Sunday, December 6, 2020 - Creating Identity: Who are you?

Theme: Envisioning New Realities - Creating Identity: Who are you?

Lighting of the Advent Candles (Peace)

As we continue to envision new realities in this Advent season we turn our focus today to Peace. Peace is more than being quiet or finding a period of rest. “Having peace means having a homeland in the unrest of the world; it means having solid ground under one’s feet. Though the waves may now rage and break, they can no longer rob me of my peace.”  - (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) Today we relight the candle of hope, which symbolizes how God has not quit bringing new possibilities in the world. (The candle of hope is relit) Now we light the candle of peace, that challenges us to ground ourselves in God as the world is restless around us. (The candle of peace is lit.)

Prayer

Deuteronomy 29:2-6                                                    Common English Bible Translation

Moses summoned all Israel, saying to them: You’ve seen with your own eyes everything the Lord did in Egypt, to Pharaoh his servants, and all his land – the great trials your eyes witnessed, these awesome signs and wonders! But until this very moment, the Lord hasn’t given you insight to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear. I’ve led you in the wilderness forty years now; neither the clothes on your back nor the sandals on your feet have worn out. Neither have you eaten bread nor drunk wine or beer during this time-so that you would know that I am the Lord your God. (Question: Does your experience of God change who you are?)

Deuteronomy 29:9-12

So then keep the words of this covenant and do them so you can succeed in all you do. Right now, all of you are in the presence of the Lord your God – the leaders of your tribes, your elders, and your officials, all the Israelite males, your children, your wives, and the immigrants who live with you in your camp, the ones who chops your wood and those who draw your water – ready to enter into the Lord your God’s covenant and into the agreement that the Lord your God is making with you right now. (Question: How do you think the presence of God changes you?)

Deuteronomy 29:13-15

That means the Lord will make you his own people right now – he will be your God just as he promised you and just as he swore to our ancestors: to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But I’m not making this covenant and this agreement with you alone but also with those standing here with us right now before the Lord our God, and also with those who aren’t here with us right now. (Question: What is at the foundation of your identity?)

Exodus 23:10-13

For six years you should plant crops on your land and gather in its produce. But in the seventh year you should leave it alone and undisturbed so that the poor among your people may eat. What they leave behind, the wild animals may eat. You should do the same with your vineyard and your olive tree. Do your work in six days. But on the seventh day you should rest so that your ox and donkey may rest, and even the child of your female slave and the immigrant may be refreshed. Be careful to obey everything that I have said to you. Don’t call on the names of the other gods. Don’t even mention them. (Question: How do you make room for rest in your life?)

2 Peter 3:9, 11b-12a, 14-15a

The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives. What sort of people ought you to be? You must live holy and godly lives, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God. Therefore, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found by him in peace – pure and faultless. Consider the patience of our Lord to be salvation. (Question: How does understanding who you are impact how you live?)

Prayers of the People and the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Blessing

Song List (to listen to from wherever you get your music)

O Lord, How Shall I Meet You – 104 GTG

Comfort, Comfort Now My People – 87 GTG

Now the Heavens Start to Whisper – 94 GTG

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing – 119 GTG (verse 3)

You and Your Heart – Jack Johnson

Build My Life – Pat Barrett

Learning to Fly – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Quotes by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Prince of Peace – where God comes in love to human beings and unites with them, there peace is made between God and humankind and among people.”

“Having peace means knowing oneself, borne knowing oneself loved, knowing oneself protected; it means being able to be still, quite still. Having peace with people means being able to build unshakably on their faithfulness; it means knowing oneself at one with them, knowing oneself forgiven by them. Having peace means having a homeland in the unrest of the world; it means having solid ground under one’s feet. Though the waves may now rage and break, they can no longer rob me of my peace.”