Second Sunday in Advent

December 7, 2025

The Gift of Peace

Introit:                                        

Come, O Come

Words by David Huntsinger Incorporating Scripture and Ancient Advent Hymns
Music by David and Bonnie Huntsinger

Lara Lignitz, soprano
Cathedral of Hope Orchestra

© 2008 Huntsinger Music

Call to Worship 

Holy God, we long for your peace, and trust in your promise:
we hear your call to turn toward you, to change our lives and welcome you in. Meet us here and fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your peace, that our worship together may open us to the challenge of your dream of wholeness for all. In the Name of the One who is coming to bring us peace, rise as you are able and sing!

**Processional Hymn

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lowly exile here, until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orders all things mightily.

to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;

and drive away the shades of night, and pierce the clouds and bring us light!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Desire of nations, bind all people in one heart and mind;

bid envy, strife and quarrels cease, fill all the world with heaven’s peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

Words: Latin, c. 12^th Century; versified 18^th Century
Translated by John M. Neale, 1851
Music: French Processional, 15^th Century

Welcome and Life of the Church

**Sharing of the Peace

The Candle of Peace

Call to Advent

O Come, Emmanuel

Arranged by Mark Hayes

Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

Words and Music: Mark Hayes from Child of Peace

© 2004 Hal Leonard Corporation

Rich:         We live in a world that at times seems filled with anger, hatred, war, envy and strife.

People are not at peace with one another or at peace with themselves. Many years ago, the people of God dreamed of a better world and understood, hope and expected that God would bring about their desire for peace.

Andria:     Hear the words of the prophet Isaiah:

 And many people shall go and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of God, to the house of the God of Jacob; that we may learn God’s ways and walk on holy paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of God from Jerusalem. God shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Dawson:  Let us pray:

Thank you, God, for the peace you give us. As we await your promised reign of peace, we ask that you strengthen us and dwell within us. Enable us to share your gift of peace with our troubled and war-torn world. We pray this in the name of the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us. Amen.

Rich:          Today we light the candle of Peace—the Peace that Christ brings to our troubled world.

Gradual

Shine On Us

Lord, let the light, light of your hope, shine on us.

Lord, let the light, light of your hope, shine on us.

That all may be saved, that all may have life;

To find the way in the darkest night,

Let your hope shine on us.

**Lord, let the light, light of your Word, shine on us.

Lord, let the light, light of your Word, shine on us.

That all may be saved, that all may have life;

To find the way in the darkest night,

Let your Word shine on us.

Let your Word shine on us.

Words and Music: Michael W. Smith and Deborah D. Smith

© 1996 O’Ryan Music

**Gospel Lesson: Luke 6:27-31, 36  

One: God be with you.

All: And also with you.

One: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

All: Glory to you, O God.

Jesus continued, “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Be merciful, just as your God is merciful.”

One: This is the Gospel of Hope.

All: Praise to you, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit.

**Gloria

Advent Gloria

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Words and Music: French Carol

Sermon

The Gift of Peace

Offering Call       

Offertory

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day 

Words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Music by Jean Baptiste Calkin
New words and music by Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, and Dale Oliver

Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra

I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play;
and mild and sweet their songs repeat of peace on earth, goodwill to all.
And the bells are ringing: “Peace on earth.”
Like a choir their singing: “Peace on earth.”
In my heart I hear them: “Peace on earth, goodwill to all.”

And in despair I bowed my head, “There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to all.”
But the bells are ringing: “Peace on earth.”
Like a choir their singing: “Peace on earth.”
Does anybody hear them? “Peace on earth, goodwill to all.”

Then rang the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor does God sleep;
the wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill to all.”

Then ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day.
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on earth, goodwill to all.
And the bells are ringing: “Peace on earth.”
Like a choir their singing: “Peace on earth.”
With our hearts, we’ll hear them: “Peace on earth, goodwill to all.”

Do you hear the bells? They’re ringing: “Peace on earth.”
Like the angels singing: “Peace on earth.”
Open up your heart and hear them: “Peace on earth, goodwill to all.”

© 2008 Club Zoo Music/SWECS Music/My Refuge Music/Travelin’Zoo Music/
Banahama Music/Word Music, LLC

Great Thanksgiving for Advent

Sursum Corda

Sanctus

Holy, holy, God, you are holy. Ruler of the sea and sky.

Angel hosts above adore you. Earth sings out its endless cry:

“Hail, hosanna in the highest!”

“Peace on earth,”

the heavens reply.

Words adapted from the Liturgy by David Moldenhauer

Music: French Carol, 17th Century

Words of Institution

Prayer of Consecration

Invitation to Communion

Music during Communion

Come, Emmanuel

Come and speak to us, come and renew us,

come and live through us, Emmanuel.

Grace to implore us, ever before us,

come and restore us, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Once mercy found us, still you astound us.

Hold and surround us, Emmanuel.

Living inside us, faithful to guide us,

cover and hide us, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Come, Emmanuel.

Words and Music: Twila Paris

© 2003 Ariose Music and Mountain Spring Music

Isn’t He?

Isn’t he beautiful? Beautiful, isn’t he? Prince of Peace, child of God, isn’t he?

Isn’t he wonderful? Wonderful, isn’t he? Counselor, almighty God.

Isn’t he, isn’t he, isn’t he, isn’t he?

Words and Music: John Wimber

©1980 Mercy Publishing

What Child Is This?

What child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this the angels sing, is Christ, God’s holy offering.

Haste, haste your praise to bring, the babe the child of Mary.

Why lies the child in manger bare where ox and ass are feeding?

give heed, draw near, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.

This, this the angels sing, is Christ, God’s holy offering.

Haste, haste your praise to bring, the babe the child of Mary.

Words and Music: Andy Irons © Andy Irons/RESOUNDworship.or

**Emmanuel

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, your name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, your name is called Emmanuel.

Words and Music: Bob McGee

© 1975 C.A. Music/C.A. Records, Inc.

**Prayer of Thanksgiving 

**Recessional Hymn:

Now Bless the God of Israel

Now bless the God of Israel, who comes in love and pow’r,
who raises from the royal house deliv’rance in this hour.
Through holy prophets God has sworn to free us from alarm,
to save us from the heavy hand of all who wish us harm.

Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear,
that we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year;
And you, my child, shall go before to preach, to prophesy,
that all may know the tender love, the grace of God most high.

In tender mercy, God will send the dayspring from on high,
our rising sun, the light of life for those who sit and sigh.
God comes to guide our way to peace, that death shall reign no more.
Sing praises to the Holy One! O worship and adore!

Words: Ruth C. Duck based on Luke 1:68-79
© 1992 GIA Publications, Inc. 
Music: Traditional English Melody

**Benediction         

Postlude for Dismissal

OneLicense.net License #A-705445 / CCLI License #12333