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Second Sunday of Advent

Worship
Isaiah 40:1-11
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8
Second Sunday of Advent - B
James R. Wilson
Lectionary Worship Aids
Cycle B, Series IV
First Lesson: Isaiah 40:1-11
Theme: The Word of the Lord stands forever.

Call To Worship
Leader: Praise be to the Lord our God, Creator of Heaven and Earth!
People: The Lord our God is victorious, for no power can stand against God.
Leader: God speaks and the Universe trembles, for the Word of God stands forever.
People: Blessed are God's people, called to serve through the risen Christ.
Leader: Christ, who offers eternal life that all might dwell with God forever.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, we are so frail in time and space, yet You love us and desire to give us eternity. Only You, Lord, created the universe, and only You, Lord, are worthy of praise. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

O God, so often we have allowed the teachings and philosophies of the world to convince us eternity is impossible and life must be lived only for the pleasure we can receive in the moment. Forgive us, Lord, for we have failed to hear the Scriptures as they tell us of Your greatness and boldly proclaim through all time how Your Word shall stand forever. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Hymns

"Rejoice, The Lord Is King"
"Sing Praise To God Who Reigns Above"
"Jesus Shall Reign"

* * * * * * *

Second Lesson: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Theme: The patience of the Lord is for salvation.

Call To Worship
Leader: Let all who have known the mercy of the Lord come today for worship.
People: We were each lost and the Lord sought us and redeemed us.
Leader: For the Lord is patient and does not turn away when we are lost.
People: Yet we have often been slow to hear the call of Christ in our lives.
Leader: Praise be to God, whose patience and love has led to our salvation.
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

God, in Your wonderful and loving way You have chosen to be the Good Shepherd, never giving up on finding us, Your lost sheep. You alone are worthy of our praise and our love, dear Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

O God, too often we have mistaken Your patience in seeking us out for Your acceptance of our sinful ways. Too often we have pushed the limits in life for our own desires and wandered further and further from the blessings You would work through our lives. Forgive us, Lord, and again lead us to become faithful servants in Your kingdom. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Isaiah 40:1-11

"Come, Sinners, To The Gospel Feast"
"God Of Grace And God Of Glory"
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling"

* * * * * * *

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8
Theme: Christ, our Savior, is coming.

Call To Worship
Leader: Rejoice! The Lord has heard our cries. One is coming who will save us all.
People: Praise be to God! Will this one lead us as a mighty warrior?
Leader: The One to come will redeem us through love and the Holy Spirit.
People: But will this New Kingdom be strong and respected and admired by all?
Leader: The One to come will reign over the hearts of all throughout eternity!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

Almighty God, whose mercy surpasses the bounds the human mind can comprehend, You sent the Christ to call us into Your family even when our vision was too small. We praise You, Lord! In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

Lord, so often we have tried to tell You what is best for us and our world instead of seeking Your eternal wisdom and guidance in prayer. Too often we have sought greatness and power by worldly standards and failed to hear Your call to serve even the poor and wounded around us. Forgive us, Lord, and give us the strength and courage to become Your servants anew. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Hymns

"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"
"Savior Of The Nations Come"
"How Great Thou Art"

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For December 14, 2025:

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Today I have rolled out the red carpet for you.  We are not famous people, movie stars or royalty, so maybe you have not had this kind of fancy treatment. But often for very important people, red carpet is actually put down for them to walk on.

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What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. (v. 8)

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C. David Mckirachan
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"Truckin'" by C. David McKirachan
"Heretic or Saint?" by Frank Ramirez


* * * * * * * * *


Truckin'
C. David McKirachan
Isaiah 35:1-10

SermonStudio

Elizabeth Achtemeier
This passage has many affinities with the prophecies of Second Isaiah (Isaiah 40-55), and it has often been attributed to him. But there are differences. In Isaiah 40:3, the "way" is for the Lord, here it is for the redeemed and ransomed (vv. 9-10). In Isaiah 51:11, the reference is to the return from Babylonian exile. Here in verse 10, that context is missing, and those who are returning to Zion are the members of Israel dispersed throughout the ancient Near East. Thus, this text is probably from a time after Second Isaiah and sometime after 538 B.C.
Russell F. Anderson
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS

Lesson 1: Isaiah 35:1--10 (C, E, L); Isaiah 35:1--6, 10 (RC)
Paul E. Robinson
Christmas has a way of bringing back memories. One that came to my mind as I was preparing this message was when my family would be driving home at night in the car and my father would lead us in singing a song. To all of us family members who remember those fun, cozy journeys toward home, there are many layers of meaning to the words. The song goes like this:

There's a long, long trail awinding,
Into the land of my dreams,
Where the nightingales are singing
And the white moon beams.
There's a long, long night of waiting
Dallas A. Brauninger
E-mail
From: KDM
To: God
Subject: Be Patient
Message: In the meantime, God.... Lauds, KDM

E-mail from KDM to God. Subject: Be patient. Message: In the meantime, God.... Lauds, KDM.
Susan R. Andrews
It was a painful experience for both of us. Jane was a young mother about my age. She had been on the pastor nominating committee that called us to New Jersey. And we had shared much laughter and friendship through the years. She also was on the session - and that cold November night she seemed edgy and distant. I soon found out why. Following the meeting, she waited for me out in the parking lot. And after I locked the church door, she simply lit into me. "How dare you!" she said. "How dare you push your own political viewpoints down our throats, and abuse your privilege as a pastor!
H. Burnham Kirkland
Theme: Prepare The Way

Call To Worship
Leader: To those wandering in darkness,
People: Christ came as the Light of the World.
Leader: To those who are at odds with others and themselves,
People: Christ is the Prince of Peace.
Leader: To those who seek the presence of the divine,
People: Christ is Emmanuel, God with us.
All: Come, let us anticipate the advent of our Lord.

Invocation
Robert S. Jarboe
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.)

Date:

Reader A:

Reader B:

Introit
(As the introit is being sung, Readers A and B come forward and stand by the Advent wreath until the music is finished.)

Litany
Reader A: Please turn to the Advent litany in your bulletins.
(Pause as they do so.)
Let all who take refuge in God be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
O God, spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Coffin
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Special Occasion

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