November 27,2022
First Sunday of Advent
The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.

CONFESSION

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be God’s name forever.
Amen.

Beloved, now is the time to wake from sleep.

Let us confront our sins,
and confess them to the one who is merciful and just.

Silence is kept for reflection.

God of new beginnings,
we confess that we have not welcomed your holy reign.
We have strayed from your paths.
We prepare for war instead of peace.
We dishonor one another and your creation.
Purify us with your refining fire
and set us again on your way of love,
that we may bear fruit worthy of repentance,
and welcome your coming among us.
Amen.
People of God,
a new thing is growing in our midst,
a tender branch,
a living sign.
By water and the Spirit you are joined to this wonder.
You have put on ☩ Christ,
and your sins have been washed away.
Rejoice in the way of the Lord.
Amen.

Processional 

ELW 438- My Lord, What a Morning (vs. 1 & 3)

APOSTOLIC GREETING

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

WORD
God speaks to us in reading, preaching and song.

Scripture Reading Isaiah 2:1-5  

1The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

 2In days to come
  the mountain of the Lord’s house
 shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
  and shall be raised above the hills;
 all the nations shall stream to it.
  3Many peoples shall come and say,
 “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
  to the house of the God of Jacob;
 that he may teach us his ways
  and that we may walk in his paths.”
 For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,
  and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
 4He shall judge between the nations,
  and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
 they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
  and their spears into pruning hooks;
 nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
  neither shall they learn war any more.

 5O house of Jacob,
  come, let us walk
  in the light of the Lord!

P: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 122

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Ps. 122:1)
 1I was glad when they | said to me,
  “Let us go to the house | of the Lord.”
 2Now our | feet are standing
  within your gates, | O Jerusalem.
 3Jerusalem is built | as a city
  that is at unity | with itself;
 4to which the tribes go up, the tribes | of the Lord,
  the assembly of Israel, to praise the name | of the Lord. R
 5For there are the | thrones of judgment,
  the thrones of the | house of David.
 6Pray for the peace | of Jerusalem:
  “May they pros- | per who love you.
 7Peace be with- | in your walls
  and quietness with- | in your towers.
 8For the sake of my kindred | and companions,
  I pray for | your prosperity.
 9Because of the house of the | Lord our God,
  I will seek to | do you good.” R
Scripture Reading Romans 13:11-14
11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
P: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia

Gospel Reading Matthew 24:36-44
The gospel is introduced:.
P: The holy gospel according to Matthew the 24th Chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord

[Jesus said to the disciples,] 36“About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”

P: The gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
P: Alleluia. Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Please be seated.

The Sermon      

The Hymn of the Day

ELW 244- Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (vs. 1 & 4)

 

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.

A brief silence.

God of all, your children everywhere cry out for mercy. Awaken the global church to the urgent needs of our time. Break down barriers of culture and custom and unite people of all faiths in your redemptive and healing work. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of wonder, the earth’s beauty and abundance is your gift. Teach us your ways of sharing resources and caring for life. Guard fragile habitats, preserve the wild places, and protect endangered plants and animals. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of peace, you judge the nations. Beat our weapons into tools for serving the neighbor. Strengthen the resolve of all who work for an end to war. We pray for lasting peace in the land of Jesus’ birth (other places of conflict may be named). God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of lovingkindness, you desire fullness of life for everyone. Fill those who hunger. Comfort the grieving and attend to those near death. Bring help and hope to any who are sick or needing your care (especially). God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of community, you are present when we gather in your name. Guide congregations in transition or conflict (especially). Give wisdom to congregational councils, call committees, and ministry leaders. Keep us alert to unexpected opportunities for mission. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

God of promise, your goodness is everlasting. We give thanks for the lives of the faithful who now rest in you. We trust that you will bring us into the company of all the saints with rejoicing. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
The Passing of Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.

Presentation of the Gifts

OFFERTORY

ELW 294- In the Bleak Midwinter (vs. 3)

MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.


Offertory Prayer

Eternal God,
you make the desert bloom
and send springs of water to thirsty ground.
Receive these simple gifts of bread, wine, and money,
and make us messengers of your mercy and love
for all in need of your healing and justice.
We ask this through Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Great Thanksgiving


Proper Preface
P: 

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. Fulfilling the promise of the resurrection, you pour out the fire of your Spirit, uniting in one body people of every nation and tongue.

And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures,
and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Thanksgiving at the Table and Words of Institution

Holy God, the Beginning and the End, our Salvation and our Hope, we praise you for creating a world of order and beauty.

 

When we brought on chaos, cruelty and despair, you sent the prophets to proclaim your justice and mercy. At this end of the ages your Son Jesus came to bring us your love and to heal all the suffering world.

 

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

Remembering, therefore, his life, death, and resurrection, we await his coming again in righteousness and peace.

 

Send your Spirit on us and on this bread and wine we share: strengthen our faith, increase our hope, and bring to birth the justice and joy of your Son.

 

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father,

with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.
C: 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.

Invitation to Communion
Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God, who has come to save you.

Here at St. John’s all who believe in the love of God and in Jesus are welcome to the table. 

Communion Song

ELW 247- Come Now, O Prince of Peace

ELW 260- The King Shall Come

ELW 801- Change my Heart, O God

Post-Communion Blessing
P: May the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. 
C: Amen.

Post Communion Canticle

ELW 250- Blessed Be the God of Israel (vs. 3)

Prayer after Communion

Faithful God,
in this meal you have remembered your mercy,
bringing heaven to earth in the body and blood of Christ.
As we wait for the day when all your promises will be fulfilled,
sustain us and strengthen us by this holy mystery.
Guide us toward your promised future,
coming to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

The Blessing

God the eternal Word,
who dwells with us in Jesus,
and who holds us in the grace of the Holy Spirit,
☩ bless you now and forever.
Amen.

Closing Hymn

ELW 246- Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding (vs. 1, 3 & 5)

The Dismissal

Go in peace. Christ is near.
Thanks be to God.

 



Photo by Erika Giraud on Unsplash