Advent 2022 New Heights Bentonville

Opening Prayer


Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.


Scripture


“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” -Luke 2:14


Reflection


Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.


Scripture


“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” -Luke 2:14


Prayer


God, truly all glory belongs to you.


This day.


The day we celebrate the arrival of your son.


May we find time to relive the total hush of all creation.


The pregnant pause between Mary’s final cry and Jesus’ first.


The collective breath of the world held for what seems an eternity.


The light that chases away all darkness enters not as a raging fire, but a gentle flickering wick.


Bound in all of humanities frailty.


The cry of a child.


A cry of THE child.


The promised one enters His creation the way of all creation, dirty, hungry, tired.


Truly your ways and thoughts are higher than ours.


As this day progresses, will you bring us back again and again to that moment of silence and awe.


Closing


And may we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.


Amen and Amen.

Opening Prayer


Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.


Scripture


For to us a child is born,


to us a son is given;


and the government shall be upon


his shoulder,


and his name shall be called


Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,


Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


-Isaiah 9:6


Reflection


Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.


Scripture


For to us a child is born,


to us a son is given;


and the government shall be upon


his shoulder,


and his name shall be called


Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,


Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


-Isaiah 9:6


Prayer


Oh majestic Lord of Hosts, Wonderful Counselor, Everlasting Father, we turn our eyes to you.


As prophecy comes into full fruition and you become incarnate we stand in complete awe of you- King Jesus.


To us, you are born; the Great Light piecing the dark, dim, desperate world.


You shatter all darkness replacing it with joy and incomprehensible hope.


A new Kingdom is born! A dominion of perfect peace from the imperfect line of David.


The past of sin, injustice and despair replaced with the increased of righteousness, justice, and redemption.


Stunningly in the humble form of a baby, backed with all power and authority of Heaven.


What an unimaginable miracle to our finite minds!


This Christmas Eve we remember the greatest gift of you, King Jesus.


The salvation, and sacrifice of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us.


Fix our gaze and affections forever in you.


Receive our praise and deepest admiration, Name Above All Names, Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ our Lord.


Closing


Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.

Opening Prayer


Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.


Scripture


Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.


-Revelation 1:7


Reflection


Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.


Scripture


Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.


-Revelation 1:7


Prayer


You Jesus, are not safe.


We long to see your return, yet we tremble.


Each of us finds in our hands the bloodied spear that pierced you.


We lament.


Oh God have mercy on us.


Memories of our shortcomings flash before our eyes in a never ending sequence of shame.


We hide our faces.


We are not worthy to look at the lamb that was slain.


Yet you don’t see us as wretched.


You see us through the eyes of an artist.


The creator who made what he made.


Who turns our imperfections into beauty.


While we hide our faces, you lift our chins.


You took on our guilt.


Our shame was buried with you.


You buried our iniquity in sheol and rose again, the hope of the world.


You revealed I am who I am.


Compassionate and gracious.


Slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.


Praise be that you Are who you Are.


Closing


Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.

Opening Prayer


Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.


Scripture


So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.


-2 Corinthians 4:16-18


Reflection


Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.


Scripture


So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.


-2 Corinthians 4:16-18


Prayer


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! All praise is due to you, God of hope, The hope of true life. The renewed humanity of our Lord. Though we bear a great burden, In sharing the sufferings of Christ. Our load is light when compared to our hope. Remember, we are dust. And to dust, we shall return. Though we are passing away day by day In you, we are being renewed. Our light, transient troubles Are achieving for us an eternal glory. The weight of which is too vast for us to comprehend. We see in Christ The first fruits. The promise of our new life. The harvest is upon us. Yet we are subject to decay. Grant, oh Lord that through it Your renewed life may be revealed In our mortal flesh. May we fix our gaze not On the bleakness of the passing dust, But on the hope of your dazzling light


Closing


Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.

Opening Prayer


Triune God, you live and reign forever, world without end.


Scripture


Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. -Hebrews 10:23


Reflection


Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow us in Faithfulness. May we embrace and ever hold fast to the blessed hope of everlasting life.


Scripture


Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. -Hebrews 10:23


Prayer


Faithful God, you are holy and your ways are sure.


May we be steadfast in you.


In a world of shifting, let us be a people who are grounded in much more than mere Earth.


Embolden us as people of the Spirit.


Unshaken by circumstances because we have the Peace which surpasses all understanding.


Increase our faith, our understanding of your ways, and let us be illuminated as Light by the fruits of your Spirit more each day.


Grow us in your word, in daily disciplines as followers of you, God.


Give us confidence, truthful reminders that we are moving from victory, a holy priesthood of believers, standing firm in our faith with all the saints.


Help us encourage one another.


Heal our relationships this season and help us bless others because we have received the greatest spiritual blessing as your chosen ones.


Church, let us live as sent.


Be strong, it’s not over — encourage and offer hope in our faith to one another because we have the sovereign one on our side.


God is a keeper of promises, He will never fail and hasn’t left us in our failure, he has given us HOPE, anchored & secured


Closing


Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.