Open Door Community Church 1st Sunday of Advent Celebration 11/27/2022

For more information on the ministry of Open Door Community Church, please go to http://www.SherwoodOpenDoor.org Sunday Celebration 11/27/2022 Welcome, Invocation, and Affirmation of Faith Our Affirmation of Faith We believe in God the creator of us all, whose desire for diversity is seen in the rainbow of humanity. With unrelenting passion God seeks to be in relationship with all of us. We believe in Jesus the Christ, who is the embodiment of God’s redeeming grace; and in the Holy Spirit through whom that grace continues its restoring work. We believe in the Church. It is the body of Christ on the earth today. As ministers of this church, we are all called like Jesus, to heal, to deliver, to teach, and to serve. We believe that together we can change the world, in our time and for all time. Amen! Affirmation Chorus: “In This Place” In this place, there’s joy that I can’t explain In this place, there’s healing for all my pain There is love unlike I’ve ever known Everybody here makes me feel at home As we gather here, I know I’m not alone I feel God’s presence, Moving in this place. Forming the Advent Wreath Lighting of the Candle of Hope Holy Communion Sing & Celebrate “Thank You Jesus” “God Is Here” Today’s Scriptures ROMANS 8:18-25 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Special Music Praise & Prayers Special Music Sermon by guest speaker Stan Mitchell “A Comforting Hope” Final Song