Liturgy

In this season of Advent,
may we grow still enough to hear
the small noises earth makes in preparing for the long sleep of winter,
so that we ourselves may grow calm and grounded deep within.

May we grow still enough to hear
the trickling of water seeping into the hard ground,
so that our souls may also be softened and healed, guided in its flow.

May we grow still enough to hear
the stir of winter’s wind in the air.
O, that our inner silence may turn into hushed expectation
of our Messiah’s arrival.

Peace….. the angel proclaimed.
But peace is as much a task as it is a gift.

This is why we ask of you, oh God, for a great inner stillness
which alone allows us to speak, even today,
without irony of “peace on earth”
and, without despair, to work towards it.

And so, on this second Sunday in Advent,
we light the second candle of peace,
praising the name of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

— written by Brother David Steindalrast

Congregational Prayer

In prayer, let us confess to God as a community.

O holy God, our very waiting in Advent is itself a confession:
If we are waiting for Emmanuel, we are not yet with you;
if we are waiting for Jesus, we need a Savior.

If we are waiting for the Messiah, the proud are still powerful,
the mighty are still exalted, the hungry stand unheard at the door.

If we are waiting for your incarnation in human form,
we confess that we have not known you in our sisters,
we have not loved you in our brothers,
we have not served you in our neighbors.

In this time of great meaning, in the stillness of Advent,
hear our deepest confession; heal us, forgive us,
make us new through the good tidings of our Savior,
Christ the Lord.

We ask of our God in community, holy in One.
Amen.

Reflection

Who are the enemies in our lives that we need to love so that our love will be overflowing?
Are we choosing what’s good or what’s best? Are we looking for what pleases God?

Benediction

In this Advent season, may God,
who has begun a good work within you,
continue that work until the day when Christ Jesus returns.

May your love overflow more and more;
may you continue to grow in knowledge and understanding,

so that you can clearly discern what really matters,
and so that you may stand pure and blameless before God
on the day of Christ’s return.

The God who calls you is faithful.
Go this week,
serving all in the name of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by Boots B @ Flickr]