Second Sunday in Advent The Christmas Fund’s health supplements bring peace of mind to many retired pastors.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger -- who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Reader 1: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger -- who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Last week we lit the Candle of Hope and remembered the messengers who bring us the good news of Christ’s Advent which is our hope. We remember them again in this flame. Lighter: Last week we lit the Candle of Hope and remembered the messengers who bring us the good news of Christ’s Advent which is our hope. We remember them again in this flame.

The Candle of Hope The Christmas Fund offers hope to those who have brought the good news of Christ’s birth to many churches in the United Church of Christ by pension supplements. Lighter: (Light the 1st Candle)

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace. This is the Candle of Peace. The feet of the messengers of peace are blistered and sore from long running, for there are conflicts in family, community, church, and turmoil within nations and between nations. Yet every time a word of peace is spoken, battles hush; every time a candle of peace shines, clouds part. Let us pause, lighting this second candle, and name in our hearts the places where peace is needed. Reader 2: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace. This is the Candle of Peace. The feet of the messengers of peace are blistered and sore from long running, for there are conflicts in family, community, church, and turmoil within nations and between nations. Yet every time a word of peace is spoken, battles hush; every time a candle of peace shines, clouds part. Let us pause, lighting this second candle, and name in our hearts the places where peace is needed.

The Candle of Peace The Christmas Fund’s health supplements bring peace of mind to many retired pastors. Lighter: (Light the 2nd Candle) (Silence. In some churches people may softly name personal concerns, local conflicts, places of global strife, particular names of those who have died in war or are currently in military or humanitarian service)

Jesus was born to be Prince of Peace Jesus was born to be Prince of Peace. He told the wind and waves, “Peace be still.” On the evening of his arrest he promised, “Peace I leave with you.” In hearing these stories and living out their challenge in the reconciliation ministries and peace activism of our local churches, we join messengers who have come before us on the path to Bethlehem. Reader 1: Jesus was born to be Prince of Peace. He told the wind and waves, “Peace be still.” On the evening of his arrest he promised, “Peace I leave with you.” In hearing these stories and living out their challenge in the reconciliation ministries and peace activism of our local churches, we join messengers who have come before us on the path to Bethlehem.

(let us pray) Emmanuel, God coming and with us, Advent often finds us falling to pieces rather than becoming peaceful. Bless us to be peacemakers and peace-messengers by bringing a Christ-stilled spirit to family, school, church, community, nation, and even the missing peaces of the world. Amen. Reader 2: (let us pray) Emmanuel, God coming and with us, Advent often finds us falling to pieces rather than becoming peaceful. Bless us to be peacemakers and peace-messengers by bringing a Christ-stilled spirit to family, school, church, community, nation, and even the missing peaces of the world. Amen.