Turning Over the World

Opening Announcements — Rev. Johan Dodge

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship!

Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact

with this growing community of faith. And so if you are joining us for

the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday. You are

welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is

the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow, in every generation.

Praise God, all creatures here below, the blessed incarnation.

Praise God above, ye heavenly host, Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Let all creation praise the Lord with love and adoration.

LIGHTING OF THE FIFTH CANDLE OF ADVENT- “Peace”

Jenny Chang and Nancy Trujillo

Leader: This week, we find ourselves in a time of very little peace

both in our own country and throughout the world. Some have

suggested that in solidarity with our siblings caught in wars around

the globe, we not light the candle of peace this year. Others have

suggested that now more than ever we need Peace in the world. We

light the candle of peace this year as a reminder that we are to be the

light of Christ in the world. We are to bring the peace that we are

praying for. As you prepare your breakfast, think of others far away then think of

yourself and say:

People: “If only I were a candle in the dark.”

Leader: As you conduct your wars, think of others who also seek

peace then think of yourself and say:

People: “If only I were a candle in the dark.”

Leader: As you pay your water bill, think of others f who are nursed

by clouds then think of yourself and say:

People: “If only I were a candle in the dark.”

Leader: As you return home, to your home, think of others in camps

then think of yourself and say:

People: “If only I were a candle in the dark.”

Leader: As you sleep and count the stars, think of others near and far

away who have nowhere to sleep then think of yourself and say:

People: “If only I were a candle in the dark.”

Leader: As you liberate yourself in metaphor, think of others who

have lost the right to speak then think of yourself and say:

People: “If only I were a candle in the dark.”

*Based on a poem by Mahmoud Darwish

Leader: We light this candle as the Candle of Peace.

_ [please be seated]

As heralds of God’s good tidings, let us lift up our voices with strength

this day praying to the One who comforts, restores, and heals. Let us

pray for all leaders and people of the world. You have created one

human family to live in righteousness and peace.

Give us the wisdom to order our common life according to your

loving purposes, that your glory may be revealed and all people

shall see it together. I Let us pray for your church. You have given us the gift of the Messiah

so that your church may be steadfast and true.

Give us strength to follow your Son until all have come to

repentance and are reconciled by his love.

Let us pray for those who are sick, who suffer need, who are exiled or

in danger. You have made us for a holy purpose, to comfort and care

for each other.

Give us compassion to love our neighbor and patience to care

for those in need.

Let us pray for your creation. Your faithfulness springs up from the

ground, and your goodness looks down from the sky.

Rid us of the laziness and greed that diminish life as you teach

us to care for your creation together.

Let us remember those who have died.

Ever-living God, one day in your presence is like a thousand

years, and a thousand years are like one day. Make us one with

the saints, who have found their eternal home in you, Father,

Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Mighty God, send your Holy Spirit to speak peace into our hearts, that the good news of this age may be proclaimed through your word and the ways we live out your teachings. Amen.

Isaiah 40:1-11 ¹ Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. ² Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ⁴ Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. ⁵ Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” ⁶ A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. ⁷ The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. ⁸ The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. ⁹ Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” ¹⁰ See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. ¹¹ He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep. Mark 1:1-8 ¹ The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. ² As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; ³ the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,” 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵ And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶ Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷ He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸ 1 have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

The prophet Isaiah announces good news: God comforts and

strengthens a wearied and exiled people in preparation for their

homeward journey. Mark’s Gospel announces the good news of God

in Jesus Christ: God comes to turn the world right side up and baptize

us with the Holy Spirit. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the

Messiah, what is the beginning of God’s good news in your life, and

how will it change the way you approach this season of acting as

God’s peace?

Hannah Yi, pianist

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Virginia Olejnik

The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.

May your righteousness go before God and prepare a pathway for

the Lord. Let us offer our lives and labor to God and fulfill our vows to

the Most High.

Lord, we give you thanks that in the coming of Christ your steadfast love and faithfulness have met and your loving- kindness and peace have kissed. May the gifts we offer this day serve those in need and transform the world around us. Amen.

The day of the Lord is here; therefore strive to live in peace and may faithfulness spring up from the ground and loving kindness look down from heaven as you walk in the way of peace, and may the blessing of God, Eternal Majesty, Living Word, and Holy Comforter, be with you now and always. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.