December 1, 2024 – First Sunday of Advent
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.
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL Emmanuel, Emmanuel Redeemer Choir
GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP I Wonder as I Wander Lynn Barrett
Redeemer’s Mission is to Grow in Faith.
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, alive in the world, reviving creation, arriving soon.
C: Amen.
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: God of mercy,
C: we confess that we have sinned. We trust earthly powers and human authority alone. We grow fearful. We cling to false comforts.
P: God of might,
C: we confess that we have sinned. We have turned away from our neighbors. We have trusted false promises.
P: God in our midst,
C: we confess that we have sinned. We plead: come to us. Bring your mercy to birth in us.
P: A righteous branch springs forth: it is Christ the Lord, our Savior, in whom we have forgiveness, life, and mercy. By the power of the Holy Spirit, receive the grace and forgiveness of God through Christ Jesus, whose day draws near.
C: Amen.
GATHERING CAROL Rejoice, Rejoice Believers ELW 244
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING CEREMONY
The purpose of the Advent Candle Lighting Ceremony is to recapture the wonder of Christ’s coming and the joy of Christ’s presence.
P: For those of us facing difficult challenges
C: Ignite our hearts with hope.
P: For the end of wars wreaking havoc and pain in our world
C: Ignite our hearts with hope.
P: For safety for those fleeing the tyranny of oppression
C: Ignite our hearts with hope.
P: For the light of forgiveness to shine in our hearts
C: Ignite our hearts with hope.
CANDLE LIGHTING
Our Advent journey begins today with the lighting of the first candle, the candle of Hope. Like the flame of the candle, may hope be ignited in our hearts, reminding us that brighter days are ahead.
ADVENT PRAYER
Gracious Creator, in moments of uncertainty, we turn to you with hearts heavy but hopeful. Grant us the strength to navigate challenges, the wisdom to see possibilities, and the courage to embrace the journey ahead. May hope be our guiding light, leading us to a future filled with grace, love, and possibilities beyond our imagining. Amen.
Redeemer’s Mission is to Proclaim Jesus Christ.
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching and song
from the Old Testament, Psalms, and the New Testament.
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.
14 The 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. 15 In 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. 16 In 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 reader concludes: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
PSALM (read responsibly) Psalm 25:1-10
1 To you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
2 My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 Let none who look to you be put to shame;
rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous.
4 Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.
5 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.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,
for they are from everlasting.
7 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.
8 You are gracious and upright, O Lord;
therefore you teach sinners in your way.
9 You lead the lowly in justice
and teach the lowly your way.
10 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.
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.
11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And 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 reader concludes: The Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Celtic Alleluia ELW 174
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twenty first chapter.
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. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven 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, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be 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.”
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
MESSAGE David Allman, Pastor
CAROL OF THE DAY Waken, O Sleeper Sheet
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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.
Redeemer’s Mission is to Love All People.
Prayers on behalf of others
As we prepare for Emmanuel, God-with-us, let us pray for all people and places that long for God’s presence.
A brief silence.
God of righteousness, your people live in hopeful expectation of your coming. Fill your church with renewed passion for our shared mission, and deepen our relationships with other Christians and other faith traditions in our local community and across the world. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
God of the cosmos, all creation shows that your presence is near. Help us sense your goodness and love in the sun and moon, in sprouting leaves and bare branches, in the roaring sea and quiet breeze. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
God of the nations, your reign extends over all principalities and powers. Give leaders and all in authority hearts for justice and peace. Encourage efforts to enact policies that benefit the common good. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
God of change, you accompany us through life’s transitions. Be near to all who are changing jobs, moving, welcoming children, or facing the loss of loved ones. Sustain those who are ill or suffering. In times of change, remind us of your steadfast love. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
God of community, your Spirit holds us together. Sustain our care for one another. Inspire us to seek new ways to live together and to embrace the diversity of thought and identity in our communities. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of memory, we give you thanks for faithful ones who have died. Tend to our grief and sorrow with renewed trust in your promise of abundant and eternal life. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
God of healing, we pray for those of our congregation who may be suffering physically, emotionally or spiritually. Please bring healing, peace and comfort to all those that we name in our hearts and minds. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
God of all, we pray that you keep our first responders and military personnel safe, whether they are at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us. Hear us, O God. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.
P: Savior of the nations, come, and receive these prayers and the pleas of our hearts, in the name of Jesus Christ.
C: Amen.
OFFERING
Please join in singing the offertory response.
OFFERTORY RESPONSE – Create In Me a Clean Heart
OFFERING PRAYER
P: Creator God, you made the whole world, even the farthest stars, and you draw near to feed us. We praise you for these gifts of bread and wine. Strengthen us with this food that we may live in expectation for the advent of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Meal
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ. All baptized Christians are invited to receive Holy Communion.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Speak to us, O Lord, in the breaking of the bread, and make us one with you.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
P: 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 in 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 in remembrance of me.
THE 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.
Please be seated.
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
SENDING OF COMMUNION
P: O God of tender compassion, as you healed the sick and welcomed the stranger, bless those who leave this assembly to share the gifts of
this table with our sisters and brothers who are sick, homebound, or imprisoned. May they be sustained by the love and prayers of this community, and by the Bread of life that satisfies all hunger, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
BENEDICTION
P: The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us. The Lord look on us with favor and give us peace. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C: Choral Amen.
SENDING CAROL People, Look East ELW 248
Redeemer’s Mission is to Proclaim Jesus Christ.
P: Go in peace. Prepare the way for Emmanuel.
C: Thanks be to God.