“Love, Hope, and Light in the Community”

ADVENT 2

9:30 Sunday School

Today's Leaders

*Song Leader: Leah Huyard
*Worship Leader: Sonya Gasser
*Children’s Time: Dwight Huyard

Sermon:
Pastor Kevin Gasser

Announcements

Congratulations to Denay, Ben, AJ and KC True on the birth of Rachel Marie! You may sign up on the bulletin board to bring them a meal.

The Mennonite Women of Staunton annual Christmas party will be held on December 6 in the conference room at Panera Bread in Waynesboro, beginning at 6:00 pm. Please bring your favorite chocolate candy to exchange, and consider contributing to a Virginia Mennonite Missions Project. See Sonya or Kathy to RSVP, or for more information.

Men and children, you are welcome to gather at the church on Tuesday while the women attend their party. Please bring food to share.

There will be a Christmas Benefit Concert for SACRA on Monday, December 12, beginning at 7:00 pm at Memorial Baptist Church. This concert will feature local artists, such as the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, The Faithful Men, Christopher Bono, and Mr. Jefferson’s Bones. See the bulletin board for more information.

Eastern Mennonite School will be presenting Handel’s Messiah, December 13 and 15, beginning at 7:30 pm both evenings.

There will be a carry-in Christmas lunch after church on December 18. After the service all are welcome to participate in or watch a special Christmas edition of Bible Quizzing.

Please pray for:

• Those affected by the attack at Ohio State.
• Those affected by the fires in North Carolina and Tennessee.

Matthew 3:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way
 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:

No one truly knows Christ unless they follow Him daily in life" - Hans Denck

Thank you for joining us in worship today.  If this is your first time at Staunton Mennonite, please fill out the “Welcome” card in the back of the pew and place it in the offering plate.

Prepare the way Call to Worship Leader: In the nighttime of fear, we build walls and fences. People: Rather than showing hospitality, we keep the stranger away. We forget the truth that God’s love is for everyone. Leader: O God, show us the way of your heart. All: Come quickly, show us. Confessing/Reconciling Leader: God of harmony, People: we yearn to walk in your way but often choose our own path of turmoil and pain. Save us, Lord, from the pride and foolishness of choosing our own course, that we may humbly and confidently follow your lead, through Jesus Christ. Amen. Leader: Throughout the tumult of life, God holds you close in love. Rejoice, because God’s wisdom is your guide, God’s compassion is your strength. God’s love is your redemption. All: Come, let us walk in the way of God’s heart! Sending Come! Walk in the way of God’s heart. The dawn is breaking! Christ is coming to set us free from chaos. He will show us the way. Today is the second Sunday of Advent. Advent–Epiphany worship resources are produced cooperatively by Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Church USA, and Leader magazine. Bible readings for today: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12. Bible readings for next Sunday: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11. Mennonite Worship Bulletins © 2016 MennoMedia, Harrisonburg, Va., and Kitchener, Ont. Printed in the USA. December 4, 2016. Cover design by Paul Stocksdale; © 2016 Church of the Brethren.