Ain't That Good News? A 21st Century Africana Resource for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Year B

Gathering Meditation: AIN'T THAT GOOD NEWS
(Based on Luke 1:26-38)
A whisper of grace landed in my ear, "You're going to have a baby boy, Mary! Now ain't that good news?"

But my mind captured every question overwhelming me, and only one found its way free. "How? How can this be?"

"Mary, don't you know? Nothing is impossible for God! Nothing!"

And that's the only reminder I needed. Because somewhere inside of me something was breathing life into my faith and calling me to speak. These words came from the gut of my soul where joy and pain, laughter and tears, life and death are born. They came from a place where God's spirit dwells. And that soul smiled as these words journeyed from my mouth.

"I am the Lord's. Let it be."

Call to Worship
Here we are in your house, Lord.
Dare we ask you to move us?
Dare we ask you to fill us?
Dare we ask you to build our souls
into a home for you, Lord?

Litany
(Luke 1:47-55) Rejoice like Mary! Dance from the depths of your soul!
The Mighty One has done great things! Holy is God's name.
God showed mercy to our mothers, mercy to our sons.
God dethroned the masters and crowned the slaves.
The Mighty One has done great things! Mercy is God's name.
God shined light on the tears of the displaced.
God turned their sorrows into rainbows.
The Mighty One has done great things! Redeemer is God's name.
God filled the mouth of the child in famine.
God filled the promise of saving this world.
The Mighty One has done great things! Fulfiller is God's name.

Suggested Choir or Congregational Song:
"I Call You Faithful" from Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Donnie McClurkin)

Prayer of Confession
(2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16)
Lord, we own up to our ignorance. Who do we think we are trying to build a temple around your glory? Who do we think we are giving you this one day and leaving you in here every other day of the week? You have gone with us from the day you molded us from mud and mire. You have gone with us when we were beaten down, when we crossed the troubled passage, when the waters kept rising. You have gone with us through shadowed alleys, midnight tears, and stabs in the back. You went with us yesterday, are going with us now, and will go with us even as we return to dust. Your temple is within us, Lord. Forgive those moments when we forget. Amen.

Advent Creed
I believe in God, constant like the sunrise, who is the beginning and the end of life.
I believe God placed a baby on this earth, giving flesh to divinity and perfect hope to humanity.

I believe Jesus Christ is that child, that healer, that friend who walked the earth until the day he was crucified, murdered and buried.

I believe in the third day when Jesus became Savior, stripping death of the power to defeat. Jesus leapt from the grave, was carried away into heaven and promises to return.

I believe the Holy Spirit steps with us, cries next to us, and prays for us each day until Jesus returns.

And I believe Jesus will return.

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Ciona Rouse is a freelance writerand a former staff member of the Discipleship Ministries, Nashville, TN.

21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources: "Worship Resources for the Fourth Sunday in Advent, Year B" Copyright © 2005, 2011Ciona D. Rouse. Used with permission. All rights reserved.