OW for Worship at Home for Holy Communion Sunday, December 6th, 2020
Anthem: “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” by Charles Wesley, arr. by Ray Woods, sung by GGUMC Chancel Choir, Bill Shelly conducting, Organist: N. Guinaldo, recorded December 8th, 2019
Introduction by Rev. Dr. Bau Dang
An instrumental passage from “Light the Advent Candle” by Mary Lu Walker with slides from UMC.org
Lighting of the Hope and Peace Candles by Mary Lou Ball and Linda Shepard.
LITANY FOR SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Last Sunday we lit the first candle—the candle of hope. Today we light the second candle, the candle of peace. We light it knowing full well that peace is elusive, and in some parts of the world, it is almost completely absent. Yet in this season of Advent, we trust that God is never absent from us. God is always preparing something new. And even where there is war and discord, whether between countries, within families, or within our own hearts, God is present, gently leading us to new possibilities.
{Two candles are lit.}
All: Loving God, in this time of preparation and planning,
We thank you for the hope and peace you unfailingly offer us.
Show us the creative power of hope.
Teach us the peace that comes from justice.
Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you,
That we may walk in the light of Christ.
Benediction/Commission and Blessing
Take your encouragement from Christ,
that your joy may be complete.
We will share in the Spirit;
We will find consolation in love.
Practice a ministry of humility and compassion
For God is at work in you, empowering you
We will welcome Christ into our hearts.
We will lives worthy of the Gospel.
We will go forth in hope and in peace.
Opening Prayer by Rev. Dr. Bau Dang
Anthem: “Advent Prayer” arr. Liebergen, sung by GGUMC Chancel Choir, H. H. Hanson conducting, Pianist: N. Guinaldo, Flautist: Fernando Peñaloza, recorded December 9th, 2018
Announcements and Prayer List by Linda Shepard
Scripture Lesson: 2 Peter 3:8-15, read by Mary Lou Ball
Sermon: “Be Ready” by Rev. Dr. Bau Dang
Sacrament of Holy Communion by Rev. Dr. Bau Dang
Closing Prayer by Rev. Dr. Bau Dang
“O God of Peace,
In a world full of personal and national interests, tensions are everywhere. People are fighting or preparing for war all over the places, yet Lord, we are thankful for the peace that we have up till this moment.
O Christ, Prince of Peace, may the coming of Christmas once again reminds us of your desire is peace for humanity.
Help us, O Lord, to be the agents of peace and always have our hearts be ready for your coming again at any time.
Grant us faith to believe in you, even though the world might think of us as living in fantasy or out of this world.
Help us to be real witnesses for you in the midst of an unfavorable time.
Once again, we commit ourselves to you and to your care, in this life and the life to come.
In Christ’s sacred name we pray. Amen.”
Benediction by Rev. Dr. Bau Dang
Anthem: “Advent Hymn” by Besig, sung by GGUMC Choir, H. H. Hanson conducting, Piano: N. Guinaldo, recorded December 2nd, 2018