Sunday, November 28, 2021
First Sunday of Advent
PRELUDE
Erin Wolf (8:30am)
Rebecca Nelson (11:00am)
Emmanuel Comes arr. by Mark Hayes
[UMH #211, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” 15th C. Tune: “Veni Emmanuel”] & [UMH #204, “Emmanuel, Emmanuel,” 20th C. Tune: “McGee” by Bob McGee]
WELCOME FROM THE PULPIT
INTROIT O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Chancel Choir
OPENING PRAYER
WE OPEN THE DOOR TO ADVENT
Leader: The pandemic has laid bare, and widened, economic disparity locally and globally. As we enter the Advent season, how can our church become a house where the Holy will be born anew–offering respite, sustenance and care, opening the doors ever wider to those seeking shelter from the onslaught of life? No one church can do it all, but each can do something. As we study the biblical prophets that call us to care for our neighbors and “make room in the inn,” the lonely and frightened spaces within us are filled with the light of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
CHOIR Hope Waits for Us at Advent
Advent Readers: Today we offer the Light of Hope to illumine the Door of Welcome.(Advent Candle is lit)
May this light shine in our hearts, in our lives, and in our church.
May Hope awaken us to possibilities and lead us to greater hospitality.
There IS room in this Inn, a House for the Holy.
All Sing
Hope waits for us at Advent. Hope waits for us to trust.
Hope waits for our commitment to a land that’s kind and just.
In this time of preparation for the work of co-creation,
for the birthing of a world that heals the ones in pain.
Hope is born in us again!
SHARING THE PEACE
(We ask you share the peace with a friendly wave to those seated around you)
Leader: The Hope of Christ be with you!
People: And also with you!
HYMN Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus UMH #196
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
CHILDREN’S TIME (11:00am)
HEBREW SCRIPTURE Jeremiah 33: 14-16 (CEB)
The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill my gracious promise with the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time, I will raise up a righteous branch from David’s line, who will do what is just and right in the land. In those days, Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is what he will be called: The Lord Is Our Righteousness.
ANTHEM The Day Thou Gavest [by John Rutter] Chancel Choir
PRAYER
Make of my life a stable, a house for the holy, a warm and sturdy place for [hope] to live and grow.
All Sing
Make of my life a stable, a house for the holy, a warm and sturdy place for [hope] to live and grow.
Leader: In this moment we open the doors of our hearts to honesty before God about what we’ve done and left undone that created less hope in a hurting world. Let us breathe out this regret… [pause to breathe out] and breathe in the life-giving, for-giving Spirit of God… [pause to breathe in] and out again with the Peace of Christ… [another breath out].
All Sing
Make of my life a stable, a house for the holy, a warm and sturdy place for [hope] to live and grow.
Leader: In this moment we open the doors of our lives to the call of the Spirit, inviting us to become more than we can ask or imagine. Let us breathe out our fear… [pause to breathe out] and breathe in the courage of the Spirit of God… [pause to breathe in] and out again, with the Peace of Christ… [another breath out].
All Sing
Make of our church a stable, a house for the holy, a warm and sturdy place for [hope] to live and grow.
Leader: In this moment we open the doors of this church, filling it with the compassion of Christ for all those who are struggling.
We remember and pray for…
… those who are suffering economic hardship, and insecurity in basic needs;
may abundance be shared.
… those who are suffering mentally, finding it difficult to cope;
may paths open and hope return.
… those who are suffering illness or injury;
may healing abound.
…. those who are suffering loneliness and isolation;
may companionship and solace arrive.
… those who are suffering discrimination, fear and violence;
may they know respect, respite, and safety.
May the Advent of Compassion be born in us,
reside within us,
move outward from us,
to meet the needs of the world,
making a house for the Holy that is each and every child of God.
We pray this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray,
Our God 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 trepasses, 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…Amen.
Second Reading Psalm 25: 4-5 (CEB)
Make your ways known to me, Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth—teach it to me— because you are the God who saves me. I put my hope in you all day long.
GOSPEL READING Luke 21:25-36
(please stand as you are willing and able for the reading of the Gospel)
“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 Son of Man 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 kingdom 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 Son of Man.”
Leader: This is the word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
SERMON A Religion of Waiting Robbie Frederiksen
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Leader: The Bible doesn’t actually mention an Innkeeper in the story of Jesus’ birth. But this popular notion is alive in our imaginations. Sometimes the Innkeeper gets a bad rap, as if providing substandard accommodations for a family about to go through the birthing process. But what if we saw the innkeeper as someone who, with a full house, thought literally “outside the box” to solve a problem? What if we endeavored to do the same to provide ministry, to “house the Holy” in ways we have not yet imagined?
OFFERTORY
Erin Wolf (8:30am)
Rebecca Nelson (11:00am)
Of the Father’s Love Begotten arr. by Wilbur Held
[UMH #184, 11th C. Tune: “Divinum Mysterium”]
DOXOLOGY Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow UMH #94
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
COMMUNION Great Thanksgiving
Leader: The Holy One be with you
People: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts
People: We lift them up to our God.
Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Leader: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you….. And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy , holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Leader: In the midst of a time of despair, oppression, division, and fear, And so, in remembrance of your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Leader: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here……… Through your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit in your holy church, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, now and forever.
All: Amen.
CLOSING CAROL
Leader: Each week of this series we will close out with a Christmas Carol. Yes, Advent is not yet the birth of Christ. However, as we prepare our homes and this house for the Holy, we live in the “already and not yet.” We already know “the rest of the story” AND YET we have not seen the fulfillment of a time when suffering ends. Today we sing “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” a carol written by Phillips Brooks in 1865 after a horseback ride between Jerusalem and Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. An original verse not included in our hymnals is especially poignant for our theme:
“Where children pure and happy
Pray to the blessed Child,
Where misery cries out to thee,
Son of the Mother mild;
Where charity stands watching
And faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
And Christmas comes once more.”
Let us remember that it was in a little and unassuming town where the Holy was housed. We too can offer light and hope and a place where “faith holds wide the door,” even and especially in our little town.
O Little Town of Bethlehem UMH #230
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie; above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light; the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above, while mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth, and praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given; so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of his heaven.
No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
BENEDICTION
May God’s Door of Welcome swing open in your heart and in your life.
May Christ’s humble first dwelling remind you of the plenty you already know.
And may the Spirit lead you into more possibility and hospitality than you can imagine, making room in The Inn for all.
May it be so for you.
May it be so for us.
May it be so for this church.
Amen.
POSTLUDE
Erin Wolf, Pianist (8:30am)
Rebecca Nelson, Organist (11:00am)
FLOWERS
The Advent arrangement is given by Elizabeth Van Eerde in honor of Martha Tipton’s birthday.