Songs:
“Angels from the Realms of Glory” words and music by James Montgomery
Public Domain
Used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690
“Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” by Charles Wesley and Josh Wicker
Public Domain
Used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690
“O Little Town of Bethlehem” by Phillips Brooks & Lewis Henry Redner
Public Domain
Used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690
“Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery” by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell & Michael Bleeker
© 2012 Dayspring Music, Bleecker Publishing & Centricity Music Publishing
Used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken & Louis Bourgeois
Public Domain
Used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690
Call To Worship: Advent Week Four – Peace
For His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. May the Lord give strength to His people! May the Lord bless His people with peace! The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Classic Prayer: Kim Thomas
Our Father, Your gracious eye has never lost sight of us – your care, protection, and guidance safely anchor us to unshifting ground. But as you know, there so easily remains within our shalom-broken-selves, unrest, an undefinable longing and the peace-thief steals and sets fire to our embers of wellness. We suffer in cycles of grudges and grace famines, critical of others while our own failures extort our peace. And in Advent our Lord, we come and sit quietly before nativities, meditating on the reminder that “Christ has come, Savior of the World – the Prince of Peace”, and the tiny child in the hay-filled manger seems too meek, surrounded by family, stranger and beast, to be one to settle the fevered unrest of our hearts, much less our globe. But for a moment, looking into the scene, we have a glimpse of your perspective Father – big, seeing it all at once, directing the pieces, and you- ONE WITH THE SON! Ah yes, and that is where our knees bend and our heads bow, our arms lift to you! Our peace is not uncertain, but sometimes beyond understanding. It is not meek, but sometimes at work in unexpected ways. It is not the absence of conflict or the resigned tolerance of the way things are, it is a blessed flourishing and wholeness that rearranges the despair laden landscape holding our peace hostage – and quietly, the baby child will become a man …“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.” And these words, this promise, sort us again. And again. While your peace blankets us heavily in an uncertain world. AMEN.