When Heaven Came Down: Week 2 The Messenger in the Silence

Modern Worship Songs (Peace + God Hearing Us)

“King of Kings” — Hillsong Worship

“It Is Well” — Kristene DiMarco

“Peace Be Still” — The Belonging Co. / Lauren Daigle

“The Same God” — Elevation Worship

“Make Room” — Community Music

“I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130)” — Shane & Shane — Beautiful for a week focused on silence and waiting.

Additional Christmas Carols for PEACE

“Silent Night” — Peace of Christ entering the quiet night

“Still, Still, Still” — Quiet, gentle, peace-centered carol

“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” — Angelic proclamation of peace

Announcements:

1.

2.

3.

4.

Worship:

1.

2.

3.

Scripture: Luke 1:11–13, 19 (CSB) Candle: Bethlehem Candle — Peace

Luke 1:11–13 CSB

11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was terrified and overcome with fear. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John.

Luke 1:19 CSB

19 The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.

Candle Lighting Script

Reader 1: Today we light the Bethlehem Candle, the Candle of Peace. God was silent for four hundred years… yet He was not absent.

Reader 2 (Scripture): “Do not be afraid, Zechariah… your prayer has been heard.” (Luke 1:13 CSB)

Reader 1: God breaks the silence with peace—reminding us He hears prayers even when heaven feels quiet.

(Light the Hope and Peace Candles)

All: Lord, calm our hearts with Your peace. Amen.

Illustration / Story — “The Static Before the Signal”

Old radios in farm trucks or barns sometimes flicker with static before the station comes in. There’s noise, crackling, confusion—but it doesn’t mean the message isn’t coming. It means you’re close.

Sometimes God’s silence is just the crackling before His voice breaks through.

Devotional Reflection

Zechariah prayed for years… and heard nothing. But heaven had heard him all along. When the time was right, God sent Gabriel with a message:

“Your prayer has been heard.”

Peace doesn’t come from getting every answer—it comes from knowing God has heard every prayer.

Discussion Questions

When have you felt like God was silent?

What prayer have you been waiting on?

What would it look like to trust God in the silence?

Weekly Challenge

Pause once each day for one minute of quiet. Breathe. Pray. Ask God to speak peace into your silence.