Prayer as We Gather: Thank you, Lord, for the stumps in our lives. Amidst our pre-Christmas fascination with the tall trees of material possessions, make us mindful of the neglected poor through whom you have always spoken a word of wisdom and justice. Bring our gaze back down to earth, so we may finally see you in the ruined stumps of broken lives from whose roots stubborn branches of hope and peace still sprout. Amen.*(Inspired by Isaiah 11)
Call to Worship:
God give your judgments to our rulers,
Judge your poor ones with righteousness and justice.
Let the righteous flourish throughout their lives,
And let peace prosper until the moon is no more.
Bless the Lord God, who does wondrous things!
Let God’s glory fill all the earth! (from Psalm 72, The Common English Bible)
Morning Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that Advent is no mere four week run-up to flying reindeer and a jolly old bearded man with obvious appetite issues. Rekindle within us the hard truth that peace, like war, must be waged. Baptizer John’s bluntness still offends our tender sensibilities, for surely we are not “children of snakes,” surely our failure to produce fruit won’t mean we are to be cut down, surely Jesus wouldn’t sift us like wheat to cull out the husks of empty churchmanship and toss them into Holy Spirit’s fire. Surely not. Surely he wasn’t serious when he taught us to pray “Our Father …” (Inspired by Matthew 3
Prayer of Confession: Forgive us, Lord, for misconstruing hope as some luscious sugar plum to be enjoyed without enduring the hardship and struggles required of disciples. We like apostle Paul’s notion of copping the same attitude Jesus had, we’re just summarily unprepared to pay the price such an attitude demands. Have mercy on our infatuation with servant ministry requiring no servant-hood. Amen.*(Inspired by Romans 15)
Assurance of Pardon: I have good news: An attitude similar to Jesus’ attitude is still attainable, if only you’re willing to follow Paul’s basic guidelines: Endure times of testing, allow scripture to encourage your daily sojourn, and welcome others in the same way Jesus welcomed folks of all temperaments, inclinations and skin tones (religious credentials not required). Thanks be to God for all the Advent opportunities UBC provides to become a servant to the voiceless poor and imprisoned, and for the overflowing hope, peace and joy springing forth from our stumpy mission to the least of these. (Inspired by Romans 15)
Thought for an Advent Sabbath: “True prophets have never lived in mansions or been the pastor of affluent churches (at least not for long).” - Mary Lin Hudson, United Church of Christ minister and professor of homiletics