Welcome to our online worship for Sunday, December 6, 2020
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The Gift of Peace ​​
 Second Sunday of Advent ​
Prelude
Brian Turner
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
arr. Bekasova
Higgins Chrismon Tree
Prayer  
O God, whose will is justice for the poor and peace for the afflicted, let your herald’s urgent voice pierce our hardened hearts and announce the dawn of your kingdom. Before the advent of the One who baptizes with the fire of the Holy Spirit, let our complacency give way to conversion, oppression to justice, and conflict and acceptance of one another in Christ. We ask this through the One whose coming is certain, whose day draws near; your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen​ ​
​Scripture
Matthew 1:18-25 NIV
Joseph Accepts Jesus as His Son

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
The Gift of Peace 
Joseph is facing a very difficult situation. His fiancé Mary had just told him a story that he has a hard time believing that it is true. She says that an angel appeared to tell her she would become the mother of the long-promised Messiah. She also says that she is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph believes that Mary has been unfaithful and decides to divorce her quietly. Yet an angel appears to Joseph in a dream and says to him “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1: 20. Joseph awoke from the dream and did as the Lord commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. He made the journey with her to Bethlehem where the child was born. The Gift of God’s Peace comes to us amid difficult times assuring us of the Lord’s presence and power to face problems with courage and faith this Christmas.

Message 
Pastor John Fowler
The Gift of Peace 

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Offertory
Andrea Bailey and Brian Turner
Be Born In Me
By: Bernie Herms and Nichole Nordeman

Everything inside me cries for order.
Everything inside me wants to hide.
Is this shadow, an angel or a warrior?
If God is pleased with me, why am I so terrified? Someone tell me I am only dreaming. Somehow help me see with Heaven's eyes. And before my head agrees, my heart is on it's knees. Holy is He, blessed am I.

Chorus:
Be born in me, be born in me.
Trembling heart, somehow I believe
that You chose me.
I'll hold you in the beginning;
You will hold me in the end;
Every moment in the middle;
Make my heart your Bethlehem
Be born in me.

All this time we've waited for the promise.
All this time You've waited for my arms.
Did You wrap yourself inside the unexpected,
So we might know that love would go that far?

Chorus

I am not brave. I'll never be.
The only thing my heart can offer is a vacancy
I'm just a girl
Nothing more
I am willing, I am Yours.

​Chorus
Postlude 
Brian Turner
Christ Whose Glory Fills The Skies​
Be people of peace.
Let peace live in your heart 
and share the peace of Christ with all you meet.
Share peace by acting out of compassion and not fear.
Share peace by listening to all sides of the story.
Share peace by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share peace.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations, 
share peace and hope with those you meet. Amen.