Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, December 8, 2024, the Second Sunday of Advent.
In this Sunday’s sermon, I invite us to reflect on John the Baptist’s call to “prepare the way of the Lord.” In the wilderness, John reminds us that God’s plan includes each of us, no matter how small our role may seem. Through God’s tender mercy, we are guided to smooth the rough places in our hearts and lives, trusting that Christ’s light will lead us into peace.
Advent 2 Candle Prayer
God of mercy, as we light the second candle of our Advent wreath, we remember the call to prepare the way of the Lord. We give thanks for the light of God’s mercy, which shines brightly in our hearts and in our world. Just as John the Baptist called the people to repentance and renewal, we open our hearts to your transforming love.
Help us to smooth the rough places in our lives, fill the valleys of doubt and despair, and level the mountains of pride and fear. May your light guide us toward the peace that only you can give. As we wait in hope for the coming of Christ, remind us that even our small, faithful actions are part of your greater plan of salvation. We trust that you walk with us, offering grace for every step of our journey. Prepare our hearts and our lives, that we may reflect the love and mercy of Christ to all we encounter.
As we continue this Advent journey, we cry out with confidence and expectation: Lord Jesus, come soon! Amen.
Today’s Opening Sentence
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. All flesh shall see the salvation of God. – Luke 3:4,6
Today’s Reading – Luke 3:1–6
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.’ ” 1
Your Online Message and Prayers
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Reflection questions for the week:
- What “rough places” or “crooked paths” in your life might God be calling you to address this Advent season? How can you invite God’s mercy into those areas?
- In what ways can small acts of kindness or faithfulness in your daily life prepare the way for God’s love to reach others?
- Have you ever felt too small or insignificant to matter in God’s plan? How does John the Baptist’s story encourage you to see your role differently?
- Where have you seen God guiding your feet “into the way of peace” in your life? How might you trust God’s presence more fully as you prepare for Christ this Advent?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
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God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ↩︎