CALL TO WORSHIP
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength; ascribe to the Lord the glory of his Name.
We will worship the Lord in holy splendor.
May God give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, Eternal King, on this day as we prepare for the coming of the Prince of Peace, we pray for peace in our days, peace in our hearts, peace in our families, peace in the church; peace in our country, peace on earth. Make our lives a prayer of peace for the world, and may our presence bring harmony to conflict and calm to chaos. This we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
May God give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, Eternal King, on this day as we prepare for the coming of the Prince of Peace, we pray for peace in our days, peace in our hearts, peace in our families, peace in the church; peace in our country, peace on earth. Make our lives a prayer of peace for the world, and may our presence bring harmony to conflict and calm to chaos. This we pray in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ADVENT WREATH
We have heard the promise: God's Chosen One will soon be among us. We must make ready.
Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths!
On the day of the Lord, all creatures will live together in friendship, and a little child shall lead them. So we light this candle of peace to shine in the midst of trouble. May it lead us along peaceful paths until Messiah comes.
O come, O come, Emmanuel.
Send your Spirit into every corner of our hearts. Grant us peace and understanding, that we may prepare well for the coming of the Prince of Peace, in whose Name we pray. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, Light of the World, you caused light to shine out of darkness in the advent of Jesus the Christ, and you have prepared for us a highway in the wilderness. We have heard the promise: God's Chosen One will soon be among us. We must make ready.
Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths!
On the day of the Lord, all creatures will live together in friendship, and a little child shall lead them. So we light this candle of peace to shine in the midst of trouble. May it lead us along peaceful paths until Messiah comes.
O come, O come, Emmanuel.
[The second candle is lit.]
Let us pray. Send your Spirit into every corner of our hearts. Grant us peace and understanding, that we may prepare well for the coming of the Prince of Peace, in whose Name we pray. Amen.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We confess our unwillingness to see the light and to walk in your ways. We have not always opened our eyes to the needs of others, and our feet have wandered from the paths of justice and peace. May the Spirit of Christ be born anew within us, we pray, that our hearts may be stirred to glorify his coming among us with acts of compassion and service; in his Name. Amen.
—Chalice Worship (alt.)
As you go forth from this sanctuary today, may you follow the path of peace. And as God speaks peace to God’s people, may you be a voice in the wilderness, speaking peace to your neighbors.
And may the peace of + God which surpasses human understanding, the unconditional love of Jesus Christ, and the unifying grace of the Holy Spirit be with you both today and forevermore. Amen.
