Michael Kooy

We often hear about the Holy Spirit at work in the church after Pentecost. But as a person of our triune God, the Holy Spirit is eternal and unchanging and thus has always been at work in creation, from the Old Testament to now. The idea of doing a sermon series on the Holy Spirit using only texts from the Old Testament was inspired by the book Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit: Seven Principles of Dynamic Cooperation, by Brad Long, Paul Stokes, and Cindy Strickler (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009), which our church’s council and prayer team were reading.The Bible speaks of the Holy Spirit in the beginning, moving over the face of the waters at creation. The Spirit of God sustains human life (“If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust” (Job 34:14–15, NLT)) and the life of all creation (“When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground” (Psalm 104:30)).The Spirit of God empowers and equips people for special tasks, including judges and kings (Numbers 11:17, 25–26; 27:18; Judges 3:10; 6:34; 14:5–6; 15:14–17; and 1 Samuel 16:13) and prophets speaking God’s word (Joel 2:28; 2 Chronicles 24:20; Isaiah 61:1–3). The Holy Spirit worked within people to give wisdom for leadership and skill and craftsmanship (Genesis 41:38–39; Exodus 31:1–5; Deuteronomy 34:9). The Old Testament also prophesied the pouring out of God’s Spirit, giving new hearts (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Ezekiel 36:25–27) and enabling all to serve God (Numbers 11:29; Isaiah 44:3; Joel 2:28–29).The visual arts team at Grace Community Christian Reformed Church, led by Trudy Kooy and Marilyn VandenBout, created a large dove across three panels to hang in the front of our sanctuary to represent the power and movement of the Holy Spirit through all of time. The artists first drew the figure with chalk on three panels of dark blue fabric. Then they cut tulle to match the outlines and pinned it in place, adding extra tulle to show contrast on the wings, head, and tail. They also twisted the tulle to make the curls of “wind” coming down from the dove, creating a sense of movement. The fabric panels were then placed on curtain rods and raised to the proper heights using string and wire. Once the dove was in place, the artists noticed the panels were perfectly spaced to create the image of the dove coming out of the base of our stained-glass cross window, giving even more significance to the installment.Our series theme song was “Holy Spirit, Come,” by Wendell Kimbrough. We chose this song because its lyrics reference many Old Testament passages about the Holy Spirit and end with a call for each of us to show the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. To teach the congregation the song, we used it as the offertory the week before the series began and then as the prelude for the first week of the series.Each service began with the same call to worship reminding us of the presence of the Holy Spirit in us:Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church:The love of God has been poured into our heartsthrough the Holy Spirit who has been given us;we dwell in him and he in us.Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name;make known his deeds among the peoples.Sing to him, sing praises to him,and speak of all his marvelous works.Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty,who was, and is, and is to come!—The Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada. Anglican Book Centre, 1985. © 1985, General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada. Used by permission (Also see The Worship Sourcebook, Q1.2.3.)Week 3 includes a liturgy for the Lord’s Supper because that service coincided with our monthly communion celebration, but this can be adapted for your needs.Week 1Skills and GiftsPreludeGod’s Call to WorshipSongs“Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid” Maurus“God, the Uncreated One (King Forevermore)” Keyes and JamesGod’s Greeting / Mutual GreetingsNew Testament Reading1 Corinthians 12:4–11Song of Illumination“Holy Spirit, Come” KimbroughScripture ReadingExodus 31:1–5; 35:30–35Message“Echoes of the Holy Spirit: Skills and Gifts”Sermon NotesBy God’s Spirit, all we do is for the glory of God. Bezalel and Oholiab were given skills in craftsmanship and teaching by God’s Spirit. These gifts, like all other gifts of God’s Spirit, are to be used for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). Bezalel and Oholiab used their abilities to reflect and evoke the beauty of God’s redemption and new creation as they embellished the worship center in Israel’s life.We stay in the flow of the Spirit when we use our skills to serve God and others. Our lives are transformed by serving. Using our gifts and skills lends beauty and grace to the lives of those around us, reflecting the flourishing God gives in creation.In the fallen world, we encounter frustration and problems in using our skills and knowledge, yet every problem is an invitation to grow in God’s Spirit, who uses the problem to point us to what really matters and challenges us to rely on God as we use our abilities to serve.Songs of Response“We Are Members of Christ’s Body” Polman“Holy Spirit” Getty and TownendPrayer of ConfessionSuggestion: Reformed Worship 39:33Song of Assurance“O Great God” KauflinProfession of Our FaithIn his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit,Christ is not absent from us for a moment.By the Spirit’s powerwe make the goal of our lives not earthly thingsbut the things above where Christ is,sitting at God’s right hand.Through the Holy SpiritChrist pours out his gifts from heaven upon us his members.The Spirit, as well as the Father and the Son, is eternal God.The Spirit has been given to us personallyso that by true faiththe Spirit makes us share in Christ and all his blessings,comforts us, and remains with us forever.—from the Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 47, 49, 51, 53; TWS Q.3.6.1Prayers of the PeopleOfferingSendingGo forth into the world,rejoicing in the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit.Amen.—The Book of Common Prayer, according to the use of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, © 1977, Charles Mortimer Guilbert as custodian; P.D.BlessingClosing Song“God, the Father of Your People” Mulder, NewtonPostludeWeek 2Leading and HelpingPreludeGod’s Call to WorshipSongs“Shout to the Lord” Zschech“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” HeberGod’s Greeting / Mutual GreetingsNew Testament ReadingEphesians 4:7–8, 11–13Song of Illumination“Holy Spirit, Come” KimbroughScripture ReadingNumbers 11:16–30Message“Echoes of the Holy Spirit: Leading and Helping”Sermon NotesThis passage addresses how leaders are called and ordained within the body of God’s people, but more importantly, it tells us that the Spirit is put on those leaders—the same Spirit that was on Moses. Interestingly, the Bible specifically mentions that the elders prophesied when the Spirit came on them, but only that one time. This is a biblical example of how the Spirit may work in people. Sometimes people are blessed by being filled with and empowered by the Spirit over and over again, but other times the Spirit fills and empowers once or twice, and never again.The crux of this narrative is in verse 29, when Moses says he wishes the Lord would put his Spirit on all of God’s people. There is a clear connection here to Pentecost. It is important to think about how the church functions in relation to this narrative: One person should not lead alone, gifted though they may be. Those in positions of leadership should be filled with the Spirit and equipped for their task. God will provide guidance to God’s people. It is important that we cooperate with that guidance and realize where God is at work.Song of Response“Holy Spirit” Getty and TownendPrayer of ConfessionHappy are those whose way is blameless,who walk in the law of the Lord.My walk is not blameless,I often break your laws, O Lord.Happy are those who keep his decrees,who seek him with their whole heart.I long to serve you with all I have,all my mind, soul, heart, and strength, but I fail.Happy are those who do no wrong,but walk in his ways.I wish I could only do right, only walk in your footsteps,but I wander to the right and the left.You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.Your instructions are perfect,and I know them and reach toward them,but my reaching is short.O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!Lord, help me to pay attention to your ways,to the prompting of your Spirit.Then I shall not be put to shame,having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.And when I fall, when I fail again,help me to have the humility to look to Jesus.I will praise you with an upright heart,when I learn your righteous ordinances.In your Son I am renewed,my failings and wrongs are forgiven,my heart is cleansed.I will observe your statutes;do not utterly forsake me.And with the help of your SpiritI will follow your ways,knowing you have not forsaken me,giving all you have,so I may walk with you each day.—“Psalm 119: A Confession,” by Dave Hopwood, davehopwood.com and engageworship.org. Used by permission.Song of Assurance“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” HatchGod’s Will for Our LivesEphesians 6:10–18Prayers of the PeopleOfferingSending PrayerSuggestion: The Worship Sourcebook Q.9.1.7BlessingClosing Song“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” Newton, TomlinPostludeWeek 3Weakness and StrengthPrelude“Come, Holy Ghost” Benedict and MillsGod’s Call to WorshipSongs“How Firm a Foundation” J. Rippon’s Selection of Hymns (vs. 1, 2, 4, 5)“Sovereign” Tomlin, Ingram, et al.God’s Greeting / Mutual GreetingsTime of ConfessionSuggestion: Reformed Worship 27:42Song of Assurance“Spirit of God, Who Dwells Within My Heart” CrolyGod’s Will for Our LivesColossians 3:12–15Prayers of the PeopleSong of Illumination“Holy Spirit, Come” KimbroughScripture ReadingJudges 6:33–7:8Message“Echoes of the Holy Spirit: Weakness and Strength”Sermon NotesGideon begins his leadership in Israel with the Holy Spirit coming upon him, enabling him to serve. Judges 6:34 says, “The Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon.” The verse could also be read as, “The spirit of the Lord clothed itself with Gideon” (see Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 528). The Holy Spirit put on Gideon like a soldier dons armor. The Spirit worked through Gideon to bring redemption. The Spirit that “clothed itself with Gideon” is the same Spirit that enables us to serve and live for Christ. The people God’s Spirit clothes itself with today are moved to work toward God’s kingdom presence in our life now.God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. Judges makes much of Gideon’s weakness. Gideon asks: “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest . . . and I am the least” (Judges 6:15). Gideon wouldn’t go forward without assurance that God was going to save Israel. Further, God’s battle strategy was to reduce Gideon’s army to 300 men. In his wisdom, the Lord God picks the least and equips them by God’s Spirit to bring hope and healing to God’s broken world. By that Spirit, God’s power is seen in our weakness.Lord’s SupperWe used a liturgy from The Worship Sourcebook with references to the Holy Spirit. Also consider “A Brief Form for the Celebration of Holy Communion” from the Christian Reformed Church, choosing from the options presented those that make reference to the Holy Spirit (search crcna.org for the liturgy’s title).Songs during distribution of elements:“There Is a Redeemer” Green“The Lord Is My Salvation” Myrin, Getty, NockelsOfferingSendingLet us go forth into the world,rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.Thanks be to God.—The Book of Common Prayer, according to the use of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America © 1977, Charles Mortimer Guilbert as custodian; P.D.BlessingClosing Song“May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” WilkinsonPostludeWeek 4Cleanliness and JoyPrelude“Be Still, for the Presence of the Lord” EvansGod’s Call to WorshipSongs“Come, Thou Almighty King” Anonymous“Ten Thousand Reasons” Redman and MyrinGod’s Greeting / Mutual GreetingsNew Testament ReadingTitus 3:4–7Song of Illumination“Holy Spirit, Come” KimbroughScripture ReadingPsalm 51Message“Echoes of the Spirit: Cleanliness and Joy”Sermon NotesThis is, in many ways, the quintessential psalm. There’s confession, assurance, praise, lament, longing, and comfort. One does not necessarily lean into the Davidic superscription about the circumstances of its writing other than to give a biblical example of a time in which one might pray this psalm.The Spirit theme here comes from verse 11 and raises the question of what the psalmist receives from being in the presence of God and having the Spirit? The answer provides the key to this psalm and the sermon: There is peace in the presence of God, and there is love in spite of all our sins. God is a God who forgives and assures us of that with the Spirit.Songs of Response“Holy Spirit, Truth Divine” Longfellow,“Just as I Am” Elliott, Moffitt, et al.Prayer of ConfessionDear Lord,life ambushes us;it’s the nature of things.This broken world sidetracks and distracts us;it is full of traps, temptations, and terrors,and we fall at times,frequently, daily, sometimes hour by hour.It’s the nature of us.We are flawed, fragile, frantic beings,hungry for satisfaction, for a quick fix, for an escape.Have mercy on us, O God, according to your extraordinary love;according to your kindness, compassion, and crucified grace.Please deal with our wrongdoing,remove the stains, heal the past, and lift the guilt.We offer you all that we are—our mistakes, our falling short, our regrets,our strengths and weaknesses, disasters and triumphs.Our moments of following you, and our moments of meandering.We are wayward people, but because of you, we are not lost,Forgiveness is possible, hope is on the agenda,and a fresh start is offered to us, each minute, each hour, each day.Because of you, because of your love,and because of all you have done.We thank you,in the name of your compassionate, courageous son.Amen. —”Psalm 51,” by Dave Hopwood, davehopwood.com and engageworship.org. Used by permission.Song of Assurance“Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God” AnonymousGod’s Will for Our LivesMicah 6:8Prayers of the PeopleOfferingSendingSuggestion: Our Song of Hope, st. 16, Reformed Church in AmericaBlessingClosing Song“Go, My Children, with My Blessing” Vajda (vs. 2 and 3PostludeWeek 5Renewal and DeliverancePreludeGod’s Call to WorshipSongs“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” Heber“In the Presence” AltroggeGod’s Greeting / Mutual GreetingsNew Testament ReadingJohn 3:1–8Song of Illumination“Holy Spirit, Come” KimbroughScripture ReadingEzekiel 36:16–32Message“Echoes of the Spirit: Renewal and Deliverance”Sermon NotesIn an oracle that forms the core of Ezekiel, the prophet speaks to the exiles. The Israelites had sinned persistently and made themselves unfit to inhabit God’s land and live in God’s presence. But God was going to renew them and restore them. The Lord promises to replace their stony hearts with hearts of flesh. The Lord will cleanse them from their self-made impurity and restore them to God’s land out of exile.The reason for this deep deliverance was not the people’s righteousness, but God defending the honor of God’s name. This renewal began with God’s deliverance of the Israelites from exile and was made universal at Pentecost. Is radical change possible? Yes. God’s renewing Spirit brings us new hearts, leading us to faith and to loving obedience. By that Spirit, we look forward in hope to the day when we will live fully in God’s presence in God’s kingdom.Songs of Response“Spirit of the Living God” Iverson, Baughen“The Power of Your Love” BullockPrayer of ConfessionHoly and merciful God,in your presence we confessour sinfulness, our shortcomings,and our offenses against you.You alone know how often we have sinnedin wandering from your ways,in wasting your gifts,in forgetting your love.Have mercy on us, O Lord,for we are ashamed and sorryfor all we have done to displease you.Forgive our sins,and help us to live in your lightand walk in your ways,for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.—Henry van Dyke in Book of Common Worship (Presbyterian, 1906), alt., P.D.Song of Assurance“Search Me, O God” OrrGod’s Will for Our LivesEphesians 4:21–25Prayers of the PeopleOfferingSendingGo out into the world in peace;have courage;hold on to what is good;return no one evil for evil;help the suffering;honor all;love and serve the Lord,rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.With God’s help we will.—P.D.BlessingClosing Song“Agnus Dei (Alleluia! For the Lord God Almighty Reigns)” SmithPostludeWeek 6Restoration and EmpowermentPreludeGod’s Call to WorshipSongs“Let Your Kingdom Come” Kauflin“How Great Is Our God” Reeves, Cash, and Tomlin, LUYH 574, SSS 458God’s Greeting / Mutual GreetingsNew Testament ReadingActs 2:1–12Song of Illumination“Holy Spirit, Come” KimbroughScripture ReadingJoel 2:28–32Message“Echoes of the Spirit: Restoration and Empowerment”Sermon NotesThe gifts of the Spirit are for everyone—all of God’s people. Sons, daughters, old, young, men, and women will all have the Spirit poured out on them if they call on the Lord to be saved. There is an obvious call forward to Pentecost here, probably the most noticeable in this series.This passage also does a fair bit of looking forward not only to a post-Pentecost world, but to the day of the Lord. Even as we await the day of the Lord, God’s kingdom is being ushered in. How are we seeing that in today’s world? In our lives? In our churches?Songs of Response“Hear the Call of the Kingdom” Getty and Townend“Mighty to Save” Morgan and FieldingTime of ConfessionThe Spirit of the Lord fills the worldand knows our every word and deed.Let us then open ourselves to the Lordand confess our sins in penitence and faith.—from In Penitence and Faith, David Silk Mowbray, 1988. Reprinted by permission of the Continuum International Publishing Group, Inc.Generous God,you send us the Spirit of courage,but we have been afraid.You send us the Spirit of truth,but we cling to our illusions.You send us the Spirit of healing,but we cannot let go of our hurts.Holy Spirit of forgiveness, come to us again:Shake our hearts,set our souls on fire with your love:Send us out into the worldrejoicing in your power.We hold out to youall our particular burdens of guilt and sin,and we ask for your helpto live the way of your justice and love. Amen.—by Janet Cawley from Celebrate God’s Presence: A Book of Services for The United Church of Canada. United Church Publishing House, 2000, p. 205, alt. Used with permission.Song of Assurance“Blessed Assurance” Crosby,We Profess Our FaithIn his divinity, majesty, grace, and Spirit,Christ is not absent from us for a moment.By the Spirit’s powerwe make the goal of our lives not earthly thingsbut the things above where Christ is,sitting at God’s right hand.Through the Holy SpiritChrist pours out his gifts from heaven upon us his members.The Spirit, as well as the Father and the Son, is eternal God.The Spirit has been given to us personallyso that by true faiththe Spirit makes us share in Christ and all his blessings,comforts us, and remains with us forever.—from the Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 47, 49, 51, 53; TWS Q.3.6.1Prayers of the PeopleOfferingSendingSuggestion: Reformed Worship 39:34BlessingClosing Song“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” KenPostludeOther Song Suggestions for the SeriesWeek 1“God Is Here” Green“God of This City” McCann, Boyd, et al.“Before You I Kneel” Taylor, Getty, and Townend“Build Your Kingdom Here” Llewellyn and GilkesonWeek 2“God of the Prophets” Wortman, Daw“Take, O Take Me as I Am” Bell“The Perfect Wisdom of Our God” Getty and TownendWeek 3“Let Every Christian Pray” Green“My Soul Finds Rest” Townend and KeyesWeek 4“God Be Merciful to Me” Psalter“Merciful God” Getty and TownendWeek 5“Change My Heart, O God” Espinosa“Amazing Grace” Newton“Spirit Divine, Inspire Our Prayer” ReedWeek 6“O Worship the King” Grant“This Is Our God” Fournier, Plank, et al.

Faith communities are increasingly attentive to the needs of people who are “blue” during the holiday season. They are creating sacred space and hospitable settings to include those who face various kinds of losses, illnesses, grief, depression, or conditions that make their grief poignant. Those difficult emotions can connect us more deeply to the reason for Christ’s incarnation. “Blue” services are reflective, accepting the reality of where people are emotionally. They offer a message of hope and an assurance of God’s presence with us in the midst of our darkness. As we experience both individual and communal grief and lament, it is important to acknowledge that fact in worship. While such a service can happen at any time during Advent, for those in the Northern Hemisphere it is often held on December 21 and referred to as “The Longest Night Service.”This particular service, planned for Grace Community Christian Reformed Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois, works whenever you hold it. Its basic form is based on an order developed and used at The Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, Honolulu, Hawaii. Grace Community has used it (with some minor changes) for several years. We are grateful that the Cathedral has given permission for it to be shared with Reformed Worship’s readers. This particular service was developed in coordination with Erik Kamp, who was an intern at Grace Community. Please acknowledge both communities if you choose to use this service.You may want to give name tags or index cards to those who attend and have them write the name of the person (including oneself) or situation they are thinking of or mourning during this season. Something about naming it and writing it down can help people begin the healing process or open them up to healing.PreludeSolo/Duet: “Breath of Heaven” GrantWelcome[Consider adapting the opening paragraph to make it more contextual.]We gather this evening during this Christmas season in a spirit of somber remembrance. While the rest of the world seems to be celebrating the joyous occasion, we come to the manger realizing that the world is as cold as stone, that feelings of loneliness and loss overwhelm, and that our hearts cry out: “Help us be strong; help us.” I invite each of you this evening not to hide or suppress those feelings, but to embrace them, realizing that they bring you much closer to the real Christmas story.This evening we remember the true story: A helpless babe born into a world that was struggling, a world that was questioning where God was, a world crying out, “Why?” A helpless babe born in a cold, stone room without the joyous welcome we often picture. A helpless babe born into a family that was poor, tired, and frightened. A helpless babe who would change all this for the world.We Gather in God’s PresenceOpening SentencesLORD, you are the God who saves me;      day and night I cry out to you.May my prayer come before you;      turn your ear to my cry.I am overwhelmed with troubles,      and my life draws near to death.I am counted among those who go down to the pit;      I am like one without strength.—Psalm 88:1–4[Light the Christ Candle.]The people walking in darkness      have seen a great light;on those living in the land of deep darkness      a light has dawned. . . .For to us a child is born,      to us a son is given,      and the government will be on his shoulders.And he will be called      Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the greatness of his government and peace      there will be no end.—Isaiah 9:2, 6–7Song“O Little Town of Bethlehem” BrooksGod’s Greeting/Mutual GreetingsWe Remember and Seek Comfort: A Litany of RemembrancePersons Who Have Been Loved and LostLighting of the First CandleWe light the first Advent candle and remember those persons who have been loved and lost. We pause to remember their names, their faces, their voices. We give thanks for the memory that binds them to us in this season.Lord, surround us all with your eternal love.All Sing“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum (v. 1)[Silence]Words of ComfortPsalm 103:13–17Other Occasions of LossLighting of the Second CandleWe light a second candle mindful of the many sources of loss and grief: the loss of relationships, the loss of jobs, or the loss of health. As we gather up all our pain, we offer it to you, O God, asking that into our open hands you will place the gift of peace.Hold us, help us, heal us, O God.All Sing“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum (v. 6)[Silence]Words of ComfortPsalm 139:11–12Acknowledging the PainLighting of the Third CandleWe light a third candle to acknowledge the pain of our loss in this Christmas season. We pause to remember the past weeks, months and, for some of us, years of difficult times. In the poignancy of memories, we feel all the grief, the sadness, the hurts, and the fears, and we entrust them to Christ, the suffering servant who is victorious over death itself.We remember that the dawn overcomes the darkness.All Sing“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum (v. 5)[Silence]Words of ComfortPsalm 34:19Gratitude for Those Who’ve Journeyed with UsLighting of the Fourth CandleWe light a fourth candle to remember all who have shared in our sorrow. We thank you, Lord, for their compassion, for their presence with us in times when our hurt went deeper than words could express. We remember that you, Lord, sent your Holy Spirit to sympathize with our weakness and to carry our sorrows.We thank you for those who held us and pointed to your light.All Sing“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum (v. 7)[Silence]Words of ComfortMatthew 5:4, 7Prayer of ComfortWe Hear God’s WordScriptureJohn 1:1–5Message“Christmas in the Darkness and Storm”We Respond in HopePrayer of HopeGod of compassion, we come again to you as Christmas nears.We grieve over what might have been.A death or loss or struggle tarnishes our experience of this season. We feel cut off from joy, lost from what we once felt, wondering if the light will indeed come. We find ourselves adrift, alone, lost. Lord, help us find our way.Loving God, hear our prayer,and in your merciful love, answer.The Advent season reminds us of what used to be but is no more. Memories of what was and fears of what may be keep us from the joy of today. All around are the sounds of celebration, but joy eludes us. Be near us this night.Loving God, hear our prayer,and in your merciful love, answer.In this season of Advent waiting, we bring you those sorrows and longings too deep for words. Hear the groans of our hearts, and tend us with your comfort and grace.Loving God, hear our prayer,and in your merciful love, answer.In the silence, we bring you our own words of need, our own words of hope.[Silence]In this dark night, let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. ln the quietness of this night, may your peace enfold us, and those dear to us, and all who have no peace. Keep us in the truth that the night is nearly over; the day is almost here. We look expectantly to a new day, to new joys.Loving God, hear our prayer,and in your merciful love, answer. Amen.Words of HopeMay your unfailing love be with us, LORD,      even as we put our hope in you.Those who hope in the LORD      will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles;      they will run and not grow weary,      they will walk and not be faint.May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Psalm 33:22; Isaiah 40:31; Romans 15:13Lighting of Candles and Song of Peace“Silent Night! Holy Night!” MohrAs we sing, all who wish are invited forward to prayerfully light a candle in memory, in honor, in gratitude, in hope, or in love, inviting the love of Christ to dispel our darkness.Passing of the PeaceBenediction1 Peter 5:10–11

Pastors encourage people in our churches to be more than passive observers. Affirming the priesthood of believers, we encourage members to be active participants in the life of faith and in the work of the church. But usually these encouragements happen in the context of a sermon, where we do the talking and they just listen. We teach with our words about participation, but the way we do it teaches people to be disengaged, silent, and inactive. In this article, pastors Michael Kooy and Mark Brouwer engage in a conversation about interactive preaching.