Fourth Sunday in Advent

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.”

Candle of Hope We light again the Candle of Hope and remember those who bring us the good news of Christ’s Advent. Lighter: We light again the Candle of Hope and remember those who bring us the good news of Christ’s Advent. (Light the First Candle) 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.

Candle of Peace We light again the Candle of Peace and claim the Peace on Earth which once was sung by angels. Lighter: We light again the Candle of Peace and claim the Peace on Earth which once was sung by angels. (Light the Second Candle) The Christmas Fund’s health supplements bring peace of mind to many retired pastors.

Candle of Joy We light the Candle of Joy and celebrate that our church is a place of festivity, tenderness and justice. Both active and retired clergy receive emergency assistance in time of need from the Christmas Fund. Lighter: We light the Candle of Joy and celebrate that our church is a place of festivity, tenderness and justice. (Light the third candle)

Candle of Love We light the Candle of Love because God has become a human baby under the star shining of this night . . . in the holy Bethlehem of this morning. The Christmas Fund sends Christmas gift checks to retired clergy, among them this year more than ______ who are one hundred years old or older Lighter: We light the Candle of Love because God has become a human baby under the star shining of this night . . . in the holy Bethlehem of this morning. (Light the Fourth Candle)

Christ Candle Tonight we light the Christ Candle – for we are the messengers and we will now go and tell this story on the mountains and by the seacoast, on the highways and by the rivers, in the cities and the large and small towns – that Jesus Christ is born. Reader 2: Tonight we light the Christ Candle for we are the messengers and we will now go and tell this story on the mountains and by the seacoast, on the highways and by the rivers, in the cities and the large and small towns – that Jesus Christ is born. Lighter: (Light the Fifth Candle)

Emmanuel, we give thanks for clergy who preach good news, make peace in our lives, homes, communities, speak salvation words -- grace in troubled times or challenge in complacent ones, and who name the abiding presence of God -- in the manger, the cross, the dawn of life, and the flames of Pentecost. Bless these gifts that they may, indeed, bring hope, peace, joy, and all our love to these messengers of yours. Amen. Reader 1: Emmanuel, we give thanks for clergy who preach good news, make peace in our lives, homes, communities, speak salvation words -- grace in troubled times or challenge in complacent ones, and who name the abiding presence of God – in the manger, the cross, the dawn of life, and the flames of Pentecost. Bless these gifts that they may, indeed, bring hope, peace, joy, and all our love to these messengers of yours. Amen.