{"id":1295,"date":"2015-12-13T08:00:38","date_gmt":"2015-12-13T14:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.peacelcmc.org\/?p=1295"},"modified":"2015-12-13T08:52:00","modified_gmt":"2015-12-13T14:52:00","slug":"peace-of-god-celebration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.peacelcmc.org\/?p=1295","title":{"rendered":"Peace of God Celebration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Peace of God Celebration
\nBaptized with the Holy Spirit
\nfor the Community.
\nModern Song Focus on Contemporary Church Artists
\nperforming hymns of traditional foundation.
\nEveryone is Welcome!<\/p>\n

\"Peace<\/a>
Peace of God<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peace of God Celebration Introduction:<\/p>\n

In this third Sunday of Advent, we come face to face with the meaning of “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.”
\nZephaniah’s prophetic vision of the presence of God in our lives brings us to face both judgement and joy in the same moment. If we love God as we are humanly capable, as we have always been loved by Him, we will have little to fear. “Swallow my pride” and in my humility (not thinking less of myself but thinking of myself less) I come to realize the meaning of the words “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”
\nIsaiah’s prophecy is practiced in a song of Thanksgiving. May we lift our voices in prayer.
\nIn time Paul learned to change his perspective on life. Paul gives us three “P”s: Perspective, Purpose and Press on. Even though life is full of challenges, many of them easily persuading us we may be headed toward dismal failure, we must trust in God, “put on our happy faces,” and be thankful for the blessings we do have now and those that will be coming our way in the future. We must stand firm in our love for God as we believe He has and will always love us.
\nJohn the Baptist is a “straight talker.” He does not offer kind words to people needing to repent their sinful ways. John wants us to understand that God’s mercy (Gospel) and justice (Law) can be considered one and the same in the believer’s spiritual life. We must open our hearts to God’s love and in turn show compassion and understanding to our neighbor. This may well require us to meet the objective by sharing our resources with our neighbor.<\/p>\n

Scripture:<\/p>\n

The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. Zeph. 3:15.
\nSurely God is my salvation. Isaiah 12:2.
\nThe peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:7.
\nHe will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16.<\/p>\n

Prayer:
\nGod of hope,
\nyou call us home from the exile of selfish oppression
\nto the freedom of justice,
\nthe balm of healing,
\nand the joy of sharing.
\nMake us strong to join you in your holy work,
\nas friends of strangers and victims,
\ncompanions of those whom others shun,
\nand as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken.
\nWe make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
\nAmen.<\/p>\n

O Come All Ye Faithful
\n“Adeste Fidelis” Latin.
\nMarcos Portugal (1649).
\nJohn Francis Wade (1744).
\n