Interrupted by Peace

1. Gathering & Welcome

Announcements

Call to Worship

Leader: The Lord speaks peace to His people.

People: His salvation is near to all who fear Him.

Leader: Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet.

People: Righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Leader: Come, let us wait upon the God who interrupts chaos with His peace.

All: Glory be to God, our Peace.

Opening Praise Song or Hymn | It Is Well - MH 377

Advent Candle Lighting

As we light our advent candle

We thank you for the peace you give.

As we prepare for Christmas time

Light of the world, shine on us.

In our lives of confusion and stress

Bring peace to our hearts.

To all the people who don’t know you,

Light of the world, shine through us.

In this world of pain and darkness

Help us to share the peace you give.

In our service here today,

Light of the world, light the way.

SPECIAL MUSIC | “Silent Night (Dawning Now of Grace)” | The Advent Light Ensemble

2. Community Connection

Passing of the Peace

(NOW that we’ve worshipped and prayed—perfect time to greet in peace)

Children’s Moment

Advent Week 2 – PEACE

(Hold up a wrapped gift or a small box.)

Good morning, friends!

I brought something with me today — a little box. Now, imagine you had a plan today. Maybe your plan was to play at home, or color, or build with Legos. But then someone came in and said, “STOP! Change of plans!”

How would you feel?

(Surprised? Upset? Confused?)

Well, guess what?

In our Bible story today, a man named Joseph had a plan too.

He was getting ready to marry Mary, start a family, and live a normal life.

But then — BOOM — God interrupted his plans.

An angel showed up in a dream and said,

“Joseph, don’t be afraid. I have a new plan for you.”

Do you think that felt easy?

Nope.

But do you know what God gave Joseph so he could follow that new plan?

Peace.

A calm feeling inside that God was with him.

(Open the box.)

Inside is… nothing fancy. Just a little card (or paper) that says PEACE.

Because sometimes the best gift God gives us isn’t shiny or loud —

it’s peace in our hearts, even when everything changes.

So here’s the good news for you today:

When your plans get interrupted,

God can give you peace too —

the kind that reminds you He’s right there with you.

Let’s pray:

Jesus, thank You for giving us peace when things change.

Help us trust You just like Joseph did.

Amen.

3. The Word & Response

First Scripture Reading | Micah 5:2–5

Micah 5:2–5 NIV

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 5 And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders,

Hymn of Preparation | Goodness of God (Video)

Joys & Concerns

Silent Time of Prayer with the Pastoral Prayer

As we come into this season of waiting and hoping, we also come carrying many things in our hearts.

Instead of our usual sharing of joys and concerns, I want to invite you into a moment of quiet —

a holy pause —

to rest in the presence of the Prince of Peace.

Let us bow our heads together.

(Pause)

Lord Jesus,

in the stillness of this moment,

interrupt our worries with Your peace.

Calm our anxious thoughts,

soften the places in us that feel strained or tired,

and speak Your gentle “Do not be afraid”

over every part of our lives.

We lift to You — in silence —

the names, the needs, the burdens,

and the hopes we carry today.

(Silent prayer — 20–30 seconds)

Prince of Peace,

receive the prayers of Your people.

Hold what we cannot hold,

heal what we cannot heal,

and guide us in the way of Your peace

as we continue to worship You this morning.

Amen.

4. Preparation for the Word

Presentation of Tithes & Offerings

Offertory Music

Doxology

Prayer Over the Offering

Lord of Peace,

as You have interrupted our lives with grace,

use these gifts to interrupt this world with hope.

Bless them, multiply them,

and let Your peace shine through all we do in Your name.

Amen.

Hymn of Reflection | Near to the Heart of God - MH 472

5. The Word Proclaimed

Sermon | Interrupted by Peace

INTRODUCTION

If you listen to the radio this time of year, you’ll hear Andy Williams belting out “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” with such confidence that you’d think everyone wakes up surrounded by matching pajamas, carolers outside the window, and a brand new SUV wrapped in a giant red bow.

Meanwhile, most of us… we’re just hoping we remembered where we hid the receipts, that the ham thaws in time, and that Aunt Carol and Cousin Bill don’t get seated next to each other again this year.

Even the Nativity scene gets messy.

A few years ago, we were looking at a publicly displayed Nativity set, and something immediately looked… off. There was Mary, there was baby Jesus, the animals… and then, right next to Mary, was a Wise Man. A Wise Man! Meanwhile poor Joseph got relegated to the back like he was waiting in line at the DMV. I remember thinking, “No wonder Joseph looks confused—he’s not even sure if he belongs in his own scene!”

And if we’re honest… that’s kind of the point.

Even the Nativity gets interrupted.

Even the Christmas story looks messy up close.

And that’s exactly where God shows up.

Today we look at Joseph—a man whose life plans are suddenly shattered. A man who had a blueprint, a direction, a future all lined up. And then God interrupts him… not with ease… but with peace.

Second Scripture Reading | Matthew 1:16–25 

Matthew 1:16–25 NIV

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. 17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah. 18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Lord, as we open Your Word in this Advent season,

may the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight.

Hide me behind the cross so that Your light, not mine, is what shines.

And in spite of my flaws and stumblings, let Your truth be proclaimed and received with peace today.

Amen.

BIG IDEA

True peace doesn’t mean ease—it means trusting God’s Word enough to obey even when plans fall apart.

POINT 1 — God’s Word Disrupts Our Fear

(Matthew 1:18–21)

Joseph’s story begins with a shock:

Mary is pregnant. And Joseph knows he’s not the father.

Now, in those days, a betrothal wasn’t casual—it was legally binding.

Breaking it required a divorce.

And Mary being pregnant meant two things under the law:

Joseph could legally divorce her

Mary could legally be stoned

So Joseph begins planning:

How to separate quietly

How to avoid shame

How to keep Mary safe

How to explain this at the carpenters’ union water cooler

He has every reason to be afraid—socially, emotionally, spiritually.

And right in the middle of that fear, God interrupts.

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid…”

Not:

“Here’s the whole plan, Joseph.”

“Here’s how this will all make sense.”

“Here’s a 12-month strategic planning calendar.”

No.

Just:

“Do not be afraid.”

Peace doesn’t always come through understanding.

It comes through hearing God’s Word in the middle of uncertainty.

Aaron Klink wrote something that hit home for me:

“God’s work often upsets comfortable social expectations.”

Isn’t that the truth?

We want peace to be calm, quiet, soft… like the soundtrack of a Hallmark movie.

But biblical peace shows up right in the middle of interruption.

Just ask Joseph.

Just ask Zechariah last week!

Just ask anyone God has ever called.

God’s Word interrupts fear—and replaces it with peace powerful enough to steady the heart.

And you know, Joseph’s story hits close to home for me.

This time last year, I was in the middle of leaving the UMC churches I was pastoring and was filling in right here at Sand Hill GMC. The church had begun asking if I would consider becoming their pastor, and I was deep in a season of discernment. I kept praying, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” And all I sensed from God—back in August and September—was, “Get through the holidays.”

That’s it.

No details.

No five-step plan.

Just four words… almost like God’s own version of “Do not be afraid.”

And during that time, I kept driving past the restaurant where I had my official conversation about the job. Now… this is where it gets funny.

Because the restaurant was DENNY’S.

Who knew that the new Denny’s in town would become a spiritual signpost for me? I mean, really—God could’ve used a burning bush, a talking donkey, a chorus of angels…

but nope.

He used Denny’s.

And every time I drove past it, I felt this overwhelming sense of peace—something I honestly couldn’t explain to anyone else. It was like God was whispering, “You’re going to know. Just not yet.”

And sure enough, after the holidays passed, on the morning of January 2nd, God woke me up with a simple sentence:

“You know what to do.”

Peace didn’t come because I had all the answers.

Peace came because God was already preparing the way.

POINT 2 — Disruption Is Sometimes Divine Fulfillment

(Matthew 1:22–23; Isaiah 7:14)

If Joseph thought his life was falling apart…

He hadn’t yet realized his story was falling into prophecy.

Matthew’s Gospel starts with a genealogy—a family tree filled with:

sinners

saints

foreigners

failures

murder

adultery

and plenty of broken branches

Hardly a pristine, polished Christmas tree.

But as our Bible study reminded us:

“The journey from Sarah’s womb to Mary’s is marked with willing sin, injustice, and the grotesque abuse of power… Sin is strong, but grace is stronger.”

When Joseph receives the news of Mary’s pregnancy… he thinks it’s the next broken branch.

But God says:

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken…”

The disruption Joseph wanted to avoid

was the very doorway through which God was fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy:

“The virgin shall conceive and bear a son…”

Joseph’s world wasn’t collapsing—it was aligning.

And let’s be honest:

We too feel pressure for Christmas to be perfect:

perfect gifts

perfect dinners

perfect outfits

perfect family gatherings

perfect Nativity scenes (where Joseph is actually in the right spot)

But Christmas isn’t about perfection.

It’s about interruption.

God entering the chaos.

God fulfilling His promises in ways we never saw coming.

What looks like chaos may actually be calling.

What feels like disruption may be divine fulfillment.

POINT 3 — Peace Leads to Obedient Action

(Matthew 1:24–25; Philippians 4:4–9; Ephesians 4:1–6)

Joseph doesn’t just feel better after the dream.

He doesn’t sit back and say, “Wow, peace washed over me—guess I’ll wait and see what happens.”

No.

“When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.”

He moves.

He obeys.

He steps into God’s plan—even when it costs him his reputation, his comfort, and his expectations.

That’s biblical peace.

Peace is movement.

Peace is direction.

Peace is the strength to say,

“Lord, I don’t understand everything, but I trust You enough to take the next step.”

This reminds me of the concept of repentance and how it isn’t just being sorry or turning away from something—

but turning toward the One who calls us.

Not a 360—because then you’re dizzy and headed the same way.

But a 180 toward God.

Repentance is realignment.

Peace is the fruit of that realignment.

Joseph turns:

away from fear

away from his original plan

away from appearances

away from social expectations

And he turns:

toward Mary

toward obedience

toward God’s fulfillment

toward raising the Son of God

Peace is not a feeling you wait for.

It is a path you walk.

CONCLUSION

Joseph’s life didn’t go according to plan.

Neither does ours.

He was interrupted—deeply.

Yet right in the middle of that interruption, peace arrived.

Not the peace of perfect circumstances,

but the peace of God-with-us… Emmanuel.

And here’s the good news for us today:

The same Jesus who entered Joseph’s chaos

enters ours as well.

He comes to steady trembling hearts.

He comes to realign wandering lives.

He comes to speak, “Do not be afraid,”

and invite us once more to trust and obey.

And today, He invites us to His Table.

For this meal is a holy interruption—

a pause in our rushing,

a break in our fear,

a moment where heaven once again breaks into earth.

Here at the Table,

we remember the One who brings peace into broken places.

We receive grace for the paths we’re walking

and strength for the obedience we’re called to.

So as Joseph rose from sleep and did as the Lord commanded,

may we rise from this Table strengthened to do the same.

Come now, people of God.

Come to the place where peace meets us,

where Christ feeds us,

and where His presence interrupts our fear

with the promise of new life.

Let us prepare our hearts

to receive Holy Communion.

Lord Jesus,

as we come to Your Table, interrupt our fear with Your peace.

Still our hearts, open our hands,

and prepare us to receive the grace You offer.

Meet us in this meal as You met Joseph in the night—

with a word of courage, a promise of presence,

and the strength to follow wherever You lead.

Amen.

6. Holy Communion

As we come to the Table today, let us open our hearts to the peace that interrupts our fears and draws us closer to Christ. Hear now the invitation to Holy Communion.

THE INVITATION (Pastor)

Christ our Lord, the Prince of Peace, invites to His table all who love Him,

all who earnestly seek to turn from fear toward faith,

all who long for the peace that interrupts our brokenness and makes us whole.

On this second Sunday of Advent, as we light the candle of Peace,

we remember Joseph who awoke from his dream and obeyed,

trusting the God who spoke peace into his fear.

Come, then, to this table—

you who are steady,

you who are stumbling,

you who feel interrupted,

you who long to be made new.

Christ meets us here with grace enough for the journey.

THE CONFESSION & PARDON

Pastor:

Let us confess our sin before God and one another.

O God of peace,

we confess that we have followed our own plans instead of Yours.

We have made room for fear but not for faith,

for hurry but not for holiness.

In this Advent season, interrupt our restless hearts.

Turn us away from the paths that drain our joy

and toward the way that leads to Your peace.

Forgive us, renew us, and guide us,

that we may walk in Your will—

like Joseph, listening, trusting, and obeying.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor (Assurance):

Hear the good news:

In the fullness of time, God sent Emmanuel—God with us—

to speak peace into our fears

and forgiveness into our failures.

Pastor: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

People: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

All: Glory to God. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING (Advent – Peace)

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Pastor (Preface):

It is right, and a good and joyful thing,

always and everywhere to give thanks to You, Almighty God,

Creator of heaven and earth.

From the beginning, You spoke peace over chaos—

and Your peace has never stopped breaking in.

Through the voices of prophets and the obedience of servants,

You prepared the world for the coming of Your Son.

In these Advent days,

we remember how Your peace interrupted Joseph with a dream,

Mary with a greeting,

and shepherds with a sky full of angels.

Your peace comes not as the world expects,

but as the world needs.

And so, with Your people on earth

and all the company of heaven,

we praise Your name and join their unending hymn:

People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might…

Pastor (Prayer of Consecration):

Holy are You, and blessed is Your Son Jesus Christ,

the One who was born into our broken family tree

to bring peace the world could not give.

In Him, Your Word became flesh—

interrupted our fear,

fulfilled Your promise,

and walked among us full of grace and truth.

When the time came for Him to give Himself up for us,

He took bread,

gave thanks to You,

broke it,

gave it to His disciples and said:

“Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.

Do this in remembrance of me.”

When the supper was over, He took the cup,

gave thanks to You,

gave it to His disciples and said:

“Drink from this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

And so, in remembrance of these Your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,

we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving—

interrupting our schedules, our fears, and even our excuses—

as a holy and living sacrifice,

in union with Christ’s offering for us,

as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

People: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pastor (Epiclesis):

Pour out Your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,

and on these gifts of bread and wine.

Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,

that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by His blood.

As You spoke peace to Joseph in the night,

speak peace over us now.

Where fear rises—quiet it.

Where plans crumble—steady us.

Where obedience feels costly—strengthen us.

Make us instruments of peace in a world still longing for the Savior’s light.

Through Your Son Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit in Your holy Church,

all honor and glory is Yours, Almighty Father,

now and forever.

People: Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and

the glory, forever. Amen. 

BREAKING THE BREAD (Pastor)

Because there is one loaf,

we who are many are one body—

for we all partake of the one loaf.

The bread which we break

is a sharing in the body of Christ.

The cup over which we give thanks

is a sharing in the blood of Christ.

GIVING THE BREAD AND CUP

PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING (Pastor)

Prince of Peace,

You have met us in this meal and interrupted our fear with grace.

As we leave this table, guide our steps like Joseph—

trusting Your Word, following Your call,

and carrying Your peace into every place we go.

Amen.

7. Sending Forth

Sending Hymn | Solid Rock (Video)

Benediction

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and

the glory, forever. Amen. 

Postlude or Instrumental Recessional