Happy Advent to you!
Our thanks to the handbells for the Prelude of ELW # 243 Lost in the Night. And…what fun to sing a new (to us) song, Keep your Lamps Trimmed & Burning, from the new ELCA hymnal, All Creation Sings, as our sending hymn!
Blessings to you as we enter this season of watching and waiting for the Advent of our God.
Peace,
Pastor Chris Lee
Order of Worship for the First Sunday of Advent, November 28, 2021:
Prelude: ELW 243- “Lost in the Night.” Bell Trio : Nena Myers, Mike and Rhonda McCalester.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Meditation
Advent is about the “coming days.” God’s people have always lived in great expectation, but that expectation finds specific, repeated enunciation in the texts appointed for these four weeks. The ancients anticipated a “righteous Branch to spring up for David.” The Thessalonians awaited “the coming of our Lord Jesus with all the saints.” Jesus’ contemporaries hoped for the time “to stand before the Son of Man.” With them we eagerly await the coming days: another Christmas celebration, a second coming, and the advent of Christ in word and supper.
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who alone does wonders, who lifts up the lowly, who fills the hungry with good things.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin, trusting in the tender mercy of our God.
God for whom we wait,
in the presence of one another, we confess our sin before you. We fail in believing that your good news is for us. We falter in our call to tend your creation. We find our sense of self in material wealth. We fear those different from ourselves. We forget that we are your children and turn away from your love. Forgive us, Blessed One, and assure us again of your saving grace.
Amen.
God, in Christ Jesus, has looked with favor upon you! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, ☩ your sins are forgiven. You are children of the Most High, inheritors of the eternal promise, and recipients of divine mercy. God strengthens you anew to follow the way of peace.
Amen.
Opening hymn: ELW 244- “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers,” all verses.
Prayer of the Day
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath Candles: ELW 240- “Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah,” first verse.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath Candles
First Sunday of Advent
We praise you, O God, for this evergreen crown that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent. As we light the first candle on this wreath, rouse us from sleep, that we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes with all the saints and angels. Enlighten us with your grace, and prepare our hearts to welcome him with joy. Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws near.
Amen
Light the first candle
First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
In the Old Testament, “righteousness” often has to do with being faithful in relationship. God acts righteously both in punishing Israel for its sin and in having mercy. In today’s reading, Jerusalem’s future name—“The Lord is our righteousness”—proclaims that God is even now working salvation for Israel.
14The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Upon Timothy’s report from the congregation at Thessalonica, Paul is exuberant with gratitude for them. In this passage from his letter, Paul voices overflowing thanks, joy, and blessings for the people of this growing church.
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Gospel: Luke 21:25-36
God will fulfill God’s purposes and, already, hidden signs of that fulfillment abound. On that great day there will be dismay, perplexity, confusion, and terror, but God’s people shall be given strength to stand boldly and receive God’s promised redemption.
Jesus said: 25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
34“Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Sermon: Pastor Chris Lee
Hymn of the Day: ELW 435- “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending,” all verses.
Prayers of Intercession
In this season of watching and waiting, let us pray for all people and places that yearn for God’s presence.
God of presence and peace, strengthen your church around the globe to proclaim the message of your love coming to the world. Open our hearts to recognize your face in all people and in all of creation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of mighty redwoods and microscopic plants, fields and city parks, the wind and the waves, be a healing balm to our wounded planet. May we nurture what you have lovingly created. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of equity and compassion, bring righteousness and goodness to all peoples of the earth. Give a heart of discernment and integrity to leaders in our communities, especially mayors, city council members, and community aldermen of the Quad-Cities area. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of comfort and care, be present with those who watch and wait. Come to all who await births, deaths, divorces, new unions, new jobs, retirements, healing, and life transitions of every kind especially, Paige Wheeler; Julie Prenatt; David Neu; Sheri Stoutt; Nan Hibbs; Britta Maddox; Rose Reasor; Everett Noah; Libby Hofsas; Noah Stoutt; Shelley Collis; Barb Martin; Deb Schafer; Richard Hotchkiss; Nancy and Bob Bosco; Charysse and Adean Heritage and Family; Randy McIntyre; Karen Bemowski; Marilyn Hubbard; Helen Schubert, and Betty and all those we name before you aloud or in our hearts. Give them tangible signs of your steadfast love. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of promises kept and new dreams awakened, shelter your people from destructive storms. We pray for those whose lives have been upended by natural disasters, for the work of Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, and other relief organizations. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of companionship and community, we give you thanks for the saints who journeyed with us and now abide in you especially Blake Wheeler; Baby Wheeler; Eugene William Eiklor; Mary Allen; Marijane Cook and their families. Even in distress and uncertainty, make us confident that your promises endure forever. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of new life, you come among us in the places we least expect. Receive these prayers and those of our hearts, in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Peace
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion: ELW 438- “My Lord, What a Morning.
Communion: ELW 706- “The People Walk.” (Un Pueblo que Camina)
Prayer after Communion
Most High God, you have come among us at this table. By the Spirit’s power, form us to be bearers of your word, sharing gifts of mercy and grace with all, through Christ Jesus, our host and our guest.
Amen.
Blessing
The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit, through Christ Jesus for whom we wait.
Amen.
Sending Hymn: ACS 949- “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning,” all verses.
Dismissal
Go in peace. Christ is near.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude: “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers,” by Paul Manz….One license #98465
Facebook link to First Sunday of Advent Worship Service, November 28, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/190629367619921/videos/259545799490000
Image credits: First Evangelical Lutheran Church Sanctuary; Hymnal Crosses, Trees, and Cradle; and Parish House piano at Christmastime. All photos: Pam Edwards.
Music credits:
Bell Trio : Nena Myers, Mike and Rhonda McCalester
Mike McCalester: Song Leader
Pam Edwards: Music Director/
“Lost in the Night.” Text: Nordic hymn; tr. Olav Lee, 1859 – 1943. Music: Finnish folk tune. Text copyright 1932 Augsburg Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers,” all verses. Text: Laurentius Laurenti, 1660 – 1722; tr. Sarah B. Findlater, 1823 – 1907. Music: Swedish folk tune. Public domain.
“Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah.” Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954. Music: Yiddish folk tune. Text copyright 1984 Fortress Press. Public domain.
“Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending.” Text: Charles Wesley, 1707 – 1788, alt.. Music: Thomas Olivers, 1725 – 1799. Public domain.
“My Lord, What a Morning. Text: African American spiritual. Music: African American spiritual. Public domain.
“The People Walk.” (Un Pueblo que Camina). Text: Juan A. Espinosa, b. 1940; tr. Martin A. Seltz, b. 1951. Music: Juan A. Espinoza. Text and music copyright 1972, 1998 Juan A. Espinosa, admin. OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning,” all verses. Text: African American spiritual. Music: African American spiritual; arr. hymnal version. Arr. copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. Public domain.
“Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers,” by Paul Manz. One license #98465. Words and Music – ©1990 MorningStar Music Publishers / Birnamwood Publications. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Reprinted/ streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006904. Duplication in any form is prohibited without permission or valid license from the copyright administrator.