Advent 2A – December 4

December 4, 2022
2nd Sunday of Advent / Peace
Stand As a Signal

CALL TO WORSHIP
One: A shoot soon comes from Jesse’s stump,
And a branch shall spring from roots.
All: Rejoice! Rejoice! All God’s children.
Let all the people give God praise.
One: A leader soon comes who will lift the poor
With righteousness around his waist.
All: Rejoice! Rejoice! All God’s children.
Let all the people give God praise.
One: A child soon comes from an innocent place
With wisdom and might he’ll lead the way.
All: Rejoice! Rejoice! All God’s children.
Let all the people give God praise. (Inspired by Isaiah 11:1-10 and Romans 15:4-13)

INVOCATION
God of the waiting wanderers in the wilderness,
We enter this moment of worship expecting that when we leave this hour of prayer,
We will be full of the courage needed to stand as a signal.
We come to the mountain to feel closer to your presence, O God.
May the mountains yield prosperity for your people.
May righteousness flourish and peace abound.
You, alone, are the God who does wondrous things.
May your glory fill this place as we worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen.

-Inspired by Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION AND NEW LIFE
Leader:
We gather together in this season of Advent
anticipating hope, praying for peace, attempting to cultivate joy and share love.

Moment of silence

All:
God, we admit that we do not always stand as a signal for your righteousness.
In the hustle and bustle of our lives, we have left little room to witness—
to be your hands and feet in a world that needs us now more than ever.
In the warm belly of comfort, many of us have relaxed in the layers of our privilege,
Not attending to the needs of the least of these.
Forgive us, O God.
Give us the courage to stand tall,
to follow in the footsteps of the one who came to secure justice for the poor,
bring equity to the meek, and condemn the wicked with his lips.
And on that day, we shall stand as a signal to the people.

WORDS OF GRACE
Leader:
Beloved, know that God’s grace and mercy abound, and in God and Christ, we are forgiven.
Let us live into this gift.
Amen.

INVITATION TO GENEROSITY
Leader: We believe in the God of justice and righteousness, and God believes in us to carry forth the mission of loving and caring for community. Let us now share our gifts and resources so that we may continue to walk humbly with God and with neighbors.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION AND THANKSGIVING
We dedicate these gifts that have been shared for the fortification of the beloved community. Let these gifts do justice in the world. Let them be a signal to the people that there is a God who saves, heals, and sets free. Amen.

BENEDICTION
Let us go forth knowing that we are led by God,
that we are held by God, that we are loved by God.
Let us know that God empowers us as God holds and leads and loves us;
And knowing all that, Let us stand as a signal
That the glory of God dwells with us now and forever more.
Amen

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS FOR WORSHIP SERVICE:
Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old The New Century Hymnal #108
Let it Rise William Murphy III
God Is Truly With Us The New Century Hymnal #68

Rev. Mia M. McClain is the Senior Pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Washington D.C. She is an ordained UCC minister.