Worship and Devotions

The Songs of Advent

Advent means coming. This Advent we want to explore what that coming looks like through the songs of Advent. We have some clues: Christ comes into our hearts and lives there every minute of every day through the power of the Holy Spirt. So the coming is NOW! We know that Christ came as a baby thousands of years ago in Bethlehem so the coming is also PAST and at Christmas we celebrate what has already happened. Yet Christ has promised to come again to take us all with him to live forever. Thus coming is FUTURE! A phrase that you may have heard before is that we live in the already but not yet kin-dom of God! We live in the kin-dom of God NOW yet not in its fullness. That is what we await.

First Week of Advent

In this first week of Advent we explore the reality of the world now and our longing for Jesus to come again to free us from the fear, worry, dread we feel as we observe what is happening in and to the world around us: climate catastrophes, wars and rumours of war, violence from domestic to between nations, homelessness, and so much more. Yet we have hope through Jesus our Saviour!

Isaiah 9:1-2

But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness— on them light has shined.

This first hymn “Lost in the Night” (ELW 243) has words translated by Olav Lee. It is sung to a Finnish melody that originally was a love song, a fact that caused the hymn to be banned among Finnish Lutherans in North America! (Read up on it at HYMN 105 Lost in the Night) What questions does the hymn ask and what answers do its lyrics give?

Lost in the Night (ELW 243) (youtube.com)

Lost in the Night - ELW 243

Finnish folk tune "Lost In the Night" / "Tuoll' on mun kultani"

“Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding” (ELW 246) is translated from a Latin hymn of the 1600’s. (Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding - Dictionary of Hymnology) What are we supposed to do when we hear Christ is coming? What gifts of grace is Christ bringing us?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V0J9Rgsr7A

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding- Folk Hymnal- Lyric Video

Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding - Chicago Metro Presbytery Music

"Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding", arr. Richard Webster

Jeremiah 23:5-6

⁵The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. ⁶In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

Luke 1:78-79

⁷⁸Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,⁷⁹to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

We will listen to some verses from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (ELW 257) over the next weeks. However here we want to hear it whole. This first video talks about its origin and meaning with a sung version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn22_TATAcE

Chris Tomlin - O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Lyric Video)

Lauren Daigle - O Come O Come Emmanue (Lyrics)

Enya - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Lyric Video) - YouTube

Revelation 22:16“It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Malachi 4:2 ²“But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.”

“As Dark Awaits the Dawn” (ELW 261) was written by the late Susan Palo Cherwien with music by Carl F. Shalk. What images/names of Jesus are used? What do they tell us about Jesus’ coming?

As Dark Awaits the Dawn: C. Shalk

As the Dark Awaits the Dawn - ELW 261

May the hope we have in Jesus sustain your heart throughout the coming weeks! Come, Lord Jesus!

First Sunday of Advent

Sunday December 1, 2024

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.

Music

Light One Candle to Wait for Messiah (verse 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxNB2VwQRmc

Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se2BUGpUBRQ

Prayer of the Day

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Music

Creator of The Stars Of Night

Creator of the Stars of Night (Lyric Videos)

Readings

Jeremiah 33:14-16; Psalm 25:1-19; 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13; Luke 21:25-36

Gospel - Luke 21:25-36

Glory to you, O Lord.

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. ²⁶People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ²⁷Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. ²⁸Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” ²⁹Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; ³⁰as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. ³¹So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. ³²Truly I tell you; this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. ³³Heaven 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, ³⁵like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶Be 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.”

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

https://youtu.be/j6aN-BAAFyQ

Music

Come Now, O God

Come Now, O God - Elw/Acs 902

Prayers of Intercession

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. Grant wisdom, insight, courage and hope to our leaders, lay and ordained. 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, the roaring sea and quiet breeze. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Israel, Palestine, Gaza, and Lebanon; Ukraine, and Russia, and all places where peace is not found. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. Comfort those who weep for what is being and has been lost, for lives, livelihoods and identities, homes, and memories. Do not let them or us be overwhelmed by sorrow but be our companion even through the valley of the shadow of death. 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, comfort and heal those who are ill , suffering or mourning. 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 eternal life. Lord, in your mercy, receive our prayer.

Saviour of the nations, come, and receive these prayers and the pleas of our hearts, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Music

My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness

251 My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness

People, Look East

People, Look East - YouTube

Go Now In Peace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQg2XqZcZjI