Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. —Romans 15:7
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Growing up in a small town has many advantages. One perk for me as a child was that I could easily walk to visit my grandparents who lived across the street. Several times a day I would go to their house just to be with them. Their house was always a warm, welcoming place. I never had to call first; just a simple knock on the door and a call out of “Grandmother, I’m here, and I’m coming in,” was sufficient; no formal “May I come in?” was needed. I was always greeted with a warm hug, a kiss and a smile and was made to feel that I was special and loved.
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I believe St. John’s emanates that same welcoming feeling to those who come to our house of worship and knock on its doors. One only has to say, “Lord, I’m here, and I’m coming in;” no formal salutation is needed to gain entrance into the arms of our church and to be made to feel special and loved.
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As we approach this season of Advent and go about our busy schedules in the secular world, we need to remember to extend this feeling of welcoming; not only to our family and friends but also to the stranger in the mall, the impolite clerk at the grocery store and the rude driver on the road.
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Help us, O Lord, to continue to be a welcoming church to all who knock on our doors. Help me to be a welcoming disciple all year, and especially during this season when extra responsibilities and stress seem to make our lives more hectic. For the glory of God, AMEN.
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Claudia Fowler
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Home Worship & Advent Wreath Reading*
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Welcome Neighbor
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Read: Isaiah 11:1-10
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Light: We offer the following reading as you light the first and second candles on your Advent wreath. If you do not have an Advent wreath, we invite you to light a candle, reminding you of the coming Christ Child, the Prince of Peace.
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This is the second Sunday in Advent, and today we light the candles of Hope and Peace. During Advent, we pray that we, as well as all people, will seek God’s peace.
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(Light the first and second candles)
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When we look at the second candle, we remember God’s promise of peace. We recall the words of Jesus in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” With such hatred and vitriol in the world today, it’s hard to remember that Jesus is the one who brings peace. As we approach Christmas, let’s remember that God’s intention is a place of peace, where we love our neighbor and offer them a place of peace and welcome.
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Reflect: Isaiah paints stirring images of God’s peaceable kingdom: “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together and a little child shall lead them” (Isaiah 11:6). How would you re-write these words for today? Who among your neighbors is most in need of God’s peace? How can you help them find peace in their lives?
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Pray: Dear God, Thank you for those in our world today who world for peace. Help us look for ways to be peacemakers with our neighbors. May your peace permeate our lives. Amen.
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Respond: Think of a situation where you desire peace, either in your life or in the world. Prayerfully ask God to guide you in doing something this week to strive for peace. It could be reaching out to someone from whom you have become separated or it might be writing a letter to your legislator about an injustice. As you become a peacemaker, you will find peace.
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* Adapted from UMC Discipleship Ministries 2017 Advent Home Worship