Welcome (2 Peter 3:8-15a)
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 the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 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. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.
Go tell it on the mountain
Call to Worship (Isaiah 40:1-11)
Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.
People in darkness
Prayer
God of grace,
you fill our hearts with joyful expectation.
On this second Sunday advent we come preparing the way.
By the Holy Spirit open us to prepare for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord
who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Gather us in one voice to praise and pray to you.
Receive this worship we offer in your Son’s name. Amen.
Scripture: Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Sermon: One who is to come
Each year as we read Isaiah 40 and Mark 1, our hearts are lifted up. In this world of troubles and horrors, we see relentless killings of both minds and bodies everywhere. Dying Palestinians, Ukrainians, Yemenis, Israelis, as well as many of our neighbours grows the power of death while despair fills us to no end. Into this world filled with death comes the voice from the wilderness, “Comfort, O comfort my people!” and “Prepare the way of the Lord!”
In the darkness, under the power of death, as thousands and thousands die for no other reason than being born into the part of this world where life is demeaned and devalued, the voice that creates, comforts, and gives life comes. Do you remember the very first voice that ever stirred on earth? In the complete darkness of the face of the earth came the first voice,
Let there be light!” This light broke through the darkness making life possible in the very world of darkness.
In the very same way, these words, “Comfort, O comfort my people” pierce through this world to people who are trying to dodge the deluge of bombs, to people who are losing hope everyday on streets without hope and to people who are made criminals for searching for a better life. How would they find comfort in such death-filled misery? What will open their eyes to be able to see and receive this good news? For suffering people were never short in numbers throughout human history. Generations after generations face darkness.
To all who are losing hope, who are facing death after death and who are breathing out their last breath, the voice in the wilderness comes, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight.” Is this another useless and meaningless theological dribble? Is this another deceptive speech that is designed to take away what little the wretched of the earth have left with? How could this command to prepare the way give anyone hope? In what human world such a statement makes sense?
Those of us who have left behind this world to follow Christ, those who took the call and let the dead bury the dead, this is not an idle or deceptive speech. It is the statement by which people are given the true light in the darkness, life in places of death and salvation in places of condemnation. It stops us from losing hope. It reminds us that our beings are not insignificant, but the very images of God. It proclaims to the world that tries to subjugate us that we belong to God through Christ Jesus.
When the voice shouts out, “Comfort, O comfort my people,” we hear that we are not forgotten and that we are objects of God’s mercy. It is the very light we have been seeking in this darkened world. Remember what Simeon who waited for the Messiah all his life said. When Jesus was brought to the Temple,
‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
and for glory to your people Israel.’
Those who encounter Jesus find peace. All sufferings are put aside. In death is life when the prince of peace comes. This is how God’s word through Isaiah comforts those who are dying or facing death.
With this prophecy, the word of comfort, comes the realization of hope in Mark’s Gospel. John the Baptist told those who came to him that the one who was more powerful than he was coming. Indeed, this one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit would be the fulfilment of the promise. He would come to bring everyone to himself so that all those who believe in him might have eternal life. This actualization of hope in every age is what makes us witness God’s creative activity in the world of destruction.
These words come in the very same way God creates in the very first chapter of Genesis. “Let there be light” is spoken to all those who are despairing, facing death and are dying unjustly as “Comfort, O comfort my people” and “Prepare the way of the Lord.” In these words we find our sights in the darkness of this world, we experience life where deaths overwhelm us and we commit our future as the future is lived here and now while the world experiences destruction.
At Advent and Christmas, Christians continually light candles to symbolize the Light of World who is Jesus Christ. We let this light shine so that all evil will be revealed, all crooked roads straightened, and mountains and valleys are levelled for the coming Lord. This Light turns sorrow to joy, mourning into rejoicing and despair into hope. For in Christ because of these words of comfort and fulfilment of the promise we find new life flourishing so that death is defeated and eternal life is everyone’s to enjoy.
Prayer
O God of love
How we thank you for your presence with us. You have been with us throughout ages. You guide and lead us so that we may witness you in this world. We love because you love us. We give hope because you fill us with hope. We share faithfully because you are steadfast in your presence with us.
We pray on this day for your life giving presence with all those who are in Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, Yemen, and many other places of war. So carelessly leaders demand soldiers to kill without any regard for life. So many ordinary citizens line up to justify the terrible killings ordered by their leaders. Death begets death. Anger begets anger. Only way to peace, we are told, is to obliterate all their enemies. In this horrid and evil world we come confessing that we do not do enough for peace. We, as your people, feel so powerless so we withdraw psychologically and physically instead of bringing love that gives life. Guide us with courage to bring your way of peace and justice to all those who are determined to end the world by destruction.
We bring before you all those who are in these wartorned places. They are losing hope. They powerlessly witness deaths upon deaths everyday. They have lost their voices. They no longer know how to cry. Their tears have dried up. Their suffering is the only witness against all the terrors they endure. Be with them. Guard and protect them. Lead them to a life of recovery from pain of deaths and losses.
We remember before you so many people in our neighbourhoods. There are many who are losing hope. They, too, are mired in never ending vicious cycles of addictions of all kinds. They slowly die away in corners hidden and not so hidden. Be with them. Know that they, too, carry your image. They are your children as much as anyone in this world. Give us compassion to be kind to them. Give us courage to share life with them.
We pray for all those who are seeking the future where they will flourish. So many of us are in search of a better life. In this new beginning we are full of hope, yet, we are also filled with fear and anxiety. With an uncertain future where so many things can go wrong, we live our present mired in worries. Away from our families, we miss loving them and be loved by them. Help us to be certain in faith so that we will not falter because you lead us each step of the way. Open our eyes to see that you are before us, behind us, alongside us, above us and below us, always recreating us in your image.
As your people, here in Drummond Hill, we pray that you will fill us with your Holy Spirit in ways that we will continue to discern your will and together as one walk in your Son’s way.
Be with all who are ill, are in hospitals or at home suffering as they search for relief from pain of mind and body. Do not forget your servants who are in need of recovery. Know that many of us have family members who are the very ones who are suffering. Our hearts are heavy and weak. We do our best, but we know that their future is in your hands. Give them recovery. Lead them to life where we can all share the joy of life together in you.
As we walk in this season of Advent and Chrstmas, may we continue to find your blessings that you have reserved for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Offering/Offering Prayer
Announcements
This afternoon at 2 pm, in the church hall, there will be an all African worship service. Everyone is invited. We are trying this new worship service so that our African brothers and sisters may find their spiritual home in Christ here at Drummond Hill.
Christmas Turkey Dinner will be on Saturday, December 16 at 5:30 pm. The cost is $25. Whether you want to enjoy the dinner in person or take out, please let Betty-Ann know. Based on the number of tickets we have sold so far, we certainly can use your help.
Next Sunday is our Christmas Carols Sunday. That means we will be singing Christmas carols to praise God.
After the service next Sunday, we will celebrate and give God thanks for all those who have birthdays in December. This birthday lunch will be followed by many nativity story clips and fun times as well as a sing along at 2:30 pm. Please come and enjoy the day.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, the morning worship service will be the traditional Christmas service. Mr. Cowan will be at the service to lead us in music.
In the evening of Christmas Eve, at 8 pm, we will have our Christmas Eve evening service. This year it will be very different from previous years. Mike and Joan will be helping us with music.
On December 25, Christmas Day, at 11 am, we are gathering for worship service followed by Christmas lunch. Everyone is invited.
Please remember that we are asking you to participate in the Mitten Tree project throughout the Advent and Christmas season this year. Please bring new winter gloves, mittens, toques, and socks to share.
Long ago prophets knew
Benediction