PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP: Who are we, Lord God, that you should come to us? Yet, you have visited your people and redeemed us in your Son. As we prepare to celebrate his birth, make our hearts leap for joy at the sound of your Word, and move us by your Spirit to bless your wonderful works. Amen.
Lighting the Advent Wreath of Peace
L: In this season of Advent, we celebrate God’s peace.
P: Jesus Christ, whose birth we await, calls our community to justice and leads us in the way of peace.
L: Our community is forgiving. We call one another to honesty and humility and respond to each other with abundant grace.
P: Our community values relationships. We live in harmony with one another even when we disagree, and strive to glorify God in everything we do.
L: Our community longs for unity. We work together with other churches and organizations, and live out Gods reconciling love for all the world to see.
P: Together, we are a sign of God’s peace in the world.
Unison Prayer
God of all people and all nations, you break through the cynicism of our world and offer a vision of the lion and lamb lying down together. Open our eyes to see the signs of your coming kingdom and inspire us to participate in all you are doing in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer of Confession
Lord, over the centuries You have called to the human race in so many ways. You have shown us Yourself in the wonder of creation. You have sent messengers to tell us of Your love and to call us into relationship with You. Sometimes You have had to get our attention in dramatic ways. Those attempts have had one main purpose, to prepare us to recognize and receive Your Son. In spite of all You have done, we still miss chances to include Him in our lives. Forgive us for not opening our lives to the coming of our Lord and help us, during this advent season to prepare our hearts to receive Him in new ways. AMEN.
For Pastor Steve's sermon "A Light in the Dark", click here.
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