The second Sunday of Advent is all about peace. Something that we could all use a little more of these days. And, because it’s the first Sunday of the month, we’ll also be celebrating communion. You’re invited to join us on Facebook Live or in person (with a mask). The words that we’ll be using for worship are below, but you can also download and print a copy here.

Prelude               The Father’s Rose

Call to Worship – Joel 2

Then the Lord became jealous for his land,
   and had pity on his people.
In response to his people the Lord said:
I am sending you
   grain, wine, and oil,
   and you will be satisfied;
and I will no more make you
   a mockery among the nations.

I will remove the northern army far from you,
   and drive it into a parched and desolate land,
its front into the eastern sea,
   and its rear into the western sea;
its stench and foul smell will rise up.
   Surely he has done great things!

Do not fear, O soil;
   be glad and rejoice,
   for the Lord has done great things!
Do not fear, you animals of the field,
   for the pastures of the wilderness are green;
the tree bears its fruit,
   the fig tree and vine give their full yield.

O children of Zion, be glad
   and rejoice in the Lord your God;
for he has given the early rain for your vindication,
   he has poured down for you abundant rain,
   the early and the later rain, as before.
The threshing-floors shall be full of grain,
   the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.

Song – Song of the Prophets  #53 vv. 1, 7, 18

Prayer of Confession

Most high and holy God, it’s not often that we try to make do with less in a world that encourages us to strive for more. It’s not often that we seek a fast in a world that wants so much to be full. It’s not often that we recognize you in our emptiness when the world only knows you in abundance. But Jesus reminds us that it is in letting go, in losing, and in being last that we find you. We confess our unease with this truth and the ways that we resist it. We ask for your Holy Spirit so that we might grow in the confidence that your grace is sufficient for us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Song – Imagine  #72

Words of Assurance

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

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Anthem – Evermore

Scripture – Joel 2:12-14, 28-29

Yet even now, says the Lord,
   return to me with all your heart,
with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
   rend your hearts and not your clothing.
Return to the Lord, your God,
   for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love,
   and relents from punishing.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
   and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain-offering and a drink-offering
   for the Lord, your God?

Then afterwards
   I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
   your old men shall dream dreams,
   and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female slaves,
   in those days, I will pour out my spirit.

Sermon – “Advent Peace”

Song – Come, Thou Almighty King  #492

Celebration of the Lord’s Supper

Prayers w/ Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

Offertory – Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming  #79

Benediction

Sending Song – Jesus, Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child  #99