Bulletin – Sunday, December 4, 2022 – Second Sunday in Advent / Communion – Discover Peace

Sunday, December 4, 2022
Second Sunday in Advent / Communion
Discover Peace

Approach

Lighting the Advent Candle

One:   Last Sunday we lit the first candle—the candle of hope. Today we light the second candle, the candle of peace. We light it knowing full well that peace is elusive, and in some parts of the world, it is almost completely absent. Yet in this season of Advent, we trust that God is never absent from us. God is always preparing something new. And even where there is war and discord, whether between countries, within families, or within our own hearts, God is present, gently leading us to new possibilities.
All:      Loving God, in this time of preparation and planning, we thank you for the hope and peace you unfailingly offer us. Show us the creative power of hope. Teach us the peace that come from justice. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, that we may walk in the light of Christ.

Call to Worship

One:   We come to prepare the way,
All:      the way for Christ—

One:   the hope of Christ, the peace of Christ—
All:      to enter our world, to enter our hearts.

One:   We cry out together in the wilderness:
All:      the kingdom of heaven has come near.

One:   We come to be part of the light—
All:      the light that shines in the darkness. We come to discover peace this season in the light of Christ with us.

Hymn – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth.

How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessed gift of heaven.
No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.

O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

From the bulb there comes a flower, from the desert rock a flow of water, from the rainbow there comes the hope of life, from the Bible there comes the Word of Truth, from the Cross there come the love of God, from the tomb there comes the resurrection, from the prophet comes the vision of new earth. But from the stump from this dried-out log from a family tree that has lost all integrity…there comes the shoot of David, the lifeline of salvation, the promise of justice, the longing for transformation, the word of life, the expectation of Messiah.

From the stump of Jesse comes a covenant reborn. Holy and loving God, we have dwelt in darkness and preferred it to the light, we have been proud of our accomplishments and despaired over our shortcomings. Smooth down the mountains of our pride, and lift up the valleys of our doubts. Open a path in the wilderness of our lives that we might find our way to you again. Refine us and prepare us once again for life in your kingdom.

Words of Assurance

Response

Jesus came bringing us peace,
Jesus came bringing us peace,
Jesus came bringing us peace,
Hallelujah, forever more!

Time for All Ages

Hymn – “On Jordan’s Bank”

On Jordan’s bank, the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lamb is nigh;
Awake and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings of the King of Kings.

Then cleansed be every life from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
And let each heart prepare a home
Where such a mighty guest may come.

In you, we find, abundant life,
Our refuge in the midst of strife;
Without your grace we waste away,
Like flowers that wither and decay.

Stretch forth your hand, our health restore,
And help us rise to fall no more.
O let your face upon us shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

All praise to you, eternal Son,
Whose advent has our freedom won;
And praise to God whom we adore,
With Holy Spirit evermore.

The Word

Scripture Reading:           Isaiah 11:1-10

¹ A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. ² 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. ³ 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; ⁴ but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek 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. ⁵ Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. ⁶ The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. ⁷ The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. ⁸ The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. ⁹ They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

¹⁰ On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.

Scripture Reading:           Matthew 3:1-12

¹ In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ² “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” ⁴ Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

⁷ But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruit worthy of repentance. ⁹ Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ¹⁰ Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹ “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “Discovering Peace”

Anthem – “Where is He, Immanuel?”

The Response

Offering

Response

May the Spirit of the Christ Child show us how in love to live
For the joy and peace of Christmas is for us to share and give.
May the story of God’s coming, God with us—Emmanuel,
Fill the world with light of Christmas as in awe we do God’s will

Communion

One:   God be with you.
All:      And also with you.

One:   Lift up your hearts.
All:      We lift them up to God.

One:   Let us give thanks to God.
All:      It is right to give God thanks and praise.

One:   In the rich dark of winter, God makes an astounding promise: “I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up.” (Jeremiah 33:15) In the wilderness, a voice cries out, longing for the Refiner’s fire, repair, and renewal, the promised birth (and rebirth) of hope.

One:   Called to bear the weight and fruit of promise, Mary sings ancient trust—the song of generations—that God comes to fill the hungry and lift the humble. She sings that love and truth will meet, that justice and peace will kiss. In the midst of uncertainty, Jesus assures his disciples: just as the tree blooms, so the signs are clear that the kingdom of God is near. In the deep of our own winter, we look for them: bud of hope, branch of peace, sprig of joy, blossom of love.

One:   While around us the snares of fear and conflict lie in wait of infant hope, you, O Wisdom, O Endless Love, O Radiant Dawn, are there, keeping vigil with us, in this season of expectation. We gather at this table, praying that crooked ways be made straight, the valley’s peace be lifted up and mountain’s might brought low so that all God’s people might rejoice together, saying:
All:      Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the one that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

One:   We give thanks for the mystery and wonder revealed that first night, as humble people led by hope gathered in a quiet stable and were witness to your promise reborn. We give thanks for the blessing and love Jesus shared with all whom he met, in food and story.

One:   We remember that, on the night before he was handed over to die, Jesus broke bread with his friends, blessed it, gave thanks, and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which I give for you. When you share it, remember me.”

One:   We remember that he took the cup and, giving thanks, said, “This is the new covenant. When you drink it, remember me.”

One:   Revealed in stable, cross, and empty tomb, we give thanks, O God, for your limitless love for all. With your people of all times and places, we await with hope the fulfillment of your vision for all creation. Bless us, O God, and these your gifts. Encourage us to share your live and love, which make us, and the gifts we share, truly holy. Transform us, God, and your world, and bless your children: those who feel alone or afraid…those whose souls and homes are broken by violence…those who will go hungry, thirsty, and cold tonight…those who long only to hear that they are loved…those we lift up in prayer to you this day…God made know in Jesus Christ,
All:      hear our prayer.

One:   We pray these things, trusting in God’s faithfulness revealed:
All:      Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.

One:   The body of Christ.

One:   The cup of the new covenant.

Prayer after Sharing

At this table, Christ is the host, welcoming all who hunger. At our tables, may Christ be our guest this day and always, that we might welcome hope, peace, joy, and love into our lives, and become hosts to God’s presence and people. God of Love, guide us to the stables of our world, where the lonely and longing gather. Lead us to the mangers of our time, where hope and renewal are born again. Make us heralds of your love and joy. Amen.

(adapted from Andy O’Neill)

Hymn – “Prepare the Way”

Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.
O blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Christ brings God’s rule, O Zion, he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom, and just, truth, and love.
Life high your praise resounding, for grace and joy abounding.
O Blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Fling wide your gates, O Zion, your Saviour’s rule embrace.
And tidings of salvation proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing, their adoration voicing.
O blest is Christ that came in God’s most holy name.

Benediction

Take your encouragement from Christ, that your joy may be complete. We will share in the Spirit; we will find consolation in love. Practice a ministry of humility and compassion. For God is a work in you, empowering you. We will welcome Christ into our hearts. We will live lives worthy of the Gospel. We will go forth in hope and peace.

Response

Saviour, dwell with us that we may go forth, your light to be.
Send us out, good news to sing; hope, peace, joy, and love to bring.
God incarnate, with us dwell. Come, O come, Emmanuel.
Come, Lord Jesus, don’t delay; shine your peace through us this day.
Saviour, dwell with us.