Call to Worship from Isaiah 40:1-11

Comfort, comfort each other. Speak tenderly.
Prepare the holy way of God!
Let us watch together as the way is made walkable:
The valleys are lifted up, the mountains and hills made low.
The rough places are smoothed out to ease our journey.
We see the glory of God.
We hear the word of God.
We proclaim the truth of God:
God will feed us, gather us, and gently lead us.
Thanks be to God!

Candle-Lighting Liturgy from Mark 1:1-8

As we listen for the voice crying out in the wilderness,
We light this candle of peace.
Though the terrain is rough and the path unclear,
We experience peace through our commitment to Jesus’ way.
As people enact violence to gain power in this world,
We humble ourselves and claim the power of repentance.
Let us prepare the way of our God,
In our hearts and in our world.
As a prophetic cry in the wilderness,
We light this candle of peace.