Advent: Advent is a Protest Movement

Today we will light the Advent Candle of Peace. Advent peace is not a passive sitting back and letting things happen. No. Advent peace is a protest. It proclaims that things are not right. And it works to make things right. Everyone is welcome at Clackamas United Church of Christ. So we invite everyone to come and join the protest movement that is the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Prelude
Adam: God be with you.
All: And also with you.

Welcome and Announcements – Adam Ericksen

Lighting of the Peace Candle – Amira Stanley and Joel Ekdahl
Amira: Our tradition at CUCC is to light a peace candle at the beginning of each worship service to center ourselves around the Peace of God. Amira will lead us in the liturgy as Gavin lights the candle…
Joel: I invite you to join us in lighting the peace candle…

All: We pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes,
in our communities, in our nations, and in our worlds.

Scripture Readings – Juan Agustin Blasco Carbo
Mark 1:1-8

*Call to Worship – Amira and Joel
Amira: Please join us in the call to worship…
Amira: We come together, longing for God’s peace and justice to enter our world.
All: We come together longing for God’s love.
Joel: We come together knowing that God meets us in worship and in the wilderness of our lives.
All: We come together longing for God’s presence.
Amira: We come together proclaiming that we are not alone. God is here. And we are here with one another.
All: We come together trusting in God’s love, peace, peace, and justice. Amen.

Children’s Moment – Adam

Lighting of the Advent Candle – David, Ellery, Reed, and Willow
Reader 1: We invite you to join us lighting the Advent Candle of Peace. After we light the candle, we invite you to join us in the prayer found under the video.
Reader 1: O God, we light the second Candle of Advent. The Candle of Peace.
Reader 2: We seek your comfort, both strong and gentle, as you enter our lives. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by your peace.
Reader 3: John the Baptist announced God’s coming to a people exiled in a broken and parched wilderness. He declared God’s coming redemption. God will bring peace, not through force or violence, but through love. This Advent, we seek such a God. We invite you to join us in prayer:
Reader 4: Saving God, look upon your world and heal your land and your people. Teach us to be just and loving, just like you. Amen

*Passing of the Peace – Amira and Joel
Amira: Friends, although we are physically separated as we practice social distance, in reality we are all connected. And so we come to the point in our service where we pass the peace with one another. I invite you to open your palms up like this and imagine yourself connected to everyone watching this livestream as we pass the peace to one another.
Joel: Beloved of God, may the peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.

Song: Peace Carol – Rhonda, Dave, and Jeff

Invitation to the Offering Adam Ericksen

Prayers of the People – Adam
(After each prayer, Adam will say, “God in your love” and you are invited to respond with “hear our prayers.”)
Community Prayer and Lord’s Prayer - Joel
Our God, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed by thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Sermon – Advent: Advent is a Protest Movement

Communion – Amira, Joel, and Adam

*Unison Benediction – Amira Stanley
Amira: Please join me in the Unison Benediction…
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God look upon you with kindness and bring you peace.
This day and forever more. Amen
-Numbers 6:24-26