27 Nov BULLETIN – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2024
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
The Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Bishop James S. Dunlop, Preaching
The Reverend William Krenz, Pastor Emeritus
The Reverend Michael Petresky, Assisting
Greta Wright, Organist
Sunday, December 1, 2024
First Sunday of Advent
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
Holy are you, God of power and glory; you promise to make your mighty presence known among nations and to strengthen your people until the time Christ comes to gather them unto himself from the ends of the earth. As we light this candle, open our eyes to see the sin that separates us from you and from one another; restore us again, to be blameless before your eyes on that day. Stir up your power and come. Draw us into knowing you ever more deeply.
Reveal your face to us again and continue to give us life. Amen. Light one candle.
RESPONSIVE READING
Whenever evil or suffering hold sway; we pray, O Lord,
Stir up your power and come.
Whenever war, evil, or crime oppress any people; we pray, O Lord,
Stir up your power and come.
Whenever illness or injury cause pain; we pray, O Lord,
Stir up your power and come.
Whenever pride or indifference imprison people; we pray, O Lord,
Stir up your power and come.
Whenever people grieve or hunger; we pray, O Lord,
Stir up your power and come.
BRIEF ORDER OF CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, [☩] one God, who is worthy of our trust, is both gracious and upright. Amen. Help us to bear our souls without wallowing in guilt or shame. Forgive us as we humbly confess our failings. (Silence is kept for reflection.)
God of mercy, you know all the stuff we struggle with: thoughts about the past, worries about the present or preoccupation with the future. We often say or do things on account of our fragile human egos or easily triggered emotions. We apologize for seeking our own paths toward success, safety, security and comfort. Please remember not our sins and transgressions.
Those who look to the Lord are already on the path to being taught, to finding God’s steadfast love and growing in faith. Start a new beginning now through the power of the [+] Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Receive the fullness of both God’s grace and forgiveness. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers #25
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
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 Pages 57-59
🎶In peace let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶For this holy house, and for all who offer here and online their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
🎶Lord have mercy.
🎶Help, save, comfort, and defend us gracious Lord.
🎶Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 58-59
🎶Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
🎶Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father: we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God: You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
🎶The Lord be with you.
🎶And Also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Stir up your power and come, Jesus. And by the merciful protection of your Holy Spirit, alert us to the threatening dangers of every sin. Redeem this entire world to live justly as you live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit as one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING JEREMIAH 33:14-16
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; and he 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.”
PSALM 25:1-10
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame, nor let my enemies’ triumph over me.
Let none who look to you be put to shame;
rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous.
Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
You are gracious and upright, O Lord; therefore, you teach sinners in your way.
You lead the lowly in justice and teach the lowly your way.
All your paths, O Lord, are steadfast love and faithfulness to those who keep your covenant and your testimonies.
SPECIAL MUSIC The Joyful Ringers
It Is Well With My Soul
SECOND READING 1 THESSALONIANS 3:9-13
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith. Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
🎶Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the 21st chapter.
🎶Glory to you, O Lord.
GOSPEL LUKE 21:25-36
[Jesus said:] “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 does not 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
🎶Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
I, the Lord of Sea and Skies #752
PROFESSION of FAITH Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He decended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again 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
As we prepare our hearts and minds to receive you, let us pray for all people and places that long to experience God’s presence for themselves. A brief silence.
God of righteousness, your people live in hopeful expectation of your coming. Fill your church with renewed passion for shared mission; deepen relationships with other Christians and other faith traditions, locally and across the world. Let none who look to you be put to shame; remember your church according to your steadfast love and goodness.
God of the cosmos, in all of creation, your presence is awesome and made visible. Help us sense you on the earth and in the sky, among bare branches and frosty mornings, in the roaring sea and quiet breeze. Let none who look to you be put to shame; remember our planet according to your steadfast love and goodness, O Lord.
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. Let none who look to you be put to shame; govern us according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
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 those who are ill or suffering (especially those on our prayer list). In times of change, remind us of your steadfast love. Let none who look to you be put to shame; remember us for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
God of covenantal relationships, your Spirit holds us together and has sustained the congregations of Messiah and St. Peter’s for many many years. Deepen our care for one another and for the community around us. Inspire us to to live and worship together in creative ways, to serve with purpose and joy. Teach us to embrace new possibilities, diversity of thought and ways of being. Let none who look to you be put to shame; remember every generation according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
God of sweet memories, we give you thanks for persons who came before us (especially those we love who once contributed faithfully toward the success of our churches, families or neighborhoods.) Tend to our sadness at their passing and encourage us to celebrate your promise of abundant and eternal life during the here and now. Let none who look to you be put to shame; we remember your steadfast love for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.
God of our salvation, we lift up prayers to you alone, for you alone are full of mercy and grace. Your compassion and love are everlasting. Our souls trust in you according the steadfast love and goodness sake of your Son, Jesus Christ in whose holy name we pray. Amen.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
OFFERING
OFFERATORY
🎶Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord and fill to the brim our cup of blessing. Gather a harvest of the seeds that were sown, that we may be fed with the bread of life. Gather the hopes and the dreams of all; unite them with the prayer we offer now. Grace our table with your presence, and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
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 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.
BENEDICTION
CLOSING HYMN
Lord of All Hopefulness #469
DISMISSAL Page 74
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE