During the four weeks of Advent we will be lighting a candle on the Advent Wreath. The four themes are: HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE.
MEDITATION THOUGHT: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27
WE GATHER AS THE CHURCH
Candle Lighting (Our memorial candle rests upon 55 black stones which represent the number of children who die each week from gun violence.)
Welcome and Announcements
Passing the Peace of Christ
One: The Peace of Christ be with you. Two: And also with you. Pass it on at church and home.
Hymn of Gathering #82
CALL TO WORSHIP: ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING “PEACE”
Leader: We recall the pop song verse, “All we are saying is give peace a chance. Yet real peace eludes as no matter how hard we try.
People: So today we light the candle of peace remembering that Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. Christ comes to bring justice, wholeness, shalom in every relationship throughout all of creation.
Unison: Peace starts in our hearts and minds and radiates out to everyone.
INVOCATION:
God of hope and peace, we long to experience, in our lives, a peace that settles us down so that we can respond to all the unrest, dis-ease, clamor of anger, confusion and even despair prevalent all around us. We seek to be your peacemakers and lean on you as we participate in worship. Open us up to receive your presence and peace promised to us. Amen.
Gloria Patri:
Glory to the Creator, the Christ, the Holy Spirit, Three in One; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD
Prayer of Illumination:
As we open ourselves to the presence of your Word in sacred scripture, may the voice of the prophet Isaiah and the testimony John, recorded by Mark bring us a deeper understanding of the advent of Jesus the Christ into human history. Amen
SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Isaiah 40:1-5 Mark 1:1-8
HYMN # 121 Verses 1 &3 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
Homily Peace The Rev. Art Yost
Prayers of the People, Pastoral Prayer and The Lord’s Prayer
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
INVITATION
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
PASSING THE BREAD AND THE CUP
We Are Sent Forth
Hymn of Journey # 840 verses1 &4 “When Peace Like A River”
(Place your commitment to the mission and ministries of North Church in the offering plate or mail your contribution to North Church P O Box 307, New Hartford CT.)
Common Commission
As we go forth, “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…and the God of peace will be with you.” Amen (Philippians 4:8-9)
Benediction:
The God of Peace grant you peace to face an anxious and troubled world. May God give us the courage to be peacemakers, to be bearers of hope, to be dispensers of grace, and revealers of your eternal love. Amen.
Postlude:
Noel Louise-Claude Daquin (1694-1772)
North Congregational Church 