Peace Awareness Celebration
Accepting the Birth of Jesus in Our Lives
for the Community
Modern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
performing hymns of traditional foundation.
Everyone is Welcome!
Peace Awareness Celebration Introduction:
In this fourth Sunday of Advent we engage the final week of Advent preparation to worship our Lord as we celebrate his presence among us at Christmas. Like Mary we should consider ourselves blessed (joyful) as we engage reflection in the Faith Hope Love and Joy (Fruits of the Holy Spirit) that will bring us Peace that surpasses all human understanding and prepare ourselves for His presence in our lives this coming year.
The Magnificat is Mary’s song of praise to the Lord. Although her sacrifice will be great as mother to Jesus, she has genuinely experienced Faith and Hope in the engagement of a big commitment and is overwhelmed with Love and Joy.
In Hebrews we see that Jesus is the High Priest that is obedient to the Father. Jesus as man is a living example of how we should aspire to engage obedience to the Lord in our earthly lives.
As Elizabeth and Mary did, let us trust that God is coming to save and free us. May we be grateful that God has taken away our feelings of shame and inadequacy. May we respond to God’s love by welcoming the shameful and insecure. May we become a community that supports each other as we have Faith Hope and look forward to the experience that Love and Joy bring us in Peace with our lives.
Scripture:
They shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace. Micah 5:4-5.
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Psalm 80:7.
It is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:10.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Luke 1:41-2.
Hark! the herald angels sing
Charles Wesley (1739).
performed acapella by Rachel Mendonca
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King;
peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise;
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Prayer:
O God of Elizabeth and Mary,
you visited your servants with news of the world’s redemption
in the coming of the Savior.
Make our hearts leap with joy,
and fill our mouths with songs of praise,
that we may announce glad tidings of peace,
and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.
It came upon the midnight clear
Edmund H. Sears (1849).
performed by Josh Groban
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
to hear the angels sing.
Prayer:
Brothers and sisters,
as we joyfully await the glorious coming of the Christ,
let us pray for the needs of the church, our community, and the world.
God of promise,
you have given us a sign of your love
through the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior,
who was promised from ages past.
We believe as Joseph did
the message of your presence
whispered by an angel,
and offer our prayers for your world,
confident of your care and mercy for all creation. Amen.
Good Christian friends, rejoice
John Mason Neale Translator
Good Christian friends, rejoice
with heart and soul and voice;
give ye heed to what we say:
Jesus Christ was born today.
Ox and ass before him bow,
and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!
Prayer:
Shepherd of Israel,
you gently support the one who is with child
and call forth the Lamb who dances in the womb,
Stir our hearts to recognize Christ’s coming,
as Elizabeth recognized his presence
in Mary’s radiant obedience to your desire,
an open our souls to receive the one
who came to love your flock. Amen.
We are all stewards spreading the Word of Jesus’ blessings for His people.
Picnic Fellowship Activities for the Entire Family!
Of course lively discussion and activities will be available!
Perhaps you may prefer to sit and visit!
Please Contact Us with Special Requests!