Opening Song: O Righteous Branch by Caroline Cobb SmithLyrics:Oh righteous branch from Jesse's rootPlease come and bring Your kingdomThe lion dwelling with the lambBring peace and life and freedomOh Son of David come to ruleAnd reign in us foreverCome write Your law upon our heartsAnd keep us like a shepherdHallelujah Jesus we wait for YouHallelujah Jesus come soon come soonMessiah come Your Spirit giveTurn stony hearts to fleshRedeem us from captivityThe power of sin and deathJesus come soon come soonAt last at last the morning comesWith healing in its wingsWe'll leap like calves loosed from their stallsFor You have done great thingsYes You have done great thingsPassage: 14 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’(Jeremiah Musical Reflection:O Come, O Come Emmanuel, chant adapted by Thomas HelmoreReflection Notes: The tune VENI IMMANUEL comes from a 15th century chant and originally served as part of a requiem mass. Thomas Helmore adapted it for congregational use as a hymn in the late 1800s, while still retaining the speech-like flow of the original chant. The text dates back to the 8th century and was translated from Latin to English by J. M. Neal. Prayer:This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.