder.
Cong: We pray for our world to be filled with wonder.
Leader: We turn to you now, acknowledging the darkness that exists within us and around the world.
Cong: We ask for your light to break through.
Leader: We pray for your peace to be present in our world—in the midst of conflict, for the victims of war, for refugees, and for all who are suffering.
Cong: Give us your peace, O Lord.
Leader: We pray for justice and respect for all people, and for our own lives to be transformed so that we can be peacemakers.
Cong: We pray for transformation and the ability to do justice.
Leader: We give thanks for the gift of your Son, who came to us as a vulnerable infant in a manger. We ask that our hearts might be renewed with that same childlike wonder of his first coming.
Cong: Restore the wonder of Jesus’ birth in our hearts.
Leader: Empower us to reach out in love to the forsaken and the oppressed, and to live with hope in your promises.
Cong: We wait in hope for the Lord.
Leader: May we be found waiting in expectation when he comes, ready to receive the greatest gift of all.
Cong: Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Offering
“I Wonder as I Wander” Deanna Heise
WONDER-FUL ANTICIPATION
Reading: Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born[d] will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Poem
After Annunciation by Madeleine L’Engle
This is the irrational season...
Prayer
Dear God, Mary was filled with wonder, astonishment, willingness. This Advent fill us with your Spirit as you filled Mary. Help us to be open to your surprises, make room for you in our lives, and serve willingly. Amen.
Meditation in Silence: Pondering in Prayer
Where will you answer, “here am I, the servant of the Lord”?
WONDER-FUL ARRIVAL
Reading: Luke 2:1-7
A reading from Luke: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Poem
The Coming by Ronald Stuart Thomas
And God held in his hand
A small globe. Look he said.
The son looked...
Prayer
Dear God, You arrive in a world in desperate need. Help us see your way, your truth. Empower us to enter in, to take a risk, to love. Amen.
Meditation in Silence: Pondering in Prayer
Wonder where God might be asking you to take a risk?
Carol
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” #254
WONDER-FUL BIRTH
Reading: Luke 2:8-20
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Poem
First Coming by Madeleine L’Engle
He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace...
Prayer
Dear Jesus, in you we take delight.We want to wait actively, filled with wonder, compassion and rejoicing. Fill us with wonder-filled joy in the face of apathy, joy in the face of sorrow, joy in the face of uncertainty. Amen.
Meditation in Silence: Pondering in Prayer
Where might God be asking to wait actively, with joy?
Carol
“Joy to the World” #267, vs 1 and 2
THE WONDER-FUL LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Reading: John 1:1-5, 9
A reading from John: 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 came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
LIGHTING OF INDIVIDUAL CANDLES
Carol
“Silent Night” #281 v. 1-3
A WONDER-FUL BENEDICTION
Be people of wonder.
Let wonder live in your heart and share the wonder of the Christ-child with all you meet.
Share this wonder by noticing someone else’s humanity.
Share this wonder by listening to someone’s story.
Share this wonder by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, may you see, feel, and share this wonder.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations, covered by the cross of Christ, share this wonder with those you meet. Amen.
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You are invited into Friendship Hall for more fellowship and a dessert buffet.
Mark your calendars, this years Women’s Winter Retreat is January 30-February 1. Join us to rest, recharge, and connect with others at the beloved Fort Wilderness Retreat just north of Rhinelander. There will be prayer and fellowship along with all the activities we can enjoy, including cross-country skiing, ice skating, broomball, inner tubing, horseback rides, and sleigh rides. Sign-up at The Hub.