Sunday, December 3, 2023 First Sunday of Advent
Bible Conversations will meet Monday at 1PM…We will be discussing the lessons used worship on December 10. All are welcome to join us in the first floor meeting room (use the side door).
Alleluia . Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
Alleluia. (Ps. 85:7)
Prayer of the Day
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection awaken us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and keep us blameless until the coming of your new day, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings and Psalm
First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
M Psalm 79; Micah 4:1-5; Revelation 15:1-8
Tu Psalm 79; Micah 4:6-13; Revelation 18:1-10
W Psalm 79; Micah 5:1-5a; Luke 21:34-38
Th Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Hosea 6:1-6; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
F Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Acts 11:19-26
Sa Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; Ezekiel 36:24-28; Mark 11:27-33
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
Winds of Grace
Have you ever experienced a powerful storm in which the sky grew increasingly dark and winds swirled the clouds or broke branches off trees? Our modern technology often allows us to prepare for storms like blizzards and hurricanes that develop slowly as they move toward us. Perhaps you’ve taken part in hastily boarding up windows, securing pets or farm animals, and gathering groceries and supplies in anticipation of being shut in or without power for a time.
The coming of the Son of Man will apparently not include advance warnings like those of meteorologists and weather apps, for Jesus says, “About that day or hour no one knows.” It may be more like a tornado or thunderstorm, where we see that the conditions are right but can’t be sure precisely when or where it will materialize. Our preparations for that type of storm are different, primarily focused on where and how we’ll take shelter should lightning or a funnel cloud be spotted nearby. Many of us practiced tornado drills in school as kids; such practices, as well as storm watches and warnings, keep us aware of how to respond and alert about when to do so.
It is easy to hear Jesus’ words and sound an alert for the end times. We might even spend time and energy worrying about the end and what it means for us. At the same time, the urgency of this proclamation is focused on the present, on what we can do here and now to be open to God’s rule in our lives. This is a different kind of preparation, focused on loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
In the sacraments of baptism and communion we are invited into regular practices of anticipating the presence of God with us. In Advent we bring a particular focus to this expectation. We are invited to think about the ways the winds of grace gather us in, and then send us out for the sake of the world.
A Hymn for the Day
Philipp Nicolai (1556–1608) composed both the text and the tune for “Wake, awake, for night is flying” (ELW 436), a hymn appropriate for this Sunday and revered by centuries as the King of chorales. Its biblical images connect the readings of the conclusion of year A with those of Advent year B. Nicolai was pastor during an outbreak of the plague, when he conducted as many as thirty funerals a day. One victim was his student and friend Count Wilhelm, whose title in German gave Nicolai the opening letters for each stanza, “W, Z, G,” in our translation Wake, Zion, and Gloria. We surround death with the life of God.
On a Sunday nearing the winter solstice (around December 21), be sure to sing “Each winter as the year grows older” (ELW 252). In 1969, the married couple William and Annabeth Gay composed the text and tune for this hymn which uses the winter of the northern hemisphere and our own death as eschatological metaphors.
Visual Image / Artwork
It is winter in the northern hemisphere, and we await spring, just as each day we await the presence of God’s power. Consider using a picture of a
budding fig tree.
Comments from the Cloud of Witnesses
Some people see the future Day of Judgment, whether by bomb or Bible, as a disastrous time. For them, that Day will be a time of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. For most of us the Day of Judgment, the End of Time, the Second Coming of Christ, whatever you want to call it, is something without any real meaning. We don’t look forward to it with dread, because we don’t look forward to it at all. Yet Advent calls us to hope for the coming of Christ. This positive hope comes from knowing that we already belong to Christ and already live in communion with him and each other. Through grace we are made ready meet Christ, both in our daily lives and at the Day of Judgment. Advent reminds us to take time to watch, to make space for that waiting which is so important to our spiritual journey, and to look to tomorrow in positive hope, living expectantly for the coming of the Christ. —
Linda L. Grenz
[Linda L. Grenz, in
Homilies for the Christian People, ed. Gail Ramshaw (New York: Pueblo Publishing Company, 1989), 181.]
Upcoming Commemorations
Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia, died 1552 Sunday, December 3, 2023
A native of the Basque region of Spain, Xavier became a missionary to India, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Philippines. He also helped to found the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
John of Damascus, theologian and hymnwriter, died around 749
Monday, December 4, 2023
A monk in an abbey near Jerusalem, John wrote many hymns as well as theological works. One of his works, The Fount of Wisdom, remained influential for centuries.
Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, died around 342 Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Little is known about Nicholas, except that he was a bishop in present-day Turkey. According to legend, he was famous for his giving to the poor, and so has become a symbol of anonymous gift-giving.
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, died 397 Thursday, December 7, 2023
While a governor of northern Italy, Ambrose was elected bishop of Milan on the same day he was baptized. He was a famous preacher, a writer of hymns we still sing today, and helped lead St. Augustine to faith.
From sundaysandseasons.com.
TAKING FAITH HOME 12/03
CARING CONVERSATION: Discuss in your household or small group:
• When do you find it hard to wait?
• Jesus says we should watch out and be alert as we wait for him to come back. What do you think it will be like when Jesus returns?
• Jesus said, “My words will never pass away” (Mark 13:31). What words of Jesus are especially important to you?
DEVOTIONS:
December 3rd is the first Sunday in Advent. Using four blue or purple candles and a white center candle, set up a home Advent wreath. In your household devotion times this week, light the first candle, and use the following words:
Leader: “This is the candle of hope. We are getting ready to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, who gives us hope for the future.”
On each day of the week have a different person read a Bible passage about hope: Psalm 25:1-3; Isaiah 40:29-31; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Romans 5:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 1 Timothy 4:9-10; 1 Peter 1:3-4.
Talk about the verses. Then, form a circle by joining hands around the candles and conclude with these words:
Leader: “The Advent wreath is a circle that has no beginning and no end. It reminds us that God has no beginning and no end. Our household is a circle that is held together by the hope of God.”
Response: “Come, Lord Jesus, and give us hope. Amen.”
SERVICE:
In Advent, we remember that God gave himself in Christ to the world. In response, we are called to serve those who need to experience God’s love and grace. This week, begin to purchase non-perishable grocery items or clothing to donate to a local food pantry or community resource center, or find a time to serve together in one of these places.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS:
With the beginning of the new church year in Advent, the church hears a new set of readings from scripture. Gather together all the Bibles in your home and use this prayer of blessing:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, and especially the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we read, listen to and think about the scriptures in this new church year, open our eyes, ears and minds so that we know him and hear his voice, and grow in doing his will. Amen
SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
God can be trusted, and he chose you to be partners with his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:9 (CEV)
A Prayer for the Week: Lord Jesus, keep us awake and alert, watching for you to come again. Amen.
Mealtime Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come to our table. Come into our hearts. Come and give us hope. Amen.
A Blessing to Give: May God keep you always strong in faith, so that you will be free from all blame when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. Amen.
© 2011 Vibrant Faith Ministries. All rights reserved. Written by Pr. Greg Priebbenow and edited by Vibrant Faith Ministries
Sunday, December 10, 2023 Second Sunday of Advent
Bible Conversations will meet Monday at 1PM…We will be discussing the lessons used worship on December 17. All are welcome to join us in the first floor meeting room (use the side door).
Alleluia . Prepare the way of the Lord.
All flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Alleluia. (Luke 3:4, 6)
Prayer of the Day
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings and Psalm
Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8
M Psalm 27; Isaiah 26:7-15; Acts 2:37-42
Tu Psalm 27; Isaiah 4:2-6; Acts 11:1-18
W Psalm 27; Malachi 2:10—3:1; Luke 1:5-17
Th Psalm 126; Habakkuk 2:1-5; Philippians 3:7-11
F Psalm 126; Habakkuk 3:2-6; Philippians 3:12-16
Sa Psalm 126; Habakkuk 3:13-19; Matthew 21:28-32
Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b-55; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24;
John 1:6-8, 19-28
New Beginnings
There are lots of ways to open a story, perhaps most famously “Once upon a time . . .” Similarly, the gospel-writer Mark starts out, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,” even though his narrative lacks the birth, angelic announcements, and childhood stories Matthew and Luke tell about Jesus. And John’s gospel starts even farther back, at the beginning of creation, before skipping to Jesus’ adult years. What we can take from these varying opening narratives is that the story of Jesus does not have one beginning, but many beginnings—each a new entry point into the old, old story of God’s love breaking into the world.
Mark starts with an invitation to baptism, repentance, and forgiveness of sins. Even so, John the baptizer declares that another new start is coming, with the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus will bring. What’s more, while his baptism by John is clearly not the first event in Jesus’ life, it marks a new beginning just before he heads off to the wilderness and then on to start his public ministry.
We celebrate Advent every year at this time, but each time is a new experience, a new beginning of the church year, a new chance to anticipate grace. What has changed for you since last Advent? What has changed for your family and community? What expectations or hopes do you have for God’s presence with us? What new beginning would be a blessing?
Every Sunday is a celebration of the resurrection, and each time we take part in confession and forgiveness we experience a fresh start. Mark opens with baptism, which is a new beginning for each of us. Remembering our baptism offers us daily assurance of the new things God is always unfolding around us. Today as we worship, we pray for the Holy Spirit to stir up something new in, with, and among us.
A Hymn for the Day
In 1925 the Canadian lay Methodist James Milligan wrote “There’s a voice in the wilderness” (ELW 255) to celebrate the Protestant merger that constituted the United Church of Canada. The text applies the poetic imagery in Isaiah 40 to ourselves.
On a Sunday nearing the winter solstice (around December 21), be sure to sing “Each winter as the year grows older” (ELW 252). In 1969, the married couple William and Annabeth Gay composed the text and tune for this hymn which uses the winter of the northern hemisphere and our own death as eschatological metaphors.
Visual Image / Artwork
For a photo of a wilderness, with valleys and mountains and limited vegetation, find an image of
Cedar Mountain Wilderness. We are all such a wilderness, awaiting the good news of the coming of God.
Comments from the Cloud of Witnesses
The way to freedom runs through the wilderness. Hence the first message is that the people must prepare a way, more accurately a street, straight through the wilderness. From Babylonian hymns and from archaeological evidence we know that the high street in Babylon was rather like the Champs Elysees in Paris, leading to the Arc de Triumph. Isaiah wants such a highway for the Lord, running through the wilderness and leading to the temple in Jerusalem, which was to be rebuilt. However, God’s glory is not revealed in splendid cavalcades on great streets or in processions with imposing effigies, but only in everyday history, and above all in the event of the liberation of his people from slavery, through the difficult journey through the wilderness, back to the freedom of Zion. That, Isaiah says, is the way in which God’s glory is made manifest and revealed to all. That is where God’s jealous honor is to be found: in the exaltation of the insignificant, the poor and the lowly, those who are oppressed. —
Edward Schillebeeckx
[Edward Schillebeeckx, in
Homilies for the Christian People, ed. Gail Ramshaw (New York: Pueblo Publishing Company, 1989), 78-79.]
Upcoming Commemorations
Lucy, martyr, died 304 Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Lucy was a young Christian of Sicily who was martyred during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian. Her celebration became particularly important in Sweden and Norway, perhaps because the feast of Lucia (whose name means "light") originally fell on the shortest day of the year.
John of the Cross, renewer of the church, died 1591 Thursday, December 14, 2023
John was a member of the Carmelite monastic order, and worked to reform it. His writings reflect a deep interest in mystical thought and meditation.
Las Posadas (LLC) Saturday, December 16, 2023
This celebration, long popular in Mexico, takes its name from the "posadas," or lodgings, sought by Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. Their search is reenacted in a neighborhood, unsuccessfully, until finally they are welcomed in, and a party commences.
From sundaysandseasons.com.
TAKING FAITH HOME 12/10
CARING CONVERSATION: Discuss in your household or small group:
Discuss in your household or small group:
• What things do you do in your home to prepare for Christmas?
• How can we get ready for Christmas, not just outwardly, but also in our hearts?
• God used John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus. How does God use us to prepare the way for others to hear about him?
DEVOTIONS:
If you have not already done so, set up a home Advent wreath using blue or purple candles. In your household devotion times this week, light two candles, and use the following liturgy:
Leader: “In the second week of Advent we light two candles – the candles of hope and of peace. We are getting ready to celebrate the birthday of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.”
On each day of the week have a different family member read a Bible passage about peace: Psalm 34:14, Proverbs 17:1, Isaiah 26:3, Luke 2:14, John 14:27, Romans 5:1, Philippians 4:6-7. Talk about the verse/s. Then, form a circle by joining hands around the candles and conclude with these words:
Leader: “Our household is a circle that is held together by the peace of God.”
Response: “Come, Lord Jesus, and give us peace. Amen.”
SERVICE:
We can “prepare the way for the Lord” through acts of service in Christ’s name. Make preparations to donate a gift or food basket to a person or family in your community. You may wish to contact a local charity to see what is most needed. This is a great project to do with other households in your church.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS:
As a household, decorate and number enough envelopes for each day left before Christmas. String them on a ribbon or cord and hang it up, perhaps with a sprig of green and a red Christmas bow at each end. Place a Christmas symbol, Bible verse or a small treasure (e.g. an ornament or piece of candy) in each envelope and seal it shut. Take turns opening a package each day. The anticipation will grow as the line of packages decreases and Christmas approaches.
SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
Always trust the LORD, because he is forever our mighty rock. Isaiah 26:4 (CEV)
A Prayer for the Week:
Lord God, make us ready to be your messengers, preparing the way for you to come to others. Amen. (Mark 1:2-3)
Mealtime Prayer:
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come to our table. Come into our hearts. Come and give us your peace. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May God be good to you. May God forgive your sins and give you peace. Amen
© 2011 Vibrant Faith Ministries. All rights reserved. Written by Pr. Greg Priebbenow and edited by Vibrant Faith Ministries
