Advent 2 Worship

Welcome to Advent 2 Worship with HomeFaith! Advent is the season leading up to Christmas where we prepare ourselves for God’s coming into the world. We have assembled some videos, music, stories and prayer, as well as some fun activities for the young at heart to enjoy anytime. 

I suggest people participating in this worship read or pray out aloud the words in black. 

Song

Let us worship God in the first song, which is ‘God has spoken to his people’. This is an interesting performance of this song because it was sung in the United Arab Emirates, which is in the Middle East. Arab children singing a Christian song with an Israeli melody! Wow! The video is in the window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4pdEzutrj8

Call to worship

The prophet Isaiah said,

‘Every valley shall be lifted up, 
and every mountain and hill be made low; 
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain’

On this second Sunday of Advent
we remember that God sent us prophets
to help prepare the way. As we worship today,
let us prepare to welcome God’s work for the hope that it brings to people.

We light the second Advent candle as a reminder of the hope that Christ brings. The prophet Malachi said:
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me. (Malachi 3:1)
(The second candle is lit)

Opening prayer

Let us pray. We give you thanks and praise, Almighty God, for your reign draws near with the promise of justice, peace and security for all. You created the earth and its inhabitants, and through the voice of the prophets crying in the desert, you call us to prepare the way for your coming. Through the scriptures, you have spoken words of steadfastness and encouragement, giving us hope in your visions of peace.

Come to us now, Lord of mercy and peace, forgive us for those times when we have moved away from your light, and open our hearts to receive your words of hope. Give us courage and strength to change our lives for the better. Enable much by us and encourage many through us. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Children’s story

This is the story of John the Baptist, from ‘Wild stories about Jesus’. Available from Max7.

Bible reading

The reading for today is from the Gospel of Luke 3:1-6 (from the NRSV Bible). It is full of tongue twisters! Itureaea (I-tu-ri-a), Trachonitis and Abilene are in the region of what we now call Syria. 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, 
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”

And/or video of reading

Here is a dramatic re-enactment of today’s reading from Luke 3:1-6, with a bit extra. It was recorded by a group called the ‘Lumo Gospel’ that have created videos of the four Gospels. If you have trouble connecting you can go direct to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omdRd6XGptQ

Reflective music

The reflective music for today is ‘Behold’, compliments of Emu Music (© 2018 Liv Chapman, Curtis Smith, CCLI Song Number 711556). The video is in the window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voub6R-lIpk

Candle lighting & Message

The speaker for today’s message is Rev. Keith Robinson. 

Prayers

The prayers and blessing for today are in a video led by Ros Robinson and Keith Robinson. Please join in with saying the Lord’s Prayer. 
https://vimeo.com/487516560

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Blessing

We look forward in hope to the special celebration of Emmanuel, God-with-us. Go on your way rejoicing at the one who comes among us in humility, yet overflowing with grace and truth. And as you go, grace, mercy and peace from the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer be with you now and always. Amen!

Song

The closing song, ‘Prepare the way’, is sung by Eric Nuzum, Integrity’s Hosanna! Music. It is licensed to YouTube. If you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQpLH9BGC8I

Fun activities

Here are the fun activities for 

RESOURCES – Advent 2 worship

1. All music excerpts in the Vimeo videos were Creative Commons or purchased as royalty free and did not require acknowledgment. 
2. HomeFaith Advent 2 worship for 2021 is based on the Revised Common lectionary reading for Luke 3:1-6.