Peace Surpassing Understanding

The Advent and Christmas gospel comes, wondrously, with two strands of promise: one with a scope as vast as the cosmos; one that is as intimate as our own interior lives, so often hidden from everyone but God. Both strands of promise are captured in a simple word with breathtaking scope: “Peace.”

The gospel of peace comes with healing both for neighborhoods that are racked with violence, and for hearts that are filled with turmoil.

The gift of peace turns swords into farming instruments, and inner turmoil into tranquility. In response to God's promises, in solidarity with God's people in ancient Israel, we declare with hope and trust:

The Prince of Peace shall surely come to heal the cosmos and to quiet our hearts.

In this service, through the movement of scripture and prayer, melodies and rhythms, images and metaphors, may God's Spirit open our hearts to the breadth and power of the peace that surpasses understanding.

Following this service, consider returning to these texts, savoring the joy and hope of the Advent and Christmas gospel.

Prelude

"La Nativité" (from Poèmes Évangéliques), Jean Langlais
"Organ Hymn," Raymond Haan

Processional Hymn

"Ososo/Come Now, O Prince of Peace," Geonyong Lee

Greeting

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
All: Who made the heavens and the earth.
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: Amen.

Bidding Prayer

Leader: Beloved in Christ, as we await the great festival of Christmas, we prepare ourselves so that we may be shown its true meaning. We have gathered to hear, in readings from the holy scriptures, how the prophets of Israel foretold that God would visit and redeem his waiting people. We rehearse again the account of the loving purposes of God from the first days of our disobedience to the glorious appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. We rejoice, in carols and hymns, that the good purpose of God is being mightily fulfilled. The Psalmist declares: “Surely, salvation is near those who fear God: Love and faithfulness meet together; right- eousness and peace kiss each other.”

But first, we pray for the world which God so loves, for those who have not heard the good news of God, or who do not believe it; for those who walk in darkness and the shadow of death; and for the Church in this place and everywhere, that it may be freed from all evil and fear, and may in pure joy lift up the light of the love of God.

These prayers we humbly offer as we meditate on the readings from holy scripture, and also now, in the words that our Lord Jesus Christ taught us.

All: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen!

I. A Song in the Night

Scripture: Genesis 3:14-19; Job 3:20-26, 19:25-27

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"How Can I Keep from Singing," Bradley Ellingboe

"There Shall a Star Come Out of Jacob," Felix Mendelssohn

II. Prince of Peace

Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"Dona Nobis Pacem," Z. Randall Stroope

"O Day of Peace that Dimly Shines," Carl P. Daw Jr.

III. The Gospel of Peace as the Vocation of God's Servants

Scripture: Isaiah 52:7-10; James 3:13-18

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"Prayer of St. Francis," David N. Childs

IV. The Shepherd of Peace from the Town of David

Scripture: Micah 5:1-5a

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"Wonderful Peace" (Jul, Jul), Gustav Nordqvist

"Song of Zechariah/O Little Town of Bethlehem"

V. The Angels Sing of Glory and Peace

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"Gloria," Ola Gjeilo

"Gloria in Excelsis" from Missa Brevis, Paul Basler

"Angels We Have Heard on High"

Psalter Hymnal 347

VI. Simeon and Anna Greet the Hope of Israel

Scripture: Luke 2:21-38

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"Song of Simeon," Alexander Tikhonovitch Grechaninov

"Chapel Royal Nunc Dimittis," Paul Ayers

VII. The Gift of Peace Through the Word and the Spirit

Scripture: John 1:1-4, 14; John 14:25-27

Leader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

"Emmanuel," Dennis Friesen-Carper

Charge

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:8-9, 13-15a, 18)

Closing Prayer

Choir: Come, Hope of unity, make us one body. Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all nations.

Pastor: Eternal God, you taught us that the night is far spent and the day is at hand.
Keep us awake and alert, watching for your kingdom, and make us strong in faith,
so that when Christ comes in glory to judge the earth, we may joyfully give him praise
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Worship Sourcebook

Benediction

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

Recessional Hymn: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"

Psalter Hymnal 345

Postlude: "Finale" (from Sixth Symphony Opus 42, No. 6), Charles Marie Widor

 Service cover art by David Castle