Announcements
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
whose home is heaven and earth,
whose salvation is sure.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God
and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Long-expected God,
we confess that we look to ourselves
for the peace and security only you can provide.
We reach for swords and spears,
reluctant to release our grip on the ways of war.
We become impatient while waiting
and weary of keeping awake.
Free us from self-reliance,
and teach us to live in harmony with our neighbors.
Increase our trust in God’s timing,
and awaken us to your advent among us,
that we may abound in the hope you have promised.
Amen.
God judges us not as we deserve,
but according to God’s own righteousness.
☩ You are freed and forgiven,
saved by grace,
and ready to welcome the Savior.
Amen.
Opening Hymn
ELW 438 - My Lord, What a Morning (vs. 1 & 3)
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 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.
Lightining of the Advent Wreath
ELW 240 - Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (vs. 1)
First Reading:Isaiah 2:1-5
1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In 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.
3 Many 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.
4 He 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.
5 O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 122
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Ps. 122:1)
1 I was glad when they | said to me,
“Let us go to the house | of the Lord.”
2 Now our | feet are standing
within your gates, | O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built | as a city
that is at unity | with itself;
4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes | of the Lord,
the assembly of Israel, to praise the name | of the Lord. R
5 For there are the | thrones of judgment,
the thrones of the | house of David.
6 Pray for the peace | of Jerusalem:
“May they pros- | per who love you.
7 Peace be with- | in your walls
and quietness with- | in your towers.
8 For the sake of my kindred | and companions,
I pray for | your prosperity.
9 Because of the house of the | Lord our God,
I will seek to | do you good.” R
Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
ELW Setting 8
Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44
This is the holy gospel according to Matthew the 24th chapter.
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. 37 For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in the days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39 and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so, too, will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two will be in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken, and one will be left. 42 Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But 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. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day
ELW 246 - Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding (vs. 1, 3, 5)
The Nicene Creed
Prayers of Intercession
In our waiting and watching, we come to you in prayer, O God, trusting your promise to renew the church, the nations, and the whole creation.
A brief silence.
God of the people, we come seeking wisdom and instruction. Uphold and strengthen lay leaders, teachers, deacons, pastors, and bishops. Teach us your ways and lead us in your paths. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God of the earth, we seek your goodness in the grandeur of creation. Empower us to care for forests and oceans, as we see you in the world around us. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God of the nations, grant wisdom to leaders, judges, and mediators. Cast out words of hate and transform them into words for building up community. Remake implements of war to sow peace. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God of healing, bring comfort and strength. We pray for our kindred and companions who are ill or despairing (especially . . . and those affected by HIV and AIDS as we remember World AIDS Day). Surround all with care and consolation. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
God of new possibilities, when addiction wounds, jealousy tears down, and relationships fray, show us how to journey with one another. Nurture therapists, counselors, and sponsors in their care for others. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of all time, build up our lives that we would reflect your grace. At the last, bring us with all the saints (especially) to your holy city where peace and goodness make a home. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Draw near to us, O God, as we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through Jesus Christ, Emmanuel.
Amen.
The Passing of Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
Anthem
Advent Joy (Nancy Gifford)
Offertory Hymn
ELW 257 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (vs. 1)
Offertory Prayer
Nourishing God,
you are water in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
Through this meal, satisfy our parched places,
that we may rejoice and be for the world
signs of your kingdom come.
Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
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:
WOV Setting 8
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory, full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Thanksgiving at the Table
Holy God, our Maker, Redeemer, and Healer, in the harmonious
world of your creation, the plants and animals, the seas and stars
were whole and well in your praise.
When sin had scarred the world, you sent your Son to heal our ills
and to form us again into one.
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 acts of healing, his body given up,
and his victory over death, we await that day when all the
peoples of the earth will come to the river to enjoy the tree of
life.
Send your Spirit upon us and this meal: as grains scattered on
the hillside become one bread, so let your Church be gathered
from the ends of the earth, that all may be fed with the Bread of
life, 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
Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hollowed by 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.
God feeds us with tender mercy.
Come to the table.
Lamb of God
ELW Setting 8
Communion Hymns
ELW 494 - For the Bread Which You Have Broken
ELW 496 - One Bread, One Body
ELW 801 - Change My Heart, O God
The Table Blessing
Here is life. God is with us.
Come, receive what God has promised.
Post Communion
ELW 250 - Blessed Be the God of Israel (vs. 3)
Prayer After Communion
God our host,
at this table you have fed us with joy and gladness.
Send us forth, eager to share the feast,
welcome the stranger,
and bear good fruit in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
Blessing
May God who comes among us,
Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,
grant you patience in waiting, peace in the darkness,
and good news to share today and always.
Amen.
Sending Hymn
ELW 244 - Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers (vs. 1 & 4)
Dismissal
Go in peace. Keep awake.
Thanks be to God.
Photo by Erika Giraud on Unsplash
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