Advent Means Peace

1. Prayer For The People of God
God of hope and peace,
you call us from the exile of our sin
with the good news of restoration;
you build a highway through the wilderness;
you come to us and bring us home.
Comfort us with the expectation
of your saving power, made known to us
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

2. 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.”
Isaiah 40:1-3

3. 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.
Isaiah 40:4-6

4. 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!"
Isaiah 40:7-9

5. 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.
Isaiah 40:10-11

6. The Church Calendar
December 6

8. (1) presence of justice,
restored relationship;
Peace

9. - Working with Family Promise
- Working with Habitat For Humanity
- Providing food/medical care
for elders in Uganda
- Providing care for Ethiopian orphans
- Working with Justice Matters to address
homelessness, racial inequity
in our public schools, and restorative
practices in our criminal justice system
Peace as Presence of Justice

10. (1) presence of justice,
restored relationship;
(2) a state or period in
which there is no war;
when a war has ended;
Peace

11. In the entire history of our nation
there has been a grand total of
15 years when we have not been
at war with someone…
In my life of 46 years there have
only been six years when we were
not at war or military conflict
somewhere in the world. 15 years
out of the 244 we have existed
have been peaceful. Only 15 years without
conflict.

12. (1) presence of justice,
restored relationship;
(2) a state or period in
which there is no war;
when a war has ended;
(3) freedom from disturbance;
a sense of inner tranquility,
regardless of circumstance
Peace

13. Things we do to actively engage our entire
selves in the spiritual growth
process; putting ourselves in the position
to experience God’s presence in ways that
those who have gone before us attest to
being effective…
Soul Training Exercises

14. Do not worry about anything, but in
everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. And the peace
of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds
in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:5-7

16. - Experiment to find your preferred pathway…
• Relational I connect best to God when I am with others
• Intellectual I connect best to God when I am learning
• Worship I connect best to God when I am worshipping
• Activist …when I am advocating for others
• Contemplative …when I am in silence/prayer
• Serving …when I am serving others
• Creation when I am out in/viewing nature
Spiritual (UP)

17. - See a counselor/therapist to help
process the past and the present
- Learn how to practice mindfulness
to stay in the present moment,
not dwelling in the past or
anticipating the future
- Experiment with setting the mood
of your environment, focus on
reducing the stimulus...
Emotional (IN)

19. - Try to get enough sleep
- Try to eat less/better and move more
- Consider medication under the wise,
trained guidance of a professional
- Get outside and absorb natural light
- Go for a walk, then go for a longer
one the next day
- Tangibly serve someone else
Physical (OUT)

21. Benediction
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart ,
the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom
those who take counsel for the nations of the earth,
and we who are share this earth as global citizens,
that in tranquility your dominion may increase until
the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you, in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.