There will NOT be a Faith Focus this week or next week. Consider still taking some time in the midst of all the busyness of Christmas preparation to read and reflect upon God’s Word and spend some time in God’s presence. Here are some of the elements from Sunday’s worship to reflect upon:

ADVENT CANDLE READING:

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

The people walking in darkness

have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

a light has dawned.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this.

The “great light” prophesied by Isaiah is echoed in the first words of John’s Gospel, proclaiming the light of Christ, which is good news! Jesus Christ, who is our peace, has been there from the beginning. The Word is made flesh and dwells among us.

With anticipation and expectation, we relight the candles of Hope, Joy, and Love. As we light the candle for PEACE, we are reminded of the great light of Peace that we have in Christ, and of God’s promises of “Peace on earth, good will to all.” Let us prepare our hearts for the Advent of Christ in our world.

Let us pray:

Gracious God, as we prepare for our Lord’s birth, may we experience Your peace. May divisions in ourselves and in our families be peacefully resolved. May there be peace in our cities and around the world. Help us to see the paths of peace in our lives, and then give us the courage to follow them. Lord, help us to always remember that only You are the giver of lasting peace and that You are always with us. Amen.

RESPONSIVE READING (adapted from Philippians 4:4-7)

Leader: Rejoice in the Lord always.

People: We will say it again: Rejoice!

L: Let our gentleness be evident to all.

P: For You Lord, are near. You are with us and among us.

L: As we put out trust in You,

P: We will not be anxious.

L: In every situation, by prayer and petition,

P: With thanksgiving, we present our requests to You, Lord.

All: Your peace, which transcends all understanding,

Guards our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

UNISON PRAYER:

Peace Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

SCRIPTURES:

John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Colossians 1:19-20

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

John 14:27 (Jesus said)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:33 (Jesus said)

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Found in both Psalm 34:14 and 1 Peter 3:11- “seek peace and pursue it”:

Psalm 34:14

Turn from evil and do good;

seek peace and pursue it.

1 Peter 3:11

They must turn from evil and do good;

they must seek peace and pursue it.

SONG LYRICS:

Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates (UMH #213)

1. Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates;

behold, the King of glory waits;

the King of kings is drawing near;

the Savior of the world is here!

2. Fling wide the portals of your heart;

make it a temple, set apart

from earthly use for heaven’s employ,

adorned with prayer and love and joy.

3. Redeemer, come, with us abide;

our hearts to thee we open wide;

let us thy inner presence feel;

thy grace and love in us reveal.

4. Thy Holy Spirit lead us on

until our glorious goal is won;

eternal praise, eternal fame

be offered, Savior, to thy name!

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (UMH#218 v.1,3,4)

1. 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.

3. 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!

4. For lo! the days are hastening on,

by prophet seen of old,

when with the ever-circling years

shall come the time foretold

when peace shall over all the earth

its ancient splendors fling,

and the whole world send back the song

which now the angels sing.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing (UMH #240)

1. Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new born King,

peace on earth, and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled!”

Joyful, all ye nations rise,

join the triumph of the skies;

with th’ angelic host proclaim,

“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new born King!”

2. Christ, by highest heaven adored;

Christ, the everlasting Lord;

late in time behold him come,

offspring of a virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

hail th’ incarnate Deity,

pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus, our Emmanuel.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new born King!”

3. Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of Righteousness!

Light and life to all he brings,

risen with healing in his wings.

Mild he lays his glory by,

born that we no more may die,

born to raise us from the earth,

born to give us second birth.

Hark! the herald angels sing,

“Glory to the new born King!”