1. Second Sunday in Advent
December 9th, 2007
The Christmas Fund’s health supplementation brings peace of mind and spirit to many retired pastors, musicians, sextons and administrators.

2. The gospel of Matthew tells us –
Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
Reader 1:
The gospel of Matthew tells us-
Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.”

3. We remember them again in this flame.
Last week we lit the Candle of Hope and remembered that our hope to have God with us has been supported by hopeful people all around us.
We remember them again in this flame.
Lighter:
Last week we lit the Candle of Hope and remembered that our hope to have God with us has been supported by hopeful people all around us. We remember them again in this flame.

4. The Candle of Hope Lighter: (Light the first candle)
The Christmas Fund offers hope to active and retired clergy and active and retired lay employees because they can receive emergency assistance in time of need.
Lighter: (Light the first candle)

5. God is with us. This is the Candle of Peace.
Certainly God is with us in all our efforts to make peace. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a peaceful realm of cooperation of all species-wolf and kid, serpent and toddler At the birth of Emmanuel the angels sang of Glory to God and Peace on Earth.
Reader 2:
God is with us.
This is the Candle of Peace.
Certainly God is with us in all our efforts to make peace. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a peaceful realm of cooperation of all species-wolf and kid, serpent and toddler.
At the birth of Emmanuel the angels sang of Glory to God and Peace on Earth.

6. The Candle of Peace Lighter: (Light the second candle)
The Christmas Fund’s health supplementation brings peace of mind and spirit to many retired pastors, musicians, sextons and administrators.
Lighter: (Light the second candle)

7. God’s peace is needed in families, communities and churches
God’s peace is needed in families, communities and churches. Conflict between nations can be soothed by the child called Prince of Peace. We participate in the ministry of reconciliation in many ways through our church.
(silence. In some churches people may feel free to softly name people they know who need peace or those who are involved in military service. Some may wish to name local or national issues of conflict.)
Reader 1:
God’s peace is needed in families, communities and churches. Conflict between nations can be soothed by the child called Prince of Peace. We participate in the ministry of reconciliation in many ways through our church.
(silence. In some churches people may feel free to softly name people they know who need peace or those who are involved in military service. Some may wish to name local or national issues of conflict.)

8. (Let us pray)
Emmanuel, God with us, sometimes in Advent we find ourselves falling to pieces rather than peaceful because of the hurry and stress. Turn our holiday-making into peace-making that – beginning with our own tranquil spirits – we may influence family, school, church, community and your precious world. Amen.
Reader 2:
Let us pray
Emmanuel, God with us, sometimes in Advent we find ourselves falling to pieces rather than peaceful because of the hurry and stress. Turn our holiday-making into peace-making that – beginning with our own tranquil spirits – we may influence family, school, church, community and your precious world. Amen.