We held virtual worship on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 10:00AM. You can watch a recording on Facebook by clicking here, or you may watch below.
Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.
All things break. And all things can be mended.
Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go.
Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally.
The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.L. R. Knost
WELCOME TO ADVENT 2 Mutsumi & Grant Corson
CALL TO WORSHIP Ted Loder, adapted
O God, grant us your sense of timing.
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
teach us the lessons of endings:
children growing
friends leaving
jobs concluding
stages finishing
grieving over
grudges over
blaming over
excuses over.
O God, grant us your sense of timing.
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
teach us the lessons of beginnings:
that such waitings and endings
may be a starting place,
of planting seeds
which bring to birth
what is ready to be born—
something right and just and different,
a new song,
a deeper relationship,
a fuller love—
in the fullness of your time.
O God, grant us your sense of timing.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Maren Tirabassi
In our homes
we gather around wreaths
to pray our lost hopes,
broken peace, limited joys,
and love so hard to find and share
in this season of coronavirus.
We affirm that our candles mean
we claim the power to call this season Advent
when God’s light comes into the world
nothing can overcome it.
Last week we lit the Candle of Hope.
We now light the Candle of Peace
in spite of: (share the fragmentation of our lives and world)
God’s peace illuminates the possibility
of reconciliation and healing
and brightens the path to joy.
Emmanuel, God be with us, in the week to come,
lighting hope and peace on the wick of our lives
so that we may shine on our world. Amen
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE Danielle Sturgeon & Family
HEBREW SCRIPTURE Isaiah 9:2-7
The people walking in darkness
are seeing a brilliant light —
upon those who dwell in a land of deep shadows
light is shining!
God, you have made the nation greater–
you have brought them abundant joy!
they celebrate in your presence
as with the harvest celebrations,
or as warriors celebrate when dividing spoils.
For the yoke that burdened them,
the weight on their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressors,
you have shattered it,
as you did at the defeat of Midian.
For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak that was dragged through blood
is now used as fuel for the fire.
For a child is born to us, an heir is given us;
upon whose shoulders dominion will rest.
This One shall be called
Wonderful Counsellor, the Strength of God,
Eternal Protector, Champion of Peace.
This dominion and this peace
will grow without end,
with David’s throne and realm,
sustained with justice and fairness,
now and forever.
The zeal of YHWH Omnipotent
will accomplish it!
REFLECTION Champions of Shalom Mitchell & Barb
MUSIC Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming music & photos
by Kathryn Parker
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK Steve Garnaas-Holmes
It is written in the prophet Isaiah:
See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Holy One,
make straight a path for God.” —Mark 1.2-3
God, how shall I prepare your way?
How might I announce your coming?
How might I live to make your coming plain?
How will I think, speak and act this day
as a messenger of grace
so those who yearn may hope,
and those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death may rejoice?
How do you enable me to live this gospel?
What path are you making in my heart?
How are you preparing your way in me?
Let me see, and hear,
and trust,
and follow
Amen.
SHARING PRAYERS
LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Until Jesus Comes music & photos
by Kathryn Parker
