MCC Advent Resource Kit November, 2005 Contents First Sunday of Advent Worship Aids Second Sunday of Advent Worship Aids Third Sunday of Advent Worship Aids Fourth Sunday of Advent Worship Aids Helpful Links/Additional Information Press Release/Public Statement Samples Direct Mail Examples Advent Activity Suggestions First Sunday of Advent (Purple or Blue) November 27, 2005 Scriptures Isaiah 64:1-9 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence-- 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil-- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8 Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people. (NRSV) Psalm 80:1-7 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2 before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! 3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. 4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. 6 You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved….17 But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself. 18 Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. 19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. (NRSV) 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-- 6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-- 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (NRSV) Mark 13:24-37 24 "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake-- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake." (NRSV) Sermon Preparation Help: http://www.textweek.com/yearb/adventb1.htm Children’s Sermon, “Jill Stayed Up for a Surprise” (2nd Reading): http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/B/1-Advent-b/K-1Advent-b.html Children’s Activity – Angel Coloring pages: http://www.coloring.ws/angels.htm Music: Potter’s Hand; Wait for the Lord (Taize); Jesus, Lover of My Soul; Have Thine Own Way Lord; Great is Thy Faithfulness; O Come, O Come Emmanuel; Change My Heart O God Call to Worship One: God, in this time of waiting, we cry Many: Prepare the way for the Lord! One: Through turmoil, grief, and pain we cry Many: Prepare the way for the Lord! One: Though tired from the journey towards justice we cry Many: Prepare the way for the Lord! One: Though confronted by our fears and our anger we cry Many: Prepare the way for the Lord! One: Through our dedication, our determination, and our faith we cry Many: Prepare the way for the Lord! One: God, in our expectation and our joy, we cry Many: Prepare the way for the Lord! Invocation Loving Creator, we await your Spirit to dwell among us and we prepare the way for your glory. Holy One who gives us life, help us to be patient in our endeavors. Help us to regard those who persecute us with love and compassion. Help us live faithfully and profess the wonders of your righteousness. Lighting of the First Candle One: God of our struggles and our rejoicing, we gather in wonder to celebrate your presence that is ever around us. Your light illuminates our community. Many: Your persistent voice calls us to prepare the way for your coming among us again. One: We wait patiently for your reign of justice (light first candle). Many: May your presence shine in our world as these candles shine in our midst. Benediction When you go from this place and continue in the tasks of your daily lives, remember our time together. Share with those around you the good news that Christ is coming. Prepare the way for the Lord! Amen. Second Sunday of Advent (Purple or Blue) December 4, 2005 Scriptures Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." 6 A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" 10 See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. Psalm 85:1-13 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Selah…8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts. 9 Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky. 12 The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps. 2 Peter 3:8-15 8 But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. 11 Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13 But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. 14 Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, Mark 1:1-8 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Sermon Preparation help: http://www.textweek.com/yearb/adventb2.htm Children’s Sermon: “Soul-ed Out for Jesus” Based on Mark 1:1-8 http://www.childrensermons.com/sermons/soul-ed.htm Children’s Activity - Coloring Sheet (from hermanoleon.org) of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus: http://www.cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon/byn/rc/ev2vi01.gif Music Suggestions: Go, Tell it on the Mountain; I love you, Lord; In the Lord I’ll be Ever Thankful; Jesus, Name Above All Names; O God, Our Help in Ages Past; Angels From the Realms of Glory; Lead Me Lord Call to Worship One:     Enter this sanctuary and know the voice of God Many:   Peace be within you. One:     Embrace the high mountains and know the voice of God Many:   Peace be within you. One:     Experience the waves coming in from the deep waters and know the voice of God Many:   Peace be within you. One:     Let the swift winds blow by you and know the voice of God Many:   Peace be within you. One:     Turn to your innermost heart and know the voice of God Many:   Peace be within you. One:     In this season of waiting, make blind your eyes, clear your mind, listen beyond hearing, and know the voice of God is saying Many:   Peace be within you. Invocation So, Mountain of Life, Strength of our Universe, we implore you to share your strength with us today. We want the climbing we do to find a sure ground and, even more, a sure heart. Make our hearts strong for the journey and help us to see the light, feel the warmth and touch the core of your promise. As we reach deeper from the chaos toward your peace, might the mountain look more of home and our ancient weapons of struggle and fear be used only to feed and nourish. We greet you, Holy Mountain, and are raised high in your presence. Lighting of the First Candle One: God of compassion and comfort, we gather in wonder to celebrate your presence that is ever around us. Your light illuminates our community. Many: Your realm is near to us, O Holy One. One: We wait patiently for your reign of justice (light first candle) and we prepare for the day when all shall know deeply your peace in our midst (light second candle). Many: May your presence shine in our world as this candle shines in our midst. Benediction Go tell it from the mountains, that God is our sure strength who calls from fear to hope from struggle to peace and from complacence to compassion. Go and tell all that you have seen and heard! Amen. Third Sunday of Advent (Purple or Blue) December 11, 2005 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations….For I the LORD love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the LORD has blessed. 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations. Psalm 126 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced. 4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb. 5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. 6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 6 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise the words of prophets, 21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. 23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. Luke 1:47-59 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." 56 And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him Zechariah after his father. John 1:6-8, 19-28 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light…19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." 22 Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. 24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" 26 John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. Sermon Preparation Help: http://www.textweek.com/yearb/adventb3.htm Children’s Sermon, based on John 1:23: http://www.childrensermons.com/sermons/prepare.htm Children’s Activity – Create a Tambourine for your children to play at your upcoming Christmas celebrations: http://www.clubhousemagazine.com/crafts/a0001182.cfm Music Suggestions: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing; Holy, Holy, Holy/Santo, Santo, Santo; Shout to the Lord; Spirit of the Living God; Give Thanks; What a Friend we have in Jesus; He (God) Who Began a Good Work in You; Jesus, Name Above All Names Call to Worship One: God, you are the mountain! We climb...and seek your horizons. Many: the mountain has become our home where beyond every bend a meadow teases our imaginations One: there, in the crook of your arm, we lay our heads so full of fear and struggle Many: as we continue to journey deeper into you and imagine the horizon beyond our hope. Invocation God of Wonder, may your presence inspire us to be bearers of hope in this season. May we bring flowers of joy into the desert places of our world. May we bloom and flourish wherever it is that you have planted us and may we make our world a more beautiful place. Challenge us, inspire us and nurture us for this task, we pray. Amen. Lighting of the Third Candle One: God of goodness and mercy, we gather in wonder to celebrate your presence that is ever around us. Your light illuminates our community. Many: Your persistent voice calls us to prepare the way for your coming among us again. One: We wait patiently for your reign of justice (light first candle) and we prepare for the day when all shall know deeply your peace in our midst (light second candle) and we proclaim your hope in our lives (light third candle). Many: May your presence shine in our world as these candles shine in our midst. Benediction In leaving this place, remember the good news that Jesus proclaimed. Remember to hold dear His words of hope. Proclaim His coming, His life, and His ministry in your life. Peace be with you. Amen. Fourth Sunday of Advent (Purple or Blue) December 18, 2005 2 Samuel 7:1-11 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." 3 Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you." 4 But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: 5 Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? 6 I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. 7 Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" 8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house…16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever. Luke 1:47-55 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Romans 16:25-27 25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen. Luke 1:26-38 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 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. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 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 will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 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. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God." 38 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. Sermon Preparation Help: http://www.textweek.com/yearb/adventb4.htm Children’s Sermon, based on Luke 1:26-38: http://www.childrensermons.com/sermons/mary.htm Children’s Activity – Coloring Sheet (Gabriel and Mary): http://www.cruzblanca.org/hermanoleon/byn/rc/ev1in11.gif Music Suggestions: Jesus Loves Me; Holy, Holy, Holy/Santo, Santo, Santo; Jesus, Name Above All Names; Go, Tell it on the Mountain; In the Lord I’ll be Ever Thankful; Jesus, Name Above All Names; O God, Our Help in Ages Past; Angels From the Realms of Glory; Wait for the Lord (Taize); Jesus, Lover of My Soul; Have Thine Own Way Lord; Great is Thy Faithfulness; O Come, O Come Emmanuel; Call to Worship One: For God so loved the world; Many: The sparrows, the mountain lions, the fish and the people. One: For God so loved the world; Many: In success and failure, in sickness and health, in mediocrity and extraordinary. One: For God so loved the world; Many: Enough to become one of us, enough to suffer along with us, enough to offer new life for us. One: For God so loved the world; Many: Let us worship God! {Copyright Katherine Hawker, 1997. http://liturgyoutside.net/CallOutside.html} Invocation Most Holy One, giver of life, of hope, and of mercy, we ask for your continued presence in our life and our community. We gather today to proclaim your message of justice and grace and to prepare ourselves and our world for the coming of your son, our savior, Jesus Christ. Share with us your eternal presence and empower us to proclaim your truth to the world. Lighting of the Third Candle One: God of love and laughter, we gather in wonder to celebrate your presence that is ever around us. Your light illuminates our community. Many: Your persistent voice calls us to prepare the way for your coming among us again. One: We wait patiently for your reign justice (light first candle), we prepare for the day when all shall know deeply your peace in our midst (light second candle), we proclaim your hope in our lives (light third candle), and we celebrate the true love you impart on us daily (light fourth candle). Many: May your presence shine in our world as these candles shine in our midst. Benediction Siblings in Christ, the coming of Jesus is upon us. Our duty is to make ready for this miracle. When you leave this place, do so expectantly, knowing that God’s gift of mercy is yours. Share your story of faith with those around you and celebrate God’s loving presence in your life. Amen. Additional Advent Aids Holiday News Releases The following is a sample format to use for your holiday news releases. This release should happen during the last week or two of the Advent season, in preparation for your Christmas celebration services. Be sure to personalize your release by inserting your church name, location, pastor, service times, etc. Simply delete items which do not apply -- or are not adaptable -- to your church, or re-write terminology that is more appropriate to your community. HOLIDAY NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH OF (YourName) OFFERS CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE OF LESSONS & CAROLS Metropolitan Community Church of (YourName) will offer a Service of Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve, according to the Rev. (Pastor's Name), senior pastor of the eclectic congregation. Music will be provided by (Name of Choir), a community-based choir sponsored by MCC-(YourName), and by guest musicians from across (Your City). The service will be held at (Times). A free open house with holiday refreshments will be served between services. MCC-(YourName) is located at (State Address of Church). Additional information is available by calling the church office at (Phone Number), or by visiting the church's website at (Website Address). Direct Mail Examples Direct mail is a wonderful way to share your church's ministry. Most people look forward to receiving mail during the Holiday seasons. Letters have the ability to convey information and emotion, and provide a personal, one-on-one form of communication. The following are "concepts" you may wish to adapt to your local ministry setting. Insert your church information (location, times of services, pastor's name, etc.) and feel free to edit the material so that it is appropriate in your community. These letters have been "test marketed" in local MCC congregations. Direct Mail Letter #1 Come Home for the Holidays! How wrong was Thomas Wolfe! Wolfe is the author who wrote, "You can't go home again." I find myself much more in tune with Robert Frost, who wrote, "Home is where they take you in." For many of us, Metropolitan Community Church is home... a spiritual home. A place of protection and strength. A place of warm memories. A place where we have found renewed hope and acceptance and faith. Each of us needs a place to call home. My prayer is that MCC-(YourName) might fill that role in your life. And my purpose in writing you today is to invite you to come "home" for the holidays. You know, this is a wonderful time of the year... and a wonderful time to come home. Even as I write this, there is a chill in the air as fall gives way to winter. Colored lights are appearing in stores and the sound of carols fills the malls. The holidays are here! But for too many people this is a difficult time of year. As you look at your options for observing Advent and Christmas, I want you to know you will find a warm, affirming welcome at MCC-(YourName). We've planned positive, faith-filled services and events through out the month. I hope you'll plan to join your friends at MCC-(YourName) as we together celebrate the holidays. This is your personal invitation to "Come Home For The Holidays!" Yours in Christ, (Pastor's Name) Direct Mail Letter #2 Come Home for the Holidays! Dear MCC Friend, I've got three fantastic gifts I'm eager to share with you today! Christmas is just around the corner! Over the next few weeks, we'll all be shopping... wrapping... exchanging gifts. So let me be the first to share three special gifts with you this holiday season. The first gift is an invitation -- five simple words that compose this positive, motivational, God-given invitation: Come home for the holidays! A simple invitation…Come home for the holidays! A heartfelt invitation…Come home for the holidays! At this time of year, we are especially sensitive to God's work in our midst. There is something tender... mystical... moving... about the holidays. Perhaps even now you sense God's gentle presence tugging at you... graciously inviting you... "Come home for the holidays." To me, "home" at its very best has always meant a place to be accepted... to be authentic... to be comfortable... and that's what I want our church to be to you. That leads me to my second gift, a prayer to God. As your pastor, I want to share this deep and consuming prayer with you: "O God, continue to make this church a home: A spiritual home where people who have experienced pain, loneliness and rejection can find renewed strength... dignity... security... hope... and peace." And God is answering our prayer! Just look at what's happening! Every week new friends are discovering MCC-(YourName) and joining us for worship. There is a genuine sense of love and acceptance that fills our services. MCC-(YourName) has become a place of strength and dignity... an oasis from the stresses of life... a spiritual home to people in our community! There is a beautiful and moving verse in the Bible in Psalm 68:6, and that is my third gift to you today. It says, "God sets the solitary people of the earth in families." I think that's what's happening here at MCC. God is drawing people from every background... from diverse experiences... from various religions (and those with no religious background)... people who have known the pain of loneliness and rejection... and has brought us together in this spiritual home that we call MCC-(YourName). This holiday season, if you are: -- physically removed from your family by distance -- emotionally estranged from your family -- separated from family members by death please know that God has prepared a home -- a spiritual home -- for you in this church. Come home for the holidays! May I share one other thought with you? You help to complete our spiritual home here at MCC-(YourName). Our community of faith -- our spiritual "family" -- is made complete by your presence... by your unique personality... and by your special giftedness! You see, there are some things I believe very deeply, and among those things is this unshakable belief: You (yes, you!) are the crowning achievement of God's creation! God loves you! God cares deeply about you and your most intimate struggles. I honestly believe God is waiting to touch our lives in a very special way as we open ourselves to God during this beautiful holiday season. [Yes, there really is something about twinkling lights and shepherds and mangers and carols and Christmas trees that make us especially sensitive to God's voice and God's touch during this season.] Well, I was eager to share these three things with you today: -An invitation for you to "Come home for the holidays!" -My prayer that God will continue to build our church into a mighty spiritual home. -A positive, hope-filled verse from the Bible, Psalm 68:6, in which God promises each of us a spirit of family and community. Over the next several weeks, I'll be working especially hard to prepare positive, uplifting, motivational sermons and services to inspire you and to meet life's needs. Of course, we'll continue to hold services every Sunday at (Time) with other special events -- (the annual Christmas Eve program of carols, the Christmas cantata, and others you'll be hearing more about soon.) I'm pleased to invite you to "Come home for the holidays!" -- and I'll look forward to seeing you at Metropolitan Community Church of (YourName) as we celebrate the joy of Christmas and prepare for the freshness of the New Year! God's best to you! (Pastor's Name) Direct Mail Letter #3 Come Home for the Holidays! Dear MCC Friend: It's almost Christmas -- and I've got a gift for you today! Now, compared with expensive gifts in brightly colored wrapping and bows, you may be tempted to dismiss my gift as almost insignificant…But it's not! You see, I believe the greatest power in the universe -- after God and after the Holy Scriptures -- is the power of a positive, uplifting, motivational, God-given thought! That's right -- a thought! Because everything -- everything! -- begins as a thought... Before the earth and stars and galaxies were flung into the far reaches of space to become a home to creation, they were first a thought in the mind of God. Before your birth, the Bible says God knew you, thought about you, formed you, and proclaimed your creation to be good! In (Year) a group of people gathered here and thought and dreamed of this church -- a spiritual home -- where lonely, hurting, rejected people would discover dignity and acceptance and strength. Think about it this week as you're shopping. Every shelf of every store is loaded with electronics, appliances, books, and gift items. And every item on those shelves existed as a thought in someone's mind before it ever existed physically. With each item, a single thought set off a chain reaction. The thought became a dream. The dream attracted investors. Engineers and designers drafted initial designs. Factories were built, warehouses were erected, employees were hired, sales people and marketers were put to work! And it all began because someone dared to embrace a simple, silent, solitary thought! That got me to thinking. If simply embracing a thought can set off such an incredible chain reaction, imagine what might happen if you and I were to embrace positive, powerful, God-given thoughts! That's my gift to you today: An uplifting, spiritual life-changing thought -- a thought that can set off a positive chain reaction in your life. Here's my gift to you: "Jesus Christ, You are in charge of every encounter in my life today! I am expecting miracles to happen because You are in charge!" My gift to you at this holy Christmas season is this thought, this prayer, with its three fantastic insights to remind us: -Jesus Christ, the Babe of Bethlehem, the Christ of the Cross, is still with you today! -The grace of Jesus Christ is ever-present to meet your deepest needs. -The mercy of Jesus still enfolds you and His strong arms still reach out today to embrace and welcome you. Now, I'd like to hear your thoughts and prayers. So I've also enclosed something else with this letter -- a response form and a return envelope. The front of the form has room for three prayer requests. I want you to take just a minute to jot down three of your most important personal prayer requests, place the form in the return envelope, and send it back to me. I believe in the power of prayer -- and every day between now and New Year's Day, I am setting aside special time to pray for the needs of our congregation and community -- to pray for your needs. Perhaps this "season of miracles" will be a time for miracles in your personal life... in your relationships.. and in your journey with God. There's one final form I've enclosed... As you complete your shopping and gift buying, I'd like to suggest you add one more name to your Christmas gift list -- Metropolitan Community Church of (YourName)! With all the wonderful organizations in our community, MCC-(YourName) is at the forefront in bringing positive faith, hope and spirituality to so many people in our community. No, ours is not a perfect church -- but then, again, there's no such thing! Ours is a church committed to bring hope and faith and love to our community. So I invite you to add MCC-(YourName) to your Christmas gift list this year -- and help us to carry our positive faith forward in new and creative ways in the upcoming New Year! Finally, I am pleased to extend a warm invitation for you to "Come Home for the Holidays" -- and worship with us at our special holiday events at MCC-(YourName), including: -Our first-ever Kwanzaa Service, an African-American celebration of Christmas, on (Date). -Our Sunday morning Christmas Worship Service at (Time) on Sunday, December (Date. You'll enjoy beautiful holiday music, and I've prepared a special sermon entitled, (Sermon Title). -A beautiful Christmas musical on Sunday, December (Date) at (Time) with fantastic music by (Name of Choir). -A "Christmas Eve Party for Children of All Ages" on Friday, December 24th at (Time). -A beautiful, inspiring Service of Carols on Christmas Eve at 10:30 PM. -I've committed my life to making MCC-(YourName) a spiritual home -- a "home" where you will find true acceptance, affirmation and dignity. Won't you join us this Sunday and "come home for the holidays"? With all good holidays wishes, I remain Joyfully in Jesus Christ, (Name of Pastor Here) P.S. You may place your envelope with your prayer requests and/or your Christmas gift to MCC-(YourName) in the offering plate this coming Sunday, or drop it in the mail this week. It is already pre-addressed to my attention. Advent Activity Suggestions Here are projects and events for your church to consider. They include Christmas-focused events so you can plan ahead. Sponsor a community-wide Christmas toy collection -- perhaps Disney toys! -- for children in your area. Why not do this in conjunction with one or more GLBT organizations in your area? You can build bridges to other organizations while also ministering to children. Contact your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, soup kitchen, hospital, family medical clinic, shelter, and any other organization that might have a direct impact on lives of needy children in your community. Ask them if they already have a program in place to receive donations of children’s toys and, if so, what they require of donations. (If they do not, you have the opportunity to create one for them!) Once you have all of their information requirements, announce your effort to your congregation with your newfound “partner” and begin collecting! Make sure to have delivery dates and persons available according to the deadline for receipt given to you by your partner organization. Remember, these organizations may be receiving a LOT of donations during this time and have worked out a system that best serves the children in their outreach. Explore alternative Christmas celebrations that "do good" while also celebrating the holidays: Contact the Heifer Project International for information on their "Living Gift Market." Heifer International provides animals to families in need around the world to help them survive. You can give a Water Buffalo, a Heifer, a Goat, a Sheep and more! Even if you are sensitive to the rights of animals, Heifer International can help you help others through their “Living Gift Market.” Contact them at www.heifer.org, or at P. O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203. Tel. 1-800-422-0474. Or contact Church World Service for information on their "Gift of the Heart" kits. You can download the Kit Guide in .pdf at: www.churchworldservice.org/pdf_files/GiftHeart.pdf or learn more about the program at http://www.churchworldservice.org/kits. Also, you may write to them at P. O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515, or call (219) 264-3102. This project is easy to get children involved, assemble kits, and ship to Church World Service for distribution. A terrific way to do Global Outreach from your local community. Plan an evening of caroling. Make arrangements with your local hospice, nursing home or children's hospital. An evening of caroling in your area is a great way to build bridges and to foster understanding in your community. Sponsor a community-wide food collection for the homeless, or for those going through difficult economic times. Write a press release and share information on your project with your community. Offer an Advent Bible study on the scriptures for each week. These could be small group events in homes -- a great way to foster new friendships. Or sponsor a midday "Bible Study and Soup" at a central location. Provide a Christmas tree and decorations to someone who is ill or shut-in. Make this a church-wide project. Send brief press releases to the mainline press, the gay press and religion editors announcing your special holiday programs, services and events. Send as early as possible -- there's much competition for holiday news coverage. Focus on Cultivating World Peace in your church - The following websites offer excellent resources and ideas for fostering peace in our world. Many of these sites also contain sections for children and youth. Web Directory of Peace Resources http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Issues_and_Causes/Peace_and_Nonviolence/Organizations/ More than 250 web resources for peace information, resources and activities. Peace Poles www.worldpeace.org/peacepoles.html Establish a Peace Pole, a hand-crafted monument with the prayer, "May Peace Prevail On Earth." There are now more than 200,000 Peace Poles in 180 countries which serve as a constant reminder to pray for world peace. Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation http://www.kleinfoundation.org Online magazines to involved kids in community service projects; ideas for fighting hunger in your community International World Peace Rose Gardens http://www.worldpeacerosegardens.org/ Ideas for establishing a peace garden memorial. 21