Advent Week 4: Sunday

Advent Wreath

As you read each paragraph light the candle for
each week.

The candle of hope we light in this hour
Proclaims that the Lord is coming in power.
We wait for a future, now hidden from view,
When Christ in his glory will make all things new.

The candle of love tells what we are worth:
God loves us so much, God came to the earth!
An angel brought news of a child who would be
The one who would save us and set us all free.

The candle of joy reminds us to sing,
For God is at work to do a new thing.
The proud will be humbled; the lowly will rise.
God's kingdom is one of delight and surprise.

The candle of peace shines bright with God's plan;
The wolf will lie down and dwell with the lamb.
Our guns and our weapons, our hatred and war,
Will give way to gardens that heal and restore.

Shepherds

The Bible mentions shepherds and shepherding over 200 times. However, the Hebrew word for shepherding is often translated, “feeding.” Shepherds led sheep to pasture and water (Psalm 23:1 ) and protected them from wild animals (1 Samuel 17:34-35 ). Shepherds guarded their flocks at night whether in the open (Luke 2:8 ) or in sheepfolds (Zephaniah 2:6 ) where they counted the sheep as they entered (Jeremiah 33:13 ). They took care of the sheep and even carried weak lambs in their arms (Isaiah 40:11 ).  (http://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/shepherd.html)

The Passing of the Peace

The Passing of the Peace is a time when all, including the pastor, exchange signs and words of peace and reconciliation with one another.  This  is  more formal  than the welcome /  greeting above.  It  maybe viewed as an act of seeking and granting forgiveness.  (https://www.umcsc.org/PDF/WorshipNutsandBolts2.pdf)

The people may offer one another signs of reconciliation and love, particularly when Holy Communion is celebrated. The Peace is an act of reconciliation and blessing, based on New Testament Christian practice (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14). Its placement immediately before the Offering recalls Matthew 5:23-24. It is not simply our peace but the peace of Christ that we offer. The gestures and words used may vary widely, depending on the temperament and customs of the people and the nature of the occasion. For example, one may clasp another's hand and say, "The peace of Christ be with you," and the other respond, "And also with you." The Peace is not to be confused with the ritual of friendship or welcoming of visitors. If the Confession and Pardon are placed earlier in the service, the Peace may still be observed at this time in the service. (http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/an-order-of-sunday-worship-using-the-basic-pattern)

During this time some churches have the tradition of saying “peace be with you.”  And then the congregation or individual person would say “and also with you.”

Watch this fun video for more information: https://chuckknowschurch.com/archive/69passing-peace