Second Sunday of Advent
December 6, 2025
Responder: Pat
Presider: Juanita
Zoom link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87935930592?pwd=qZlKA506MIS9okXQQxBkaKsyhsZJDV.1
Patti: Greeting: On this Second Sunday of Advent, let us remind ourselves of the profound weight of peace, praying that peace does not become another justification for violence. As Martin Luther King Jr. famously remarked, “Peace is not merely the absence of some negative force—war, tensions, confusion—
but the presence of some positive force—justice, goodwill, the power of the kingdom of God.”
As we begin this second week of Advent, focused on peace, may we remember what the angel said,
“Be not afraid, Glory to God in the highest!”
Presider: Born to bring peace, the Spirit of Christ says, “Peace to this house.”
R: Born to bring peace, the Spirit of Christ says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
Presider: In this season of long nights and expectant hearts, how do we find this peace?
R: Peace happens when we treat each other, ourselves, and the world kindly. Peace emerges when the work of justice is done, when all are free to be who God made us to be.
Presider: Let us worship in a spirit of peace, proclaiming the coming of the Prince of Peace!
Opening Song:
A Voice Cries Out By Michael Joncas
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING:
Jay Cee: A long time ago, a baby was born in a town called “House of Bread.” His name was Jesus. Before his birth, his mother, Mary, sang of God’s goodness: “God has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; God has filled the hungry with good things.”
R: First, we light the candle of hope. Hope is believing things can get better with compassion and imagination.
Barbara: Today, we light the candle of peace. Peace is what happens when everyone treats each other, themselves, and the world kindly.
As we light this candle, we are reminded that, from the manger, peace is growing...growing to be God with us. His name is Jesus, Bread of Life.
Please light your two candles on your advent wreath.
Hope Waits for Us In Advent by Amanda Udis-Kessler
https://youtu.be/qp80wPEc20E?si=aNAlbiwZ_Kn1dOzJ
Prayer of Gratitude:
Nick: God of peace and presence, accompany us today as we continue our Advent journey.
May we be deeply empowered by the coming birth of Jesus—this promise of peace and sustenance for the world.
Karla: May the story of Jesus inspire us to work toward a world where all are fed and peace prevails.
Penny: In Christ, we see true peace intertwined with the fulfillment of hunger and the pursuit of justice.
Presider: We ground our minds and hearts in this moment so we might be transformed by your message.
Amen.
Presider: OPENING PRAYER:
God of starry skies, into your peaceful presence we bring our whole selves: anxieties, concerns, distractions, projects, dreams, and disorders.
We know that in this unjust and chaotic world, peace is difficult to find and maintain, but we hunger for peace today.
Reveal the ways we have blocked or prevented your peace within us and our communities.
Expand our capacity for peace as we remember the manger, where peace first began to grow.
Help us reimagine systems that would make space for more peace.
May the peace of Christ sustain us in worship today.
Amen.
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah 11:1-10 Marita
On that day, a shoot will sprout from the stump of Jesse; from Jesse's roots, a branch will blossom.
The Spirit of God will rest there: a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of counsel and strength,
a spirit of knowledge and reverence for God; this blossom's delight will be the reverence of God.
Not by appearance will this one judge, nor by hearsay will a decision be made;
but the poor will be judged with justice, and the land's afflicted will be given their rights.
The ruthless will be struck down by a mere word, and the wicked by the breath of this one's mouth.
Justice will be the band around this one's waist, faithfulness the belt upon the hips. Then the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the kid; the calf and young lion will graze together, with a little child to guide them. The cow and the bear will be neighbors, their young will lie down together; the lion will eat hay like the ox.
The baby will play next to the den of the cobra, and the young child will dance over the viper's nest.
There will be no harm or destruction on all my holy mountain; for as waters fill the sea,
so will the land be filled with knowledge of Our God.
On that day, the root of Jesse
shall be set up as a signal to the peoples;
Other nations will rally to it, and its resting-place will be glorious.
The Word of God R: Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm 72: R: Justice will flower in their days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
Gerry: Bring justice to the peoples, O Divine One, and mercy to all generations! May the people be known for mercy, rendering justice to the poor. R:
Gerry: May you heed the cry of the poor---the young and old, setting free all those in need, melting the hearts of the oppressors. R: (Nan Merrill Psalms for Praying)
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. 15: 4-9 Kathy N.
Everything written before our time was written for our instruction, that we might derive hope from the lessons of patience and the words of encouragement in the scriptures. May God, the source of all strength and encouragement, enable you to live in perfect harmony with one another according to the Spirit of Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and one voice, you may praise the God of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Accept one another as Christ accepted us, for the glory of God. Christ became a servant of the chosen people to live out the truth of God's promise to them, and at the same time to give the other nations cause to glorify God for showing mercy. As scripture has it, "Therefore I will praise You among the nations and I will sing to Your Name."
The Word of God. R: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation: Mass of Advent - Alleluia by Dave & Lauren Moore
https://youtu.be/lZnbrTRI38U?si=fFEiNFfJat7ZOwym
A Reading according to the Gospel of Matthew 3:1-12 Margaret
When John the Baptist made an appearance as a preacher in the desert of Judea, this was the message, "Reform your lives! The reign of Heaven is at hand." It was of this herald that the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
"A herald's voice cries in the desert:
Prepare the way of Our God, make straight all paths," John was clothed in a garment of camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist.
Grasshoppers and wild honey were his food. At that time, Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going to him. They were being baptized by John in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.
When he saw that many of the Pharisees and Sadducees were stepping forward for this bath, John said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who told you to flee from the wrath to come? Give some evidence that you mean to reform. Do not pride yourselves on the claim, 'Sarah and Abraham are our parents.' I tell you, God can raise children to Sarah and Abraham from these very stones. Even now the ax is laid to the root of the tree. Every tree that is not fruitful will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I will baptize you in water for the sake of reform, but the one who will follow me is more powerful than I. I am not even fit to carry the sandals of the one to follow me. That One will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. The winnowing-fan will clear the threshing floor, and the grain will be gathered into the barn, but the chaff will be burnt in unquenchable fire."
The Good News of Salvation!
R: Glory and praise to our Savior Jesus Christ!
Homily: Juanita
Advent Credo by Rev. Allan Boesak of South Africa John and Rita alternate
It is not true that creation and the human family are doomed to destruction and loss — This is true: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction — This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly.
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction rule forever — This is true: Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, his name shall be called wonderful councilor, mighty God, the Everlasting, the Prince of peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world — This is true: To me is given authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even until the end of the world.
It is not true that our hopes for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history — This is true: The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshipers shall worship God in spirit and in truth.
So let us enter Advent in hope, even hope against hope. Let us see visions of love and peace and justice Let us affirm with humility, with joy, with faith, with courage: Jesus Christ — the life of the world.
Prayers of the Community:
Kathy N: We bring to the table those who hunger:
For those who hunger for food, struggling to afford, store, and prepare food—we ask that you provide them with nourishment and that we, as your people, act with compassion and generosity to meet their needs.
For whom else shall we pray?
Karen: We bring these and all deeply held blessings, cares, and concerns to the table of friendship and peace.
Sign of Peace:
Chrys: Peace be with you! We more than often say this, but we all know that peace is easier said than done. On this Second Sunday of Advent, we are invited to reflect on peace, which feels even more elusive given the ongoing violence, war, and turmoil in our world.
Christ himself is our peace, destroying barriers and walls of hostility, unifying us as one body, and inviting everyone to the table of peace.
May the peace of Christ nourish us as we extend words of peace to our family, friends, and neighbors.
Please extend peace to everyone in this room.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST:
Penny: With open hearts and hands let us pray our Eucharistic prayer as one voice:
(written by Jay Murnane)
Nick: Source of All That Is, we seek you in this season, when the earth is resting and preparing for new life. Like the earth, we long for new life and hopeful beginnings. This is the time of the pregnant woman, filled with life and hope powerful enough to topple structures of oppression. This is the time of her song of fidelity and celebration.
Karla: During this gentle season of Advent, we recognize that you have made us capable of bringing forth justice, like a rising sun. One with all who have gone before us, we sing a song of praise: Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy Music by John Bacchus Dykes, Words by Peter Mayer video by Denise
https://youtu.be/A4kiEGVb3E8
Linda: We thank you God, for those in times past who believed the good news, and lived what they believed.
Gina: Blessed is Isaiah and every visionary who insisted on a better future that would break through the deception, disaster and broken promises of the age in which they lived.
Galen: Blessed is John, in the stark desert of careful focus, inviting the people to be born again in your love.
Linda: Blessed is Miriam, who believed the words of Isaiah and opened herself up to the unbelievable.
Janet: And blessed is her child Jesus, who felt the sorrows of humankind in his soul, and responded with deep and tender compassion.
Rita: Holy and merciful God, we approach this table with a spirit of peace, trusting that the troubles of our minds and bodies will find compassion under your loving gaze.
The gifts of communion are sufficient to remind us of your presence with us and the peace that dwells within us. While the world can be a violent and hostile place, at this communion table, we are safe at home. Amen.
Please extend your hands in blessing over your bread and wine.
Presider: We are grateful for your Spirit at our Eucharistic Table and for this bread and wine which reminds us of our call to be the body + of Christ in the world. We call upon the Holy Spirit to come upon these gifts of bread and wine that they may become the Body and Blood of Christ.
On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet.
All lift their plates and pray the following:
When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:
ALL: Take and eat, this is my Body given up for you..
(pause)
All lift their cups and pray the following:
Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
ALL: Take and drink. Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.
(pause)
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith…
Presider: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Cathy P:
Let us pray:
God our Loving Parent,
may this timeless meal of bread and wine fill our hearts with peace, that we might partner with you to restore all things to justice and glory.
Barbara:
Holy Spirit, as you inspired Jesus to speak peace to every home he encountered, we pray you would transform us into agents of your peace, bringing peace wherever we go.
John: Jesus, our Friend and Brother,
just as you shunned violence in favor of revolutionary peace, remind us to be peacemakers, too—imitating your path of nonviolent resistance.
Amen.
Marita: Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace.
Advent Candle Song
https://youtu.be/Tgk6p27mRbU?si=UxHRrPDNoMCd_1dM
Prayer after Communion:
Presider: Holy One, we are grateful for the gift of Your Spirit, always drawing beauty and balance out of chaos. And like Jesus…
Standing where he stood, and for what he stood, and with whom he stood, we are united in your Spirit,
and worship you with our lives, Amen
Gina: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Holy One, you are within, around and among us.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come; your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
the empowerment around us,
and the celebration among us,
now and forever, Amen.
Adapted by Miriam Therese Winter
BLESSING
Presider: Please extend your hands and pray our blessing together.
May Christ, the Bread of Life,
whose mission was love and whose compassion knew no bounds, guide you on the journey.
May the love of our Creator,
who calls us to care for the hungry and oppressed, surround you.
And may the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
who empowers us to imagine a kin-dom where all needs are met, strengthen you, now and always.
Go in hope, peace, joy, and love to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, and share the good news of Christ’s coming.
Dismissal: Margaret
"Let There Be Peace on Earth,"
https://youtu.be/_AMvzan3EKM?si=skcPnlEL1PDhOYmA
Resources: Illustrated Ministry – From the Manger, 2025
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