I Believe in the Light: Illuminating Peace

² The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
    On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.
³ You have made the nation great;
    you have increased its joy.
They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest,
    as those who divide plunder rejoice.
⁴ As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them,
    the staff on their shoulders,
    and the rod of their oppressor.
⁵ Because every boot of the thundering warriors,
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned, fuel for the fire.
⁶ A child is born to us, a son is given to us,
    and authority will be on his shoulders.
    He will be named
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ There will be vast authority and endless peace
    for David’s throne and for his kingdom,
    establishing and sustaining it
    with justice and righteousness
    now and forever.

Isaiah 9:2-7

Story of the Word

1 In the beginning was the Word
    and the Word was with God
    and the Word was God.
² The Word was with God in the beginning.
³ Everything came into being through the Word,
    and without the Word
    nothing came into being.
What came into being
⁴     through the Word was life, 
    and the life was the light for all people.
⁵ The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.

⁶ A man named John was sent from God. ⁷ He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. ⁸ He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.

⁹ The true light that shines on all people
was coming into the world.
¹⁰ The light was in the world,
and the world came into being through the light,
but the world didn’t recognize the light.
¹¹ The light came to his own people,
and his own people didn’t welcome him.
¹² But those who did welcome him,
those who believed in his name,
he authorized to become God’s children,
¹³ born not from blood
nor from human desire or passion,
but born from God.
¹⁴ The Word became flesh
and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory,
glory like that of a father’s only son,
full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-14

Sunday, December 20, 2020 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

Worship Guide FOR December 20 (CLICK TO OPEN IN NEW WINDOW)

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP BULLETINS:
7 & UP (OPENS IN NEW WINDOW)
3 & UP (OPENS IN NEW WINDOW)