The Celebration of the Gospel
November 29, 2015 —First Sunday of Advent
Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
— Luke 21.28

______ We Gather as the Body of Christ______

GREETING
PRELUDE “Prepare Thyself”  from Christmas Oratorio J. S. Bach, arr: H. Robert James

[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]

LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Jeremiah 29.11-14
[ God speaks to people in exile, who feel abandoned and hopeless, promising that God has gracious plans for them.]

Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you. When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
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RESPONSE:
Sung : Pay attention my friends, to the promises of God,
like a candle shining in a dark place,
’till the morning star rises brightly in your hearts,
so that even in the darkness you may walk in the light of God.

Leader: Gracious God, hope of the world, as we light this Advent candle,
waken our minds to your Word.
All: Waken our hearts to your promise.
Open our eyes to your coming.
Open our arms to your presence.
O come, O Come, Emmanuel. Alleluia!

* SONG O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Blue hymnal # 211. v. 1, 5

(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME

_________ We Attend to the Word _________

THE WORD IN SONG
815: Traditions Of Christmas Chip Davis (Carol Storrs, Bass Clarinet)
10:30: Veni, veni Emmanuel arr. Zoltan Kodaly

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Loving God, you promise more than we see. You intend more than we know. You lead us more than we trust. Awaken our hearts with your Word. Stir up your Spirit in us to wait for the dawning of your delight among us with grace and faith. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 33.14-16
[God promises Israel a just and faithful ruler, a descendant of David—a “righteous branch,” a descendant of Jesse.]

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. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, who shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 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.”
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GOSPEL Luke 21.25-36
[Jesus alerts us to be watchful for the coming of God’s reign into our midst. People will be alarmed at signs in the heavens, but Jesus commends a spirit of inner watchfulness, watching for signs like we watch for spring .]

“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. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Human One coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the Realm of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 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 Human One.”
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SERMON

ADVENT SILENCE

SONG Child of Promise Steve G-H

Child of promise, oh, child of hope, prophets spoke of you:
visions treasured but unfulfilled. Shall our dreams come true?
Help us wait for you.

Child of woman, oh, child of God, birthing us anew,
make a room, oh, make a womb, in our hearts for you.
Help us wait for you.

Child of patience, oh, child of pain, suffering ills we do,
heal, forgive and help us be gentle child, like you.
Help us wait for you.

Child of wonder, oh, child of joy, you make all things new.
Re-create us, come again like the morning dew.
Help us wait for you.

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
PASSING THE PEACE

_________We Share at Christ’s Table _______

OFFERING OUR GIFTS
What Is That Lovely Fragrance? 17th Century French Carol, arr: Steven Nielson

* COMMUNION SONG Love came Down at Christmas Blue hymnal #242

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
THE PRAYER OF JESUS

SHARING THE HOLY MEAL [Everyone is welcome at the table of Christ’s self-giving love.
The bread is wheat-, soy- and dairy free. We dip the bread in the juice.]

PRAYER OF BLESSING
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. As your morning star risers in our hearts, send us out with love as signs of your coming, in the name and the presence of Christ. Amen.

____ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World____

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD

* SONG Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus Blue hymnal #196

* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE Please stand and sing to your neighbors:
Go in peace, Beloved, God be with you all.
Bear the light of Jesus, love to one and all.
Wait for your God with patience and with joy.
Christ is coming soon now! Love and joy to all!

POSTLUDE Nun Komm, Der Heiden Heiland J. S. Bach

[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]