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Sunday, December 2, 2007

Seek Peace!

First Sunday of Advent (Peace)

Scriptures: Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11–14; Matthew 24:36–44/24:43–51 IV; II Nephi 8:18–21; Doctrine and Covenants 152:4d

Sharing Christ’s Peace

Strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on earth…. Pursue peace. —Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b

Prelude

Welcome

Advent Theme Song: “An Advent Song” (Tune: “Away in a Manger,” HS 232/233) A new verse will be added each Sunday.

A candle is burning, a candle of PEACE,
A candle to signal that conflict must cease.
For Jesus is coming to show us the way,
A message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
—Used by permission, Sandra Dean, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Advent Reading: “What Is Known and Unknown This Year?”

Light the first candle—the candle of peace. Use various ages in the reading and candle lighting.

Call to Worship: Psalm 122:6–9

*Hymn of Longing: “Come Now, Nativity of Peace!” (Tune: HS 236).

*Invocation

*Response

Musical Meditation: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” vocal or instrumental HS 211

Communion Message: Based on Isaiah 2:1–5

Hymn:

“Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” Prepare emblems during hymn. SP 15
OR “We Come, Aware of Sin” HS 334

Time of Reflection

If HS 334 was not sung, have someone read the first stanza aloud. Follow the reading with one to two minutes of silent reflection.

Scriptural Affirmation: Doctrine and Covenants 152:4d

Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine

Prayer for Peace

Disciples’ Generous Response

Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries Mission Tithes. Offertory stories are provided to keep the church in touch with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ. Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information as part of your offertory ministry. Visit www.CofChrist.org/offertory to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.

Reflection: “Only in Peace and Unity”

Leader: Only in peace and unity can the work of the Lord be accomplished. To this task let the church devote its energies.
People: Lord, unify and strengthen us for our task.
Leader: Let nothing separate you from each other and the work whereunto you have been called; my Spirit will be with you always.
People: So be it, Amen.
—Prayers and Readings for Worship, Vol. 2, Peter Judd, ed. (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 1996), 78.

Blessing and Offering of Mission Tithes and Oblation

*Hymn:

“Instruments of Your Peace” NS 21
OR “Leave We Now the Table of Our Lord” HS 326

*Closing Prayer

*Response

*Sending Forth: “Go in Peace”

We are sent forth to be stewards:
              to meet life head on,
              to respond,
              to reach out,
              to give of ourselves to those persons and situations which confront us.
Go in peace.
—Judy Judd from Prayers and Readings for Worship, Judy Judd, ed. (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 1987), 126.

*Postlude

What Is Known and Unknown This Year?

Reader 1: What is known and unknown this year?… We know that tomorrow is not predictable. We know that life is fragile and fleeting. We know that millions go to bed hungry, that beneath our varied shades of skin our blood is the same color. We know that we cannot corner God, or pridefully celebrate religious purity and exclusivism. We know that pain and suffering is a family affair—that all God’s children walking on sand or sidewalk, breathing the same air, warmed by the same sun, gazing at the same star-dusted sky are of inestimable worth. We know that somehow this helpless babe born in a manger is everybody’s baby—Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, saint and sinner—because we are all God’s children.

Reader 2: But wait, there is more. We know Advent brings nativity’s promise anew. A promise given to a bewildered girl. A promise given to her soul-sick financé, to star-struck shepherds, to all God’s family. A promise wrapped up in that first brief Christmas sermon—“Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy!” It’s a message of joy, hope, love, and peace. It’s the central message of every sermon, every act of worship. Can you hear it?

Angel:  “Fear not, I have good news! Don’t be afraid, Mary. Don’t be afraid, Joseph. Don’t be afraid, friends; there is something happening far more important tonight than your jobs on a moonlit hillside!”

Reader 1: And, oh, what a promise it is! Listen to it echoing down the centuries:

Angel:  Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God…Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low…And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed…lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! (Isaiah 40). Arise; shine; for thy light is come…(Isaiah 60). Behold, a virgin shall conceive (Isaiah 7).

Reader 2: Can you hear it? Good news amid bad news. Don’t trundle off aimlessly in the dark for “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Reader 1: Known and unknown. In the midst of ambiguity, we are called to be persons of faith. Advent’s message is, “Do not be afraid!” Life may indeed hold many unknowns. No one knows what tomorrow will bring but nativity says, “Have no fear! Don’t carry your life in coffee-spoons.” Pour your life out! Live it! Expect the unexpected. Nativity is coming. Count on it! Something remarkable, something certain is going to happen, and the clock is ticking.
—Adapted from Danny A. Belrose, Wave Offerings (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 2005), 121.

Come Now, Nativity of Peace!
Christmas 8.6.8.6.6. Tune: HS 236

Come now, Nativity of Peace!
Be born in us we pray
And from your starlit stable birth
Transform death’s night to day
On earth, O God, on earth.
Come now, Nativity of Peace!
Our world awaits Christ’s birth
Of right relationships restored,
Affirming each soul’s worth—
On earth, O God, on earth.
Come now, Nativity of Peace!
Alive in ev’ry nation—
An active peace that will not dwell
In splendid isolation
On earth, O God, on earth.
Come now, Nativity of Peace—
Where gender bears no blessing,
Where names for God do not divide
Our many truths confessing
On earth, O God, on earth.
Come now, Nativity of Peace—
Not resident in heav’n,
But birthed within the here and now
To make of earth a heav’n,
On earth, O God, on earth.
—Danny A. Belrose, Wave Offerings (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 2005), 123.

Sermon Helps

Scriptures: Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11–14; Matthew 24:36–44/24:43–51 IV; II Nephi 8:18–21; Doctrine and Covenants 152:4d

Exploring the Scriptures

Today the Advent season begins. The word “advent” is derived from the Latin adventus meaning “coming.” We live in anticipation of what is coming as we once again prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Disciples of old also anticipated what was coming. As an example, Isaiah 2 begins with a vision of the establishment of the Lord’s house. It is a place where people will come to learn of God’s ways and be sent forth to share the word of God so that the world can experience shalom. Isaiah shares his vision of peace where swords are beat into plowshares and spears are turned into pruning hooks. Isaiah tells how nations will not lift up sword against each other, and no one will need to learn the ways of war. This passage ends with an invitation for the people of God to walk in God’s light.

Isaiah shared his vision with a troubled Israel. Israel was accustomed to the continued presence and devastation of war. They were a people who were accustomed to living under the rule of other nations. Israel dreamed of a time when God would enter the world and bring an end to war and suffering, establishing peace on earth. Israel anticipated what was coming from God but did not see their part in bringing forth the house of the Lord.

Isaiah also anticipated what was coming from God—a vision of peace for all people, not just for Israel. Isaiah also envisioned the role that Israel needed to play in seeking peace: a time when Israel would be faithful by walking in God’s light, allowing God to be God. Isaiah’s faith was grounded in his understanding that the God of Israel was the same God who had heard the cries of oppressed slaves in Egypt and entered history to relieve their oppression. Isaiah had faith in a just God who would not tolerate oppression in the world and would call upon faithful disciples to seek peace serving as instruments of God’s peace.

Today we participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. We partake of the bread and the wine with expectation and anticipation of what is coming. Like the Israelites, our life and our world are often without peace. We may be in bondage to our life circumstances, and we may be waiting for God to come and set us free. Like the Israelites, we have a part to play in bringing about God’s peace. Isaiah’s invitation to the house of Jacob to come and walk in the light of the Lord is extended anew to us this day. God is calling each of us to come to the table, to remember God’s generous outpouring of love and grace through the gift of God’s son, Jesus, and to trust that God’s Spirit goes with us as we serve as God’s instruments in seeking peace in our world.

Central Ideas

1. Advent is a time of anticipation and expectation of what is coming and what role we play in this coming. We experience Christ’s coming every day in the gift of God’s creation, in the positive actions of people who surround us, and in our own actions, as we serve as Christ’s hands and feet in the world. As we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we remember what God has done for us so far, and we anticipate how we can cocreate with God what is coming.
2. God is inviting us to be instruments in seeking peace in our world. Sometimes, like the Israelites, we wait to see what God will do for us. We invite God to bring us peace. But our receiving of God’s peace is only the beginning of seeking peace. As we receive God’s generosity, we are transformed and compelled to share. As we seek peace, we become instruments of peace, sharing with others the Good News of Christ’s peace for all.

Questions for the Speaker

1. What is your vision of what is coming and the role that disciples today play?
2. What does it mean to be God’s instruments seeking peace in the world?
3. How can you put faith into action serving as God’s instruments of peace?

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