First Sunday of Advent
Advent begins today. It is a 4-week season for preparing our hearts to behold our Savior, the prophesied Messiah. May this season draw our hearts back to reflect on what has already been done and propel us onward into a new year of expectation and readiness for His next glorious appearing!
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening Prayer:
God our Savior, You utter a word of promise and hope and hasten the day of justice and freedom, yet we live in a world forgetful of Your word, our watchfulness dulled by the cares of life. Keep us alert. Make us attentive to Your word, ready to look on Your Son when He comes with power and great glory. Make us holy and blameless, ready to stand secure when the day of His coming shakes the world with terror. 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.
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Hymn: “”Intro & Prepare Ye The Way”” – Michael W. Smith [A New Hallelujah]
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (NLT)
[Jeremiah’s prophecy looks to the day when a son of David will bring salvation. Christians see this fulfilled in Jesus.]
“The day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them.
“In those days and at that time I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be its name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 14 (NLT)
Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
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The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
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The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
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The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.
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“Psalm 25” – The Psalm Project
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2 (NLT)
[Grow in love, says Paul; be blameless when the Lord comes in glory.]
And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen.
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 (NLT)
[Jesus warns his followers to be vigilant.]
“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”
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“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
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Hymn: “Lord I Need You” – Matt Maher
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Intercessions:
Because God is faithful and loving, we can approach Him with confidence.
+ For all believers – that we may be found ready when the Lord comes in glory…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all people of good will – that we may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving…. Lord, hear us.
+ For families, especially those who suffer – that they may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of hope…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who live in fear – that they may find new courage in this new year…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people burdened by addiction – that the liberation promised by the Lord may be theirs…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who suffer, in mind or body or spirit – that they may experience God’s healing power…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died – that they may have peace and rest in the Kingdom…. Lord, hear us.
Lord, You are a true friend to those who revere You: be our comfort and support in all our needs, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Light Of The World” – Lauren Daigle
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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
![The Triumph Of Christianity Over Paganism Gustave Doré, ca. 1868 [Christ, carrying a Cross, surrounded by a host of angels, forming a circle, swords ready to attack, sweeping above pagan gods of every kind.] The Joey and Tobey Tanenbaum Collection, 2002. Art Gallery of Hamilton, Ontario.](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Triumph_Of_Christianity_Over_Paganism.Gustave_Dor%C3%A9.jpg)
The Peanut Gallery 