December 5 – Vision of Peace

The season of anticipation continues, as we light the second candle on the Advent wreath. This is the candle of peace. Our congregation, our community, and our world pray for peace on this day.

As we begin worship today, please gather the elements for communion. We celebrate open communion in the United Church of Christ, so all are welcome at our table.

WELCOME

PRELUDE – Shepherds came, their praises bringing – Walcha

*CALL TO WORSHIP
One: In the wilderness, blaze a trail for God.
All: Every valley shall be raised up.
One: Every mountain shall be made low.
All: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed among us.

*HYMN – It Came Upon the Midnight Clear – #199

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold
When the new heav’n and earth shall own
The Prince of Peace their King.
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.

*PRAYER OF INVOCATION – (adapted from Psalm 72)
God of wanderers in the wilderness; we enter this moment of worship expecting that, when we leave this church sanctuary, we will be filled with courage needed to stand as your witnesses in the world. We set foot here on holy ground to feel closer to you, O God. This sacred space offers blessing. Let righteousness flourish. Let peace abound.
From generation to generation, you are God, who does wondrous things! We gather to worship you, in the Spirit of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING – The Candle of Peace

*RESPONSE – Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming (Verse 2) – #196

Isaiah ’twas foretold it,
The Rose I have in mind:
With Mary we behold it,
The virgin mother kind.
To show God’s love aright
She bore to men a Savior
When half-spent was the night.

GOD’S WORD – Matthew 3:1-12

SPECIAL MUSIC – Away in the Manger – Cotter

GOD’S WORD – Isaiah 11:1-10

SERMON – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ – worship booklet, p. 64

Let us talents and tongues employ,
reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound

Christ is able to make us one,
at his table he set the tone,
teaching people to live to bless,
love in word and in deed express.
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

Jesus calls us in, sends us out
bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) everywhere!
Jesus lives again; earth can breathe again.
Pass the Word around: loaves abound!

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION – All are welcome at God’s table.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Make Way – worship booklet, p. 69

Make way, make way, for Christ the King
in splendor arrives.
Fling wide the gates and welcome him
into your lives.

Chorus:
Make way, make way for the
King of kings. Make
way, make way!
and let his kingdom in.

He comes, the broken hearts to heal,
the prisoners to free.
The deaf shall hear, the lame shall dance,
the blind shall see. (chorus)

And those who mourn with heavy hearts
who weep and sigh;
with laughter, joy and royal crown
he’ll beautify. (chorus)

We call you now to worship him
as Lord of all,
To have no gods before him
Their thrones must fall. (chorus)

*BENEDICTION – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Dialogue from Magnificat – Dandrieu

Dec. 5 Livestream – Make Ready

This is the second Sunday of Advent, our second step toward the Promise of Christmas. The second step toward finding the quiet, calm and peace that comes from knowing God is in control. We are glad you are with us today.

 WELCOME

 PRELUDE – In Bethlehem’s Low Stable – Walcha 

*CALLING ONE ANOTHER TO WORSHIP                                                                            

     One:  The days are surely coming, says our God, when justice and righteousness will appear.

     All:  God’s promises will be made known to us.

     One:  We will declare God’s goodness and salvation.

     All:  From now on, we will seek to walk in God’s ways. 

*HYMN – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Verses 1, 2 and 3) – #186 

O, come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

REFRAIN
Rejoice! rejoice! Emanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From Depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave.

REFRAIN

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
And drive away the shades of night,
And pierce the clouds and bring us light!

REFRAIN

*OPENING PRAYER                                                         

          God Emmanuel; we long for your peace, and we trust in your promises. We hear your call to turn toward you, to change our lives, and to receive you as our Savior.

          Eternal God, you are our righteousness.  Come now; meet us here.  Fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your peace.  May this time of worship move us to take action working toward your dream of wholeness for all creation.  We pray in your name, Christ Jesus.  Amen.

ADVENT WREATH CANDLE LIGHTING – The Candle of God’s Peace

ADVENT WREATH PRAYER 

         Gracious God, as we continue our Advent journey, we thank you for sending the Prince of Peace into a world filled with unrest and strife. We ask that you quiet our restless hearts and instill in each of us the calm assurance that tells us you are in control so we need not worry. Give us the tools we need to serve as you would have us serve, and make us willing instruments of your peace.  Amen.

 CONGREGATION SINGS – When God Is a Child (Verse 2) – worship booklet, p. 95

Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving us promise of safety and worth.
When God is a child there’s join in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
And none shall be afraid.

 GOD’S WORD – Micah 5:2-5a – Pastor Dan

 SPECIAL MUSIC – Go, Tell It on the Mountain – Hayes 

 GOD’S WORD – Luke 3:1-6 – Pastor Dan    

 SERMON – Pastor Dan

*PRAISE RESPONSE – Jesus, Lord to Me – #330

Jesus, Jesus, Lord to me;
Master, Savior, Prince of Peace;
Ruler of my heart today;
Jesus, Lord to me.

 CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORD’S PRAYERS – Pastor Dan

*HYMN – Like a River Glorious – #451

Like a river glorious Is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious In its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth Fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it growth Deeper all the way.

REFRAIN
Stayed upon Jehovah, Hearts are fully blest;
Finding, as He promised, Perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow Of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, Never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, Not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry Touch the spirit there.

REFRAIN

Every joy or trial Falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial By the Son of Love.
We may trust Him fully All for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly Find Him wholly true.

REFRAIN

*SENDING OUT – God sends us into the world. – Pastor Dan

*POSTLUDE – Angels We Have Heard on High – Turner

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