PRELUDE
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel arr. M. Corl ELW 257
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father,
and of the + Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you
and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. (silence for self-reflection)
Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
For safety reasons, we ask that the congregation follow along with all spoken and sung responses silently.
The Assisting Minister and the Cantor will respond for the congregation to all spoken and sung responses.
ABSOLUTION
God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.
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.
KYRIE
ELW Page 120
LIGHTING OF WREATH
In Advent, we look for Christ to come in fullness, so that all may know the peace, goodness and justice of Christ’s love in the world. In the lighting of the flame we look to Christ in hope.
Word
God speaks to us in scripture, preaching and song.
CHILDREN’S TIME
FIRST READING ISAIAH 64:1-9
Response after the conclusion: The word of the Lord.
A reading from Isaiah. 1O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence—2as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. 6We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.
PSALM PSALM 80:1-7, 17-19
| Let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. (Ps. 80:7) 1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph | like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned up- | on the cherubim. 2In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, | and Manasseh, stir up your strength and | come to help us. 3Restore | us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we | shall be saved. 4O LORD| God of hosts, how long will your anger fume when your | people pray? 5You have fed them with the | bread of tears; you have given them bowls of | tears to drink. 6You have made us the derision | of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh | us to scorn. 7Restore us, O | God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we | shall be saved. 17Let your hand be upon the one at | your right hand, the one you have made so strong | for yourself. 18And so will we never turn a- | way from you; give us life, that we may call up- | on your name. 19Restore us, O LORD| God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we | shall be saved. |
SECOND READING 1 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9
Response after the conclusion: Thanks be to God.
| 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind–6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you–7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. |
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
ALL EARTH IS HOPEFUL (ELW 266)
GOSPEL MARK 13:24-37
Response after the conclusion: The gospel of the Lord.
| The holy gospel according to Mark. [Jesus said:] 24″In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28″From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32″But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35Therefore, keep awake–for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” |
SERMON THE REV. DR. ERIC J. TROZZO
HYMN OF THE DAY
Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding ELW246
CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Response: Your mercy is great.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
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.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us into the world to serve our neighbor.
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending ELW 435