Sunday’s Sermon:Aliso Creek Church PodcastOpening Song: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People by Catherine Winkworth and Johannes G. Olearius, arranged by Nathan Clark GeorgeLyrics:Comfort ye my peopleSpeak ye peace thus saith our GodComfort comfortComfort those who sit in darknessMourning 'neath their sorrow's loadSpeak ye to JerusalemOf the peace that waits for themTell her that her sins I coverAnd her warfare now is overHark the voice of one that criethIn the desert far and nearBidding all souls to repentanceSince the kingdom now is hereO that warning cry obeyNow prepare for God awayLet the valleys rise to meet HimAnd the hills bow down to greet HimMake ye make yeMake ye straight what long was crookedMake the rougher places plainLet your hearts be true and humbleAs befits His holy reignFor the glory of the LordNow o'er the earth is shed abroadAnd all flesh shall see the tokenAnd all flesh shall see the tokenThat His word is never brokenComfort ye my peoplePassage: 1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of hard service is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.”3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.4 Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain.5 And the glory of the LORD will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.6 A voice was saying, “Cry out!” Another said, “What should I cry out?” “All humanity is grass, and all its goodness is like the flower of the field.7 The grass withers, the flowers fade when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass.8 The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.”9 Zion, herald of good news, go up on a high mountain. Jerusalem, herald of good news, raise your voice loudly. Raise it, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”10 See, the Lord GOD comes with strength, and his power establishes his rule. His wages are with him, and his reward accompanies him.11 He protects his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them in the fold of his garment. He gently leads those that are nursing.(Isaiah Musical Reflection: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus, tune by Rowland Hugh PrichardReflection Notes: This jubilant Advent text was written by the well-known hymn writer, Charles Wesley. While several tunes have been used over the years, one of the most popular for the Advent season is HYFRIDOL, a lilting Welsh melody composed by Rowland Hugh Prichard in the early nineteenth century. 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.