Advent Week 2

Light the two candles on your wreath and read together the following meditation:

First Reader: This is the second Sunday in Advent. Today we light two purple candles. Last Sunday, we lit the candle of hope. This Sunday, we light the candle of love. One verse that many memorize and remember on this day is John 3:16, “God so loved the world...”  Some people may not know the love of other people. That makes it harder for them to understand God’s love. During Advent, we pray that we may remember again God’s gift of Jesus to the world and know that God’s love for all people is the reason for this gift.  (Light the first and second candles.)

All:  Sing or read together the hymn, “Love Came Down at Christmas,” page 242, The United Methodist Hymnal.

Second Reader:  When we look at the second candle, we remember God’s love. When we read the words of John 3:16, we know of God’s greatness and care.  We remember God’s love at Advent when we remember that God sent Jesus to us to help us know that God is loving and just.

First Reader:  Read Philippians 1:3-11.

Discussion:  The words in Philippians contain a beautiful prayer by Paul for the people in Philippi. He begins with thanksgiving and then includes these words: “And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow…..”

We believe that God is a God of love, and we are a people called to love God and to love others because of God’s love for us. On this Sunday, when we remember God’s love for us, how do we then show God’s love to other people in our lives? How do we show God’s love for the world in which we live? Talk with one another about ways we can behave that help those in our family know God’s love. Think together about ways to show God’s love in our schools and our places of work.

Prayer:  Dear God:  Thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for the words found in our Bible that help us remember your love and care.  Help us see how we can bring God’s message to the people we meet in our schools, at our jobs, and in our neighborhoods.  Help us be messengers of God’s love for everyone. AMEN.

http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/2015-advent-home-worship