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WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
TO PONDER:
On this Second Sunday of Advent which focuses on peace, what concrete
efforts can we make to bring peace to our violent world?
MUSIC PRELUDE
HYMN:
"Come, thou long-expected Jesus" V.U. 2
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
The desert shall bloom and the wilderness shall rejoice.
All of creation will bloom like a rose.
God's glory will be revealed in all the world.
Valleys shall be lifted up and mountains made low.
God will level out our unequal world.
We will worship and give thanks for a loving God.
OPENING PRAYER
In a world overcome by violence, we remember the Prince of Peace.
In the midst of greed and selfishness, we rejoice in God's
unconditional gift of love.
In an age burdened by despair and lack of hope, we announce the advent of
the promised One.
In a society that defines itself by success, we encounter the Suffering
Servant.
Among a people who have lost direction we celebrate One who is the Way.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: Advent 2: PEACE
Cathy and Glenn Baskerville
(The First Advent Candle is lit)
Come now, O God of peace
We are Your people.
Pour out Your Spirit on all who long for Your gift of peace. . . .
As we prepare for the Child who will lead us toward love and justice.
(Second Advent Candle is lit)
SUNG RESPONSE
: O So-So V.U. 34
Come now, O God of peace, we are Your people
Pour out Your Spirit that we may be one body.
HYMN:
"Comfort, Comfort now my people" V.U. 883
ANTHEM
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (In Unison) ong>
God of the past and of this present moment, we confess that we have
tunnel vision failing to see beyond tomorrow's deadline. Lost in our
own little worlds, we let an entire world go by unnoticed. We have
allowed frustration to overcome patience and anxiety to replace faith.
Give us a wider vision and a future much larger than our moment in
time. May we have faith to live in Your promise of a better world. Amen
ASSURANCE OF PARDON sus has come into our world with the assurance of an undying and
unconditional love. May we receive his promise of forgiveness for all we
have done and especially for what we have left undone.
RESPONSE: V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace
PASTORAL PRAYER
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
HYMN: "
There's a voice in the wilderness" V.U. 18
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where
many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you
thanks,
O God. V.U.552
OFFERTORY PRAYER: We give thanks, O Generous and loving God, for all
that Your bounty has offered; forgive us for the gifts we have wasted,
neglected or abused. As we dedicate these offerings, we do so trusting
in Your grace and not in our lack of faith. AMEN
