Coldstream District Churches : Sunday Focus

Welcome to our Sunday Focus for the 2nd Sunday in Advent.

7th December 2025

Hymn - Hark The Glad Sound

2nd Advent

Hymn - Darkness Like A shroud

Lord Jesus, come afresh to bring peace to this world:
A world that is broken and bruised and needs to be made whole.
Light up the darkness by calming fear and suspicion
And inspire your people everywhere, to seek your peace.
May we let you lead us Lord Jesus, into truth
And find the courage to live honestly and kindly.
For your name’s sake. Amen

Video - Reflections on the second week of Advent.

Malachi 3:1-4

The Lord Almighty answers, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant.”

2 But who will be able to endure the day when he comes? Who will be able to survive when he appears? He will be like strong soap, like a fire that refines metal. 3 He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the Lord's messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the Lord the right kind of offerings. 4 Then the offerings which the people of Judah and Jerusalem bring to the Lord will be pleasing to him, as they used to be in the past.

Luke 3:1-6

It was the fifteenth year of the rule of Emperor Tiberius; Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip was ruler of the territory of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias was ruler of Abilene, 2 and Annas and Caiaphas were High Priests. At that time the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 So John went throughout the whole territory of the Jordan River, preaching, “Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins.” 4 As it is written in the book of the prophet Isaiah:“Someone is shouting in the desert:
    ‘Get the road ready for the Lord;
    make a straight path for him to travel!
5 Every valley must be filled up,
    every hill and mountain levelled off.
The winding roads must be made straight,
    and the rough paths made smooth.
6 The whole human race will see God's salvation!’'

Song- Glory (Let There Be Peace)

Hymn - On Jordan's Bank

"Peace be within you" the Psalmist says,
and so we pray, loving God, for peace in our hearts.
We name before You now prayers for ourselves, and for individuals known to us
who are anxious, ill, alone, afraid or hurting …

"Peace be within you" the Psalmist says,
and so we pray, Prince of Peace, for peace in our communities.
In the midst of political strife, social upheaval,
economic stress and neighbourhood arguments.
We name before you now those known to us
in our local communities who are hurting …

"Peace be within you" the Psalmist says,
and so we pray, Spirit of love, for peace in our world.
In the midst of war, angry words, broken homes we pray for all who live in fear.
We name before You now situations of war or aggression …

God of love, Prince of Peace, Holy Spirit –
we ask all these prayers in Your name,
and for the sake of our world, Your Creation.
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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever.

Amen.

Hymn- See Amid the Winter's Snow

Blessing
Now go in peace;
may this day unfold as it should;
may you find solace in scripture and spirit;
and may your journey through Advent
be filled with the hope and promise of God
for the sake of the world.
Amen