Virtual Worship for November 28, 2021
First Sunday of Advent
Worship at 9:00 a.m.
The congregation reads the boldface responses.
Once the prelude has begun, please cease all conversation
as we prepare our hearts and minds for worship.
PRELUDE
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - John Stainer
GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
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.
Please stand as you are able.
GATHERING HYMN
Rejoice, Rejoice Believers (LBW 25)
1. Rejoice, rejoice, believers,
and let your lights appear;
the evening is advancing,
and darker night is near.
The bridegroom is arising
and soon is drawing nigh.
Up, pray and watch and wrestle;
at midnight comes the cry.
2. The watchers on the mountain
proclaim the bridegroom near;
go forth as he approaches
with alleluias clear.
The marriage feast is waiting;
the gates wide open stand.
Arise, O heirs of glory;
the bridegroom is at hand.
3. The saints, who here in patience
their cross and suff'rings bore,
shall live and reign forever
when sorrow is no more.
Around the throne of glory
the Lamb they shall behold;
in triumph cast before him
their diadems of gold.
4. Our hope and expectation,
O Jesus, now appear;
arise, O Sun so longed for,
o'er this benighted sphere.
With hearts and hands uplifted,
we plead, O Lord, to see
the day of earth's redemption
that sets your people free!
Text: Laurentius Laurenti, 1660-1722; tr. Sarah B. Findlater, 1823-1907
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
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.
Silence is kept for reflection.
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.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
The candles of the Advent wreath are violet or blue, the color of royalty, and the color of humility and penitence.
The mood is set for the coming of the King, the one who will heal and save.
The first candle of Advent is often called the Prophecy candle, announcing a period of waiting. Hear the words of Isaiah 9:2: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness--on them has light shined.
A glimmer of light, shining through untold ages, illuminates our path toward Bethlehem.
Trembling as it flickers, it is the light of hope--sparked by words of the prophets, tended and fanned into flame by all of God’s faithful.
We dare to hope as we follow its light!
Let us pray together:
O God, in the darkness we light a flame of hope.
Allow it to dance not only upon our
advent wreath, but within each of our
hearts as well. With joy, we keep the
tradition of ages past as we encircle our
advent wreath with love and prayerful
expectation. May this advent season bring
us a new birth of hope in the ancient
promises of God. Amen.
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
embracing all things far and nigh:
in strength and beauty come and stay;
teach us your will and guide our way. Refrain.
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
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.
A PRAYER FOR THE CALL COMMITTEE
Dear God, We thank you for your continued guidance as we look for the next pastor to lead, inspire, and help our church grow. We ask that you bless our call committee. Keep their hearts open and their eyes looking to you, so that you may direct all that they do towards the vision and plan you have for us. Again, we thank you Lord for all your blessings of wisdom, knowledge, and strength during this time of transition and your plentiful blessings unbeknown to us in the future. We pray this in your name. Amen.
Please be seated.
A LITANY OF WELCOME FOR ADRIANA SAMARGIA PRESTER
Worship & Music Chair: A church family is constantly changing as individuals come and go in our church life. It is important and right that we recognize these times of passage, of endings and beginnings. Today we share this time of welcome with Adriana Samargia Prester, whose time as our Music Director begins. Adriana, in the presence of this congregation, will you commit yourself to this new trust and responsibility, and promise to discharge your duties in harmony with the constitutions of the church?
Adriana: I will and I ask God to help me.
Worship & Music Chair: Will you love and serve these people of God, nourishing them with music through traditional & contemporary songs, and teach us new songs along the way?
Adriana: I will and I ask God to help me.
Worship & Music Chair: Will you lead the musicians within our congregation, cultivating their talents and providing opportunities to share their talents with our congregation through worship and other events?
Adriana: I will and I ask God to help me.
Pastor Brown: Almighty God, who has given you the will to do these things, give you the power of his Spirit so that you may perform them with strength and compassion.
Congregation: Amen.
Pastor Brown: I ask all of you, people of this congregation, will you receive this messenger of Christ, Adriana, who continues the work of bringing music into our lives? Will you regard her as a fellow servant of Christ and work with her in the ministry of this congregation?
Congregation: We will and we ask God to help us.
Pastor Brown: Will you pray for her, our musicians and choirs as we strive to grow and enhance our music program?
Congregation: We will and we ask God to help us.
Pastor Brown: Adriana, by your statements of commitment and the affirmation of this congregation, we welcome you as the Music Director of this congregation in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
WORD
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.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALMODY
Psalm 25:1-10
(Read responsively.)
To you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
Let none who look to you be put to shame;
rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous.
Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,
for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;
remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
You are gracious and upright, O Lord;
therefore you teach sinners in your way.
You lead the lowly in justice
and teach the lowly your way.
All your paths, O Lord, are steadfast love and faithfulness
to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies.
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.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL
Luke 21:25-36
The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[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.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
SERMON
Thanking God, Being Ready, and Being Holy
Pastor Brown
Please stand as you are able.
HYMN OF THE DAY
How Great Thou Art (LBW 532)
1. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed;
Refrain
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art! How great thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee,
how great thou art! How great thou art!
2. When through the woods and forest glades I wander,
I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; Refrain\
3. But when I think that God, his Son not sparing,
sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,
that on the cross my burden gladly bearing
he bled and died to take away my sin; Refrain
4. When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
and there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!” Refrain
Text: Carl G. Boberg, 1859-1940; tr. and adapt. Stuart K. Hine, 1899-1989.
Text © 1953 S.K. Hine, assigned to Manna Music, Inc., 35255 Brooten Road, Pacific City, OR 97135 (ASCAP).
Renewed 1981. All rights reserved. (ASCAP)
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
In this season of watching and waiting, let us pray for all people and places that yearn for God’s presence.
A brief silence.
The response to “Lord, in your mercy,” is “hear our prayer.”
The prayers conclude:
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.
Please be seated.
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
O Come O Come Emmanuel- Hal H. Hopson
Virtual Bell Choir
Please stand as you are able.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of our waiting and watching,
we offer the gifts of our hearts and our lives
to the service of all your people.
Prepare the way before us
as we meet you in this simple meal,
through Christ Jesus, our pathway and our peace.
Amen.
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 and ever. Amen.
SENDING
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
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (LBW 543)
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
Let all who hear now to his temple draw near,
joining in glad adoration!
2. Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things is wondrously reigning
and, as on wings of an eagle, uplifting, sustaining.
Have you not seen all that is needful has been
sent by his gracious ordaining?
3. Praise to the Lord, who will prosper your work and defend you;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
if with his love he befriend you.
4. Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from his people again.
Gladly forever adore him!
Text: Joachim Neander, 1650-1680; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Christ is near.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
People Look East - Eleanor Farjeon
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB125183.
Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-738200. All rights reserved.
Permission to reprint, podcast, and / or stream the music in this service obtained from CCLI with licenses #2332347and #20946066 . All rights reserved.”