Advent 2022: Recent Episodes
New Heights Bentonville
Opening Prayer
People of God, prepare: God comes soon to the world he has made. Children of God, rejoice: Emmanuel is coming.
Scripture
It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." -Isaiah 25:9
Reflection
Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow in us patience. Cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light.
Scripture
It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." -Isaiah 25:9
Prayer
King Jesus, author of hope, we rejoice in you!
You are a stronghold to your people.
A safe place to us in our broken distress.
You came to seek and save the lost.
To teach us a new way of life.
A hope not found in our circumstances, but found in the person and work of King Jesus.
We see the new thing you have come to do and we will never lose heart.
We know you are faithful to bring about your salvation plan to full fruition.
Let us be part of your renewal, for your glory.
We reflect and in the same way anticipate your coming again to make all things new.
Humble us, create in us a pure heart and renew our spirit within you.
Praise be to the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us move forward encouraged and confident as we see the day approaching.
Closing
Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.
Opening Prayer
People of God, prepare: God comes soon to the world he has made. Children of God, rejoice: Emmanuel is coming.
Scripture
For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. -Galatians 5:5
Reflection
Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow in us patience. Cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light.
Scripture
For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. -Galatians 5:5
Prayer
Lord, guide us with your love to be sensitive to your spirit leading us towards righteousness.
Help us to have a healthy perspective and a heart-set that recognizes the freedom we have in you.
Thank you for that freedom.
Let redemption and the love you have shown us be what motivates us to pursue your truth, serve you for your glory, and wait with expectation for the hope that you have given us through Christ Jesus.
We praise you for your love that grounds us in your ways and shifts the weight of this life back on to you.
Closing
Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.
Opening Prayer
People of God, prepare: God comes soon to the world he has made. Children of God, rejoice: Emmanuel is coming.
Scripture
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Psalm 62:5-7
Reflection
Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow in us patience. Cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light.
Scripture
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Psalm 62:5-7
Prayer
LORD, God we wait for you.
So often, it feels like we wait alone, and in silence.
In these times of waiting, it can be so hard to remember, But, our salvation is found in you alone.
LORD, deliver us.
The adversary is battering our walls.
They’re leaning LORD! How long will they stand?
We are teetering from the heights! Will we be cast down?!
Save us, LORD! No other can save us.
It's for you alone that we wait in silence.
We will not be shaken!
You are our Rock, Our water in the midst of the desert.
Even when we wander in thirst, You are there to give us life.
You are our Deliverer, Our fortress stands strong!
We are saved! Hallelujah!
We are saved!
In you alone we find our deliverance and honor!
Thank you, LORD!
What a mighty refuge you are.
Closing
Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.
Opening Prayer
People of God, prepare: God comes soon to the world he has made. Children of God, rejoice: Emmanuel is coming.
Scripture
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. -Psalms 25:5
Reflection
Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow in us patience. Cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light.
Scripture
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. -Psalms 25:5
Prayer
Father God, we rest in your holy presence.
We patiently wait for the promise of your chosen one.
While we wait, we know that you and you alone are our God.
You lead us, not to where we think we are needed, but where you know we are needed.
Provide us with opportunities to put more trust in you.
As we follow you, seek for your leadership, and place our faith in you, let us be willing to let go of the control we try to take for ourselves.
We trust that you have all our best in your heart and that you guide our footsteps in the way of righteousness.
As we wait for our Lord, let us be mindful of who we are in you.
We are your people. Give us strength as we strive to be set apart for you Lord.
We love you and we wait for you Father.
Closing
Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.
Opening Prayer
People of God, prepare: God comes soon to the world he has made. Children of God, rejoice: Emmanuel is coming.
Scripture
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. -Micah 7:7
Reflection
Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow in us patience. Cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light.
Scripture
But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. -Micah 7:7
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank you for being a God who hears our prayers.
You go before us in all things.
You are moved to action by our suffering and you are with us in the waiting.
Your word says your ear is attentive to our prayers.
You delight in having us come to you as we seek to know you more.
Father may we come to you in all things, with all things knowing how deeply you long for relationship with us and us realizing how great our need is for you.
Thank you for being a God who sees us and loves us despite all our sin.
May we come to you first God and wait in expectation of what you can and will do. Teach us to surrender father.
Let us stand in awe of who you are, trusting you every step of the way even when we can't understand.
In Psalm 5:3 your word says, "Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.
In the morning I lay it all out before you. Then I wait expectantly." May you be glorified in our waiting.
Closing
Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.
Opening Prayer
People of God, prepare: God comes soon to the world he has made. Children of God, rejoice: Emmanuel is coming.
Scripture
I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. -Psalms 69:3
Reflection
Holy Spirit, kindle the flame of our faith. Grow in us patience. Cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light.
Scripture
I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. -Psalms 69:3
Prayer
Lord Jesus, lifting the burdens of our hearts, we wait for you.
We acknowledge we do not always look at our struggles from your perspective.
We wait for your words to reveal truths that we cannot presently see. We believe that these truths are more valuable than the quick rescue we long for.
We wait through the time it takes for you to change our perspective to see things like you do.
We humble our hearts, we speak to our souls, and remind our minds that you are at work in the places of chaos, grief, loss, and pain.
We remind ourselves that because you walked through the valley of the shadow of death before us, we fear no evil. Christ, we remember that you know what it means to feel forsaken by God and man.
We believe in faith that we will have what we need each day even when it does not feel like it. We believe that one day we will see how You sustained us, even though we cannot see it yet. We accept that true change often takes time. We commit our souls to a faithful creator, and wait for you.
Closing
Behold we are the servants of the Lord. Let it be to us according to your word. May we rest in the peace that the darkness can never extinguish the light that has been given to us.