+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
God of majesty and power, amid the clamor of our violence your Word of truth resounds;
upon a world made dark by sin the Sun of Justice casts his dawning rays.
Keep your household watchful and aware of the hour in which we live. Hasten the advent of that day when the sounds of war will be for ever stilled, the darkness of evil scattered, and all your children gathered into one.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
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“Wait For The Lord” – Taizé
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Intercession:
Almighty God: we await the coming of Your Son in glory to judge the living and the dead. Hear us now, and prepare us to welcome Him. We pray especially –
+ For the protection of those who are suffering dislocation and dispossession from war in Syria…. Lord, save them.
+ For the healing of those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit, feeling hopeless and alone….. Lord, comfort them.
+ For peace within the walls of Jerusalem, that all who love this city may prosper…. Lord, bless us.
+ For believers around the world, that we may be ready to meet Jesus when He returns…. Lord, awaken us.
+ For believers around the world, that we may love You, and love our neighbors…. Lord, help us….
Almighty God: You want what is best for Your people, hear our prayers and help us , through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Wake, Awake for Night is Flying” – Wartburg Choir
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Closing: (Romans 13:11.13)
“Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.
So… clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
Advent begins today. During the first part of the season, the Church focuses on the end of time, when Christ will come in glory.
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Rend the heavens and come down, O God of all the ages! Rouse us from sleep, deliver us from our heedless ways, and form us into a watchful people, that, at the advent of Your Son, He may find us doing what is right, mindful of all You command. Grant this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7 (NLT)
Surely you are still our Father! Even if Abraham and Jacob would disown us, Lord, you would still be our Father. You are our Redeemer from ages past. Lord, why have you allowed us to turn from your path? Why have you given us stubborn hearts so we no longer fear you? Return and help us, for we are your servants, the tribes that are your special possession.
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Sometimes it seems as though we never belonged to you, as though we had never been known as your people.
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As fire causes wood to burn and water to boil, your coming would make the nations tremble. Then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame!
When you came down long ago, you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations. And oh, how the mountains quaked! For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! You welcome those who gladly do good, who follow godly ways.
But you have been very angry with us, for we are not godly. We are constant sinners; how can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind. Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 (NLT)
Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us! Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
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Take care of this grapevine that you yourself have planted, this son you have raised for yourself. For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies.
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Then we will never abandon you again. Revive us so we can call on your name once more. Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 (NLT)
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way — with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge. This confirms that what I told you about Christ is true. Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 13:33-37 (NLT)
And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!
“The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return — in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!”
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Intercessions:
O God, our ever-present help, come to us now in this our time of trouble. Lord, hear our prayers:
+ For believers everywhere who wait for the Lord’s coming – that this Advent may help us prepare…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all the people who look forward to the celebration of Christmas – that Christ’s heart and mind may find a place to dwell in our lives…. Lord, hear us
+ For the nations where there is no peace, especially Israel, Palentine and the Middle East – that war may soon become a distant memory…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people suffering because of sickness and disease – that they may experience healing and support from the people of God…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are infirmed in mind or body – that they may know Christ’s healing power…. Lord, hear us
+ For people trying to rebuild their lives after any betrayal of trust – that they may feel the tender love of Christ, on whom they can rely…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all those who have died in Christ – that God’s light may shine on them and on all who grieve their loss…. Lord, hear us.
God of hosts, Your hand protects Your chosen people: listen to our prayers, we ask You, through Christ our Lord. Amen
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Benediction:
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21)
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Advent is the traditional season of preparation for the coming of Jesus. It’s a time to prepare for Christmas – when Jesus first came into the world, in humility, as a baby. And, it’s also a time of longing for Jesus’ second coming, in glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords. We don’t know when that will be. But the Bible says, “Be prepared! It could happen at any time.”
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening sentence:
Lord Jesus, Prepare my heart to welcome You as the Season of Advent unfolds. Keep my mind focused on the miracle of Your presence within me. Quiet my spirit so that I can find rest and comfort in You. And make me a person of prayer, especially for those You place in my path. Give me a spirit of expectation and longing for Your coming Kingdom as I enter into Your presence today. May I worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Amen.
A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5 (NLT)
This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all — the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.
Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 122 (NLT)
I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached.
All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—
make their pilgrimage here.
They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as the law requires of Israel.
Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,
the thrones of the dynasty of David.
Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces.
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,
“May you have peace.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.
A Reading from the Paul’s Letter to the Church in Rome: Romans 13:11-14 (NLT)
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 24:36-44 (NLT)
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Intercessions:
Gracious God, my Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your kindness and love for me… sending Your Son to live among us, sending Your Spirit to dwell within me… and filling me with the confident hope that one day all will be made right when Jesus comes again in glory. Hear my prayers today as I approach You, in all the humility that I can muster, on behalf of Your people:
+ Fill Your people with a spirit of preparation and expectation… for Jesus’ return in glory as King of kings and Lord of lords.
+ Give us a spirit of welcome and hospitality… as we invite the Living Lord into our present lives.
+ Fill us with a spirit of hope… even in these dark and dreary days and break our bondage, our resignation, to the way things are – so that we can focus our attention to the way things will be when Your Kingdom comes in all its fulness.
+ Give us a spirit of excitement… the night is almost over, it will soon be light, our salvation is near.
+ Fill us with a spirit of courage… to choose Christ, whose light alone can lead us into a future of his making?
+ Give us a spirit of boldness… to share the vision of Kingdom come – to a world threatened by the violence of war, a world grown accustomed to infidelity, a world trapped in its own indifference.
+ Fill us with a spirit of adventure… to abandon the past, and to begin a journey into the future You have prepared for us.
During this Advent season I welcome You, Lord Jesus, into my life and daily routine. You alone can transform my broken hopes and heal my forgotten hurts. You alone can bring peace to my sinful life. You alone can fill my life with the joy of worship: “I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to God’s house!” Amen.
Hymn:O Come, Emmanuel – The Piano Guys
O come, O come, Emmanuel / And ransom captive Israel / That mourns in lonely exile here / Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free / Thine own from Satan’s tyranny / From depths of Hell Thy people save / And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer / Our spirits by Thine advent here / Disperse the gloomy clouds of night / And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come, / And open wide our heavenly home; / Make safe the way that leads on high, / And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, / Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height, / In ancient times did’st give the Law, / In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
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