Theme for the week: Peace

Prayer for the week: Our God who is at work, as a gardener uses their tools to stir up the dirt, may you clear a holy space in our life where hurt and destruction have no place. Clear our lives of hatred and despair, plant seeds of joy and peace, that will sprout plants of hope in our lives. Teach us to live in peace and harmony with you, one another, and the world you created. Amen.

Song for the Week: Artist: Artist: Andrew Peterson; Album: Behold the Lamb of God; Song: So Long, Moses

IMAGINE (Candle lighting)

Today we light the candle because we long to be prepared for you. We light this candle that your peace might shine bright in our lives. It is easy to be unaware of your presence. If only for a few moments, we long for this day to be different. We light this candle so that our voices no longer blend in with all the noise around us.

(The person lighting the candle can say, Jesus is here. Everyone else, by his spirit he is here.)

STORY

*As you read, instruct everyone present to listen for a word, phrase, or idea that captures your attention. Especially look for the imagery present and how the arrival of Jesus is depicted through everyday life. After reading, take a few minutes to share.

Matthew 3:1-12 (NIV)

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’ ”

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

SKETCH

As we read, feel free to use this space, a journal, or a roll of butcher paper to create. Draw a picture, write a poem, or doodle. Also, record what captured each person’s imagination while reading the scripture.

BLOOM

Pray for each other, your family, and the opportunity to be light this Advent season.

DREAM

Be Present: John prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to repent, to turn from their ways and follow Jesus’ way. Like John, we are called to prepare the way for Jesus. Think of a way your can bless a friend or a neighbor. Bake cookies, rake leaves, call an old friend. Whatever you decide to do, do it together and pray that your actions would prepare the way for the Holy Spirit to work!
 

BLESSING

2 Thessalonians 3:16 (The Message)
May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!