Description
Luke 21:25-36
As the church year begins and we begin our journey to the celebration of Christmas, our Gospel lesson reminds us that Advent actually prepares us for His second coming. Signs will show us that His return is imminent. As it turns out, those signs are upon us. So be prepared, for the Lord is coming soon! For us in Christ, His coming will be a great blessing. Therefore, let us join together in the prayer: “Come Lord Jesus!”
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Come, Now Is the Time to Worship partnered with O Come, All Ye Faithful
Brian Doerksen, ©1998 Vineyard Songs
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
John Mason Neale & Henry Sloane Coffin, ©several publishersJoy Has Dawned
Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, ©2004 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
The Advent of Our King
LBW 22; LSB 331; LW 12
Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending
BH 91 199; CH 754; EH 57; ELW 435; HS98 802; HWC 241; HFG 306; HLC 185; HGP 146; LBW 27; LSB 336; LW 15; PH 6; RH 659; STTL 278; UMH 718; WAR 318; WHM 278; WIS 192
The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came
EH 265; ELW 265; HS 98 805; LSB 356; PH 16; WOV 632; WAR 169
Invocation
Pastor We begin our time together,
ALL In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Litany
Pastor Oh almighty Lord, come quickly and bless us,
ALL Amen! Come Lord Jesus.
Pastor Be among us this day and stir up our hearts,
ALL Amen! Come Lord Jesus.
Pastor Care for us and lead us in Your ways,
ALL Amen! Come Lord Jesus.
Pastor May we remain with You for all our days here and for eternity,
ALL Amen! Come Lord Jesus and bless us. Amen!
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor The signs are upon us, the Lord draws near, and we are reminded of our unworthiness. May we now trust in the mercy of almighty God and confess our sins, trusting in His forgiveness.
Silence for reflection
Pastor Holy Lord, merciful God,
ALL We confess that we have sinned against you and one another. We have not honored the love You have for us and turned away from Your presence. Yet Lord, You still love us and care for us and we praise You. Cleanse our hearts Lord and renew us now, that we may honor You in all we do now and forever. Amen.
Pastor The gracious Lord God almighty hears our prayers and continues to pour down His grace upon us. By the great love He showed us through Jesus Christ’s death & resurrection I am able to speak to you these words on His behalf: your sins are forgiven. You have been freed and cleansed. He is with you now and always. May we forever follow in His ways, even to eternal life.
ALL Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Jeremiah 33:14–16
We hear the prophecy through Jeremiah that points to the coming of Christ. This is not just a blessing to the Jews who are in exile, but to all those who are exile because of sin. Righteousness will come and save us, namely, Jesus Christ.
14“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15In 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. 16In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
