🕊️ “The World God Longs For” — Listening for God’s peace in a world aching for justice, healing, and wholeness.

Worship Service – December 7, 2025 | Second Sunday of Advent: PEACE

Bulletin – 12-07-2025

Scripture: Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19 | Modern Lesson: Dorothee Sölle

This Sunday at Holy Covenant United Church of Christ, we stepped into the second week of Advent carrying a longing both ancient and immediate: the longing for peace. Pastor Christopher Czarnecki preached “The World God Longs For,” inviting us to imagine a world shaped by compassion, justice, and the peace Christ is still bringing to life among us.

Worship opened with a gentle Call to the Heart, naming the many places where peace feels fragile — in our spirits, our relationships, our communities, and our world. Again and again we prayed, “God, guide us in the ways of peace.”

The Candle of Peace, lit by Rev. Jim and Faye Humphrey, reminded us that peace is not something we simply await but something we practice. Each act of mercy, every bridge rebuilt, each truth spoken in love becomes part of the peace God is birthing even now.

Our Modern Lesson from theologian Dorothee Sölle challenged us to refuse complacency and lean toward justice. This resonated with Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19, a prayer for leaders who defend the poor and nurture the flourishing of peace.

In his sermon, Pastor Chris reflected on peace as a daily choice — compassion over indifference, courage over apathy, solidarity over isolation. “The world God longs for,” he said, “is woven through the everyday acts of justice and mercy we choose.”

Music carried this longing with beauty: a shimmering harp prelude, the choir’s prophetic anthem “A Voice in the Desert”, and communion music reminding us that peace is a table we share, a welcome we extend, a love we practice.

At Christ’s open table, we remembered Jesus as the one who heals, lifts up, includes, and sends us out as bearers of peace in a restless world. All were welcomed — hungry or fed, certain or doubtful, straight or queer, named and unnamed — into the grace that meets us again and again.

📖🙏 Order of Worship Highlights:

• Prelude: “The Christ Child’s Lullaby / Tàladh Chriosda” — Kristin Andes, Harp
• Introit: “Welcome to This House”
• Call to the Heart: “God, guide us in the ways of peace.”
• Hymn: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (adapt. Maren Tirabassi)
• Advent Moment: Lighting of the Candle of Peace — Rev. Jim & Faye Humphrey
• Song of Response: “Light the Candle of Peace Today”
• Modern Lesson: Dorothee Sölle
• Anthem: “A Voice in the Desert” — Choir
• Scripture: Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19
• Sermon: “The World God Longs For” — Rev. Christopher Czarnecki
• Communion: The Mystic Supper — an open table of grace, healing, and welcome
• Communion Music: “Christmas Communion Song” & “Table of Grace”
• Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”
• Benediction Response: “While We Are Waiting, Come”