{"id":2811,"date":"2020-12-06T12:24:35","date_gmt":"2020-12-06T18:24:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/?p=2811"},"modified":"2020-12-06T12:24:35","modified_gmt":"2020-12-06T18:24:35","slug":"second-sunday-of-advent-6-december-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/?p=2811","title":{"rendered":"Second Sunday of Advent: 6 December 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Grace to you, siblings in Christ
I pray this service finds you joyful, well and safe.I apologize for not being able to include the words with the music this week, but the words are included below.
Peace, Pastor Chris Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Sunday of Advent: Order of Service, December 6, 2020<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prelude:<\/strong> ELW 245- “Creator of the Stars of Night.” Vocalists with hand chimes: Brittany and Miriam Anderson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meditation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

John calls people to repent, to clear the decks, to completely reorder their lives so that nothing gets in the way of the Lord\u2019s coming. The reading from Isaiah gives the context for this radical call: the assurance of forgiveness that encourages us to repent; the promise that the coming one will be gentle with the little ones. Isaiah calls us all to be heralds with John, to lift up our voices fearlessly and say, \u201cSee, your God is coming!\u201d We say it to one another in worship, in order to say it with our lives in a world in need of justice and peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confession and Forgiveness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blessed be God, Father, \u2629 Son, and Holy Spirit, whose forgiveness is sure and whose steadfast love endures forever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together let us honestly and humbly confess that we have not lived as God desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loving and forgiving God,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

we confess that we are held captive by sin. In spite of our best efforts, we have gone astray. We have not welcomed the stranger; we have not loved our neighbor; we have not been Christ to one another. Restore us, O God. Wake us up and turn us from our sin. Renew us each day in the light of Christ. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

People of God, hear this glad news: by God\u2019s endless grace your sins are forgiven, and you are free\u2014 free from all that holds you back and free to live in the peaceable realm of God. May you be strengthened in God\u2019s love, \u2629 comforted by Christ\u2019s peace, and accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening Hymn: <\/strong>ELW 254- “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” both verses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus ELW 254<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1      Come, thou long-expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        from our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in thee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        dear desire of ev’ry nation, joy of ev’ry longing heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2      Born thy people to deliver, born a child, and yet a king;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        By thine own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        by thine all-sufficient merit raise us to thy glorious throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer of the Day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In grand, flowing, poetic lines, the prophet announces that the exile of God\u2019s people in Babylon is over. God will deliver Israel and will care for her as a shepherd cares for the sheep. This word can be trusted, because the only enduring reality in life is the word of God.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u20031<\/sup>Comfort, O comfort my people,
\u2003\u2003says your God.
\u20032<\/sup>Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
\u2003\u2003and cry to her
\u2003that she has served her term,
\u2003\u2003that her penalty is paid,
\u2003that she has received from the Lord\u2019s hand
\u2003\u2003double for all her sins.

\u20033<\/sup>A voice cries out:
\u2003\u201cIn the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
\u2003\u2003make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
\u20034<\/sup>Every valley shall be lifted up,
\u2003\u2003and every mountain and hill be made low;
\u2003the uneven ground shall become level,
\u2003\u2003and the rough places a plain.
\u20035<\/sup>Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
\u2003\u2003and all people shall see it together,
\u2003\u2003for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.\u201d

\u20036<\/sup>A voice says, \u201cCry out!\u201d
\u2003\u2003And I said, \u201cWhat shall I cry?\u201d
\u2003All people are grass,
\u2003\u2003their constancy is like the flower of the field.
\u20037<\/sup>The grass withers, the flower fades,
\u2003\u2003when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
\u2003\u2003surely the people are grass.
\u20038<\/sup>The grass withers, the flower fades;
\u2003\u2003but the word of our God will stand forever.
\u20039<\/sup>Get you up to a high mountain,
\u2003\u2003O Zion, herald of good tidings;
\u2003lift up your voice with strength,
\u2003\u2003O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
\u2003\u2003lift it up, do not fear;
\u2003say to the cities of Judah,
\u2003\u2003\u201cHere is your God!\u201d
\u200310<\/sup>See, the Lord God comes with might,
\u2003\u2003and his arm rules for him;
\u2003his reward is with him,
\u2003\u2003and his recompense before him.
\u200311<\/sup>He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
\u2003\u2003he will gather the lambs in his arms,
\u2003and carry them in his bosom,
\u2003\u2003and gently lead the mother sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm: Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u20031<\/sup>You have been gracious to your land, O Lord;
\u2003\u2003you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
\u20032<\/sup>You have forgiven the iniquity of your people<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003and blotted out all their sins.<\/strong>
\u20038<\/sup>I will listen to what the Lord God is saying;
\u2003\u2003for you speak peace to your faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to you.
\u20039<\/sup>Truly, your salvation is very near to those who fear you,<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003that your glory may dwell in our land.<\/strong> 
\u200310<\/sup>Steadfast love and faithfulness have met together;
\u2003\u2003righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
\u200311<\/sup>Faithfulness shall spring up from the earth,<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003and righteousness shall look down from heaven.<\/strong>
\u200312<\/sup>The Lord will indeed grant prosperity,
\u2003\u2003and our land will yield its increase.
\u200313<\/sup>Righteousness shall go before the Lord<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003and shall prepare for God a pathway.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This short letter deals with pressing concerns regarding the final advent of Jesus, especially concerns that could arise over its apparent delay. The author of the letter calls on Christians to anticipate the promised coming of the Lord through conduct dedicated to God.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8<\/sup>Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. 9<\/sup>The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. 10<\/sup>But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.
\u2003 11<\/sup>Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, 12<\/sup>waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? 13<\/sup>But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

\u2003 14<\/sup>Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; 15a<\/sup>and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gospel: Mark 1:1-8<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Gospel of Mark does not begin with a story of Jesus\u2019 birth but with the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/sup>The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
\u2003 2<\/sup>As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
\u2003\u201cSee, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
\u2003\u2003who will prepare your way;
\u20033<\/sup>the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
\u2003\u2003\u2018Prepare the way of the Lord,
\u2003\u2003make his paths straight,\u2019\u2006\u201d
4<\/sup>John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5<\/sup>And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6<\/sup>Now John was clothed with camel\u2019s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7<\/sup>He proclaimed, \u201cThe one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8<\/sup>I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sermon: <\/strong>Pastor Chris Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hymn of the Day:<\/strong> ELW 266- “All Earth is Hopeful,” (Toda la Tierra<\/em>) verses 1, 2, & 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Earth Is Hopeful ELW 266<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1      All earth is hopeful, the Savior comes at last!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Furrows lie open for God’s creative task:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        this, the labor of people who struggle to see<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        how God’s truth and justice set ev’rybody free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2      People of Israel, you heard the prophet tell:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        “A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel”;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        she conceived him, “God with us,”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

our brother, whose birth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        restores hope and courage to children of this earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4      We first saw Jesus a baby in a crib.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This same Lord Jesus today has come to live<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        in our world; he is present, in neighbors we see<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        our Jesus is with us, and ever sets us free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayers of Intercession<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

God of power and might, comfort your people and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faithful God, you teach us to wait for you with faithfulness and patience. Sustain and support us in our doubts and questions. Nurture our faith as we discern and enact your mission. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Loving God, you set the stars in the sky and breathe life into the earth. Renew the face of creation where it is in need of your healing touch. Mend the wounds of environmental damage and restore balance to ecosystems so that all creation can declare your praise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steadfast God, you never tire of seeking justice. Where people suffer from discrimination, judgment, and injustice, speak words of truth and comfort. Lead us toward a world where faithfulness will sprout underfoot and righteousness rain down from above. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading God, you ask us to make uneven ground smooth. Make even the disparities between your people. Sustain and support people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Accompany disability advocates who work for a world accessible to all. Teach us to celebrate the great diversity in our midst. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tender God, you know sorrow and joy alike. We pray for those in our families and congregation who are not joyful in this holiday season. Comfort those who grieve, be a companion to all who are lonely, tend those who are sick or struggling with depression, and gather all people in your healing embrace. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord of every blessing, your Son\u2019s blessing came to those living with poverty, grief, hunger, thirst, and persecution. Shape our vision of the saints to match his own. Awaken in us your call to serve all who suffer. Especially this day we pray for Woody Kasselman; Luellen Kasselman; Greg, Judy and Kristine Mayer; Mariah Pearson; Jeanna LaRue; Louise Larson; Karen Bemowski; and Dan Wolever. Hear us, O God.  Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eternal God, we give thanks for the saints who have prepared your way in the wilderness and taught us to continue their faithful work, especially Nicholas of Myra. Make their generous lives an example for all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord’s Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communion Anthem:<\/strong> “On Jordan’s Banks,”- George. Vocalists: Brittany and Miriam Anderson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Jordan\u2019s Banks (COMMUNION)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1         On Jordan\u2019s banks the Baptist\u2019s cry<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Announces that the Lord is nigh:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awake and hearken, for he brings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

glad tidings of the King of kings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2         Then cleansed be every breast from sin<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make straight the way for God within;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And let us all our hearts prepare<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Christ to come and enter there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3         For thou art our salvation, Lord<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our refuge and our great reward;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once more upon thy people shine,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And fill the world with love divine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4         All praise, eternal Son, to thee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whose advent sets thy people free,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Whom with the Father we adore,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        And Holy Ghost for evermore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer after Communion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gracious and abundant God, you have done great things for us, and we rejoice. In this bread and cup you give us life forever. In your boundless mercy, strengthen us and open our hearts to the world\u2019s needs, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting, the long-expected Savior fill you with love, the unexpected Spirit guide your journey, \u2629 now and forever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sending Hymn:<\/strong> ELW 253- “He Came Down,” verses 1 & 3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He Came Down ELW253<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

1      He came down that we may have love;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        he came down that we may have love;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        he came down that we may have love;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        hallelujah forevermore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3      He came down that we may have peace;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        he came down that we may have peace;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        he came down that we may have peace;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        hallelujah forevermore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dismissal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks be to God.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/190629367619921\/videos\/1218127661922939<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image credits:<\/strong> Prepare_the_Way, Franciscans.org.uk; Waitforit maccov.org; and King is Coming– Prepare the Way, Sharefaith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music credits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music Director:<\/strong> Pam Edwards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vocalists:<\/strong> Brittany & Miriam Anderson<\/p>\n\n\n\n


“Creator of the Stars of Night.” Text: Latin hymn, 9th cent.; tr. Hymnal 1940<\/em>, alt. Music: Plainsong mode IV. Text copyright Church Pension Fund. All rights reserved. Permission to print and podcast\/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” Text: Charles Wesley, 1701 – 1788. Music: W. Walker, Southern Harmony<\/em>, 1835. All rights reserved. Permission to print and podcast\/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


“All Earth is Hopeful” (Toda la Tierra<\/em>). Text: Alberto Taule, b. 1932; tr. Madeleine Forell Marshall, b. 1946. Music: Alberto Taule. Spanish text and tune copyright 1993 and tr. copyright 1995 Centro de Pastoral Liturgica, admin. OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Permission to print and podcast\/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


“On Jordan’s Banks.” SA, arr. Graham George\/ Augsburg Publishing House, #ACL 1551. All rights reserved. Permission to print and podcast\/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“He Came Down.” Text: Cameroon traditional. Music: Cameroon traditional; arr. John L. Bell, b. 1949. Arr. copyright 1986 Iona Community, admin. GIA Publications, Inc.. All rights reserved. Permission to print and podcast\/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Grace to you, siblings in ChristI pray this service finds you joyful, well and safe.I apologize for not being able to include the words with the music this week, but the words are included below.Peace, Pastor Chris Lee Second Sunday of Advent: Order of Service, December 6, 2020 Prelude: ELW 245- “Creator of the Stars … [Read more…]<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"entry","1":"post","2":"publish","3":"author-flcadmin","4":"post-2811","6":"format-standard","7":"category-uncategorized"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2811"}],"version-history":[{"count":59,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2897,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2811\/revisions\/2897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}