If peace be like a river, let me lie in its bed

swift, cool, and calm, as it flows on ahead.

If peace be gospel shoes let me lace them up tight

Ready to walk through the day and the night. 

If peace be a fruit, let me savor its taste

And let not one filling ever be put to waste.

If peace be a person, then His name is The Lord

A prince to be glorified, loved, and adored.

-Tim Davis

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Come, all you who are thirsty! Come, eat what is good! Our God has made with us an everlasting covenant, that we might live!

All: Let us praise the LORD our God - who was, and is, and is to come!

<based on Isaiah 55>

CONFESSION OF SIN

Leader: You, O God, have offered us living water,

All: But we choose to remain thirsty.

Leader: You, O God, have offered us the bread of life,

All: But we labor for lesser things.

Leader: We stumble through our lives as if through a desert, seeking after a mirage that can never satisfy us. We convince ourselves that we have found peace, but our peace is small and limited. Only you, O God, can offer us something better.

All: O God, we are thirsty and poor. We need you to provide for us!

<Based on Isaiah 55>

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Leader: Just like the rain completes its job before it returns to the sky, Jesus came to earth and accomplished everything for us. The very Word of God walked among us, declaring the coming of the Kingdom. He died on our behalf. He rose to give us life. He returned to heaven triumphant over death, and will come again to lead us into all peace.

All: All praise to King Jesus - the Prince of Peace!

<Based on Isaiah 55, John 1>

PRAYER

Leader: Father, forgive me, for my head is full of anxious thoughts. Are the decorations up? Are the presents wrapped? Who’s coming to dinner? Am I doing enough? The to-do list feels endless at this time of year. How can I set my heart on you?

All: Do not be afraid! There is good news of Great Joy!

My heart doubts your goodness. With my mouth I say I believe that You have paid the cost, but my actions betray me - with lights and traditions and countless lesser things, I toil for the peace you offer freely. Who can save me from my sin?

A Savior has been born to you - the Messiah is here!

In a season where the world wants everything else, I simply want more of you, O God. Teach my mind to dwell on you. Teach my heart to seek your face. Where can I seek you? Where can you be found?

He is a baby, wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.

You, O God, will lead us in joy and peace! You, in Jesus, are making all things new! For now, creation groans for redemption, but then even the mountains and trees will burst into song! By your Spirit, show me that peace now.

Glory to God in the highest! And on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!

This I seek from the prince of peace

To belong wholly to you and not first to people or things

To be free from distraction and hurry

To be present in your presence, not drowned in worry

To receive peace from you who made it

For it can’t be bought from anyone else who tries to sell it

To heal the hurt of strife and war

To bring healing to the broken and poor

To live as a child to the Father and receive love as the Son.

This is the peace you’ve already won.

Fulfill this shalom in the kingdom come

Blessed are the peacemakers who share this news to everyone.

-Justin Chacko

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore.
Jesus is ready to embrace you in His arms.
The mountains may depart, and the hills be removed,
But His steadfast love will not leave you.
Nothing can break His covenant of peace.

All: Let us worship the One who holds us in His love and brings us peace.

<based on Psalm 30 & 34>

CONFESSION OF SIN

Leader: Lord, we come to You, crumbled under the weight of our brokenness. You came so that we might know peace, yet we sow seeds of dissension. You came so we could experience true love, yet we continue searching for love in all the wrong places. You call us to be salt and light in the world, yet we turn away from the cries of the oppressed.

All: Forgive us, Lord, for seeking peace only for ourselves.

<Based on Isaiah 54 and Matthew 5>

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Leader: Hear the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Leader: This is the good news: Through His death on the cross, Jesus has set us free from sin and shame. Through His resurrection, we have access to the source of true peace. His love has lifted the weight of our brokenness. We are no longer alone but are called sons and daughters of the Most High.

All: We do not have to be afraid, for we are children of the Most High God.

<based on Isaiah 54 and John 14>

PRAYER

Father, we come to you weak and weary, longing for real peace. Thank you that you are near to the brokenhearted. Forgive us for seeking comfort for ourselves and neglecting those in need. You came to us while we were yet sinners in need of rescue. Help us to spread your peace by comforting the hurting and welcoming those far from you. Help us to reflect your light in the dark places of this world.

WEEK 2

Like an unending river or the waves of the sea,

peace was promised to wash over me.

And as it came I recognized it not,

so I looked for what was better or so I thought.

Surely my comfort will bring me peace,

whatever feels good should put me at ease.

But as I look for a comfort I can grasp,

everything falls short and nothing lasts.

And so I return to the peace I could not see,

and recognize at last why it flees from me.

Only from God is there peace without end,

but my own wicked heart separates me from Him.

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Awake, awake! Oh people of God, lift up your voice.

All: Together, we sing for joy!

Leader: Awake, awake! To the One who purchased peace.

All: Together, we sing for joy!

Leader: Awake, awake! To the One who secured salvation.

All: Our God reigns, let's sing for joy!

<Based on Isaiah 52:1, 8, Psalm 121 >

CONFESSION OF SIN

Leader: From life's first cry to final breath, we dethrone the Prince of Peace. We want our savior to come in power, not lowly in a manger. We want our savior to come in beauty, not rejected by men. We want our savior to come in glory, not crushed like a lamb.

All: You are not the savior I wanted; my savior is me.

<Based on Isaiah 9:6, 53 >

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Leader: For the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross on our behalf. Gentle and lowly, despised and rejected, like a lamb led to slaughter, Jesus has purchased our peace. Perfectly obedient to the will of the Father, Jesus was raised to life in power by the Holy Spirt, securing salvation for those who call upon His name.

All: Jesus, You are the Savior we need!

<Based on Isaiah 53, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 11:29, Romans 10:9-13 >

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, awaken our hearts to the depth of all You have done for us. Too often, we seek salvation on our own terms, failing to trust in the perfect work You have already accomplished. Instead of embracing Your meekness and humility, we chase after security and recognition, leaving ourselves in a world of chaos of our own making. We confess our desperate need for the peace only You can provide. Teach us to slow down, to let go, and to rest in the grace You have so freely and lovingly given. Amen.

WEEK 1

I was walking to Emmaus

With a coffin in my hand

While the factories of Babylon

Were poisoning the sand

But a stranger came and said to me

That there was still a plan

So take comfort all ye widows

Sojourners in this land

For our storms will find their stillness

In the Resurrected Man

-Douglas Steinman