Connect to Zoom on your computer and keep this open on your phone to join in the service.
Gathering
Prepare your space with candles, a lighter or matches, bread and wine.
Begin with your Advent candles unlit.
Advent Litany
The Lord our God gives us garlands instead of ashes.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord.
The Lord our God turns mourning into gladness.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord.
The Lord our God brings good news to the oppressed and comforts all who mourn.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord.
Gathering Song – ELW 247 – “Come Now, O Prince of Peace”
Light three candles while singing.
Greeting
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.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray,
A period of silence for individual prayer.
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Word
First Reading – Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
A reading from Isaiah.
1The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
the Lord has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display the glory of God.
4They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
8For I the Lord love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for God has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
and has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm – Psalm 126
Refrain – Sung twice at the beginning and once at the ℟
The Lord has done great things for us.
1When the Lord restored the for- | tunes of Zion,
then were we like | those who dream.
2Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
and our tongue with | shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great | things for them.”
3The Lord has done great | things for us,
and we are | glad indeed.
4Restore our for- | tunes, O Lord,
like the watercourses | of the Negeb. ℟
5Those who | sowed with tears
will reap with | songs of joy.
6Those who go out weeping, carry- | ing the seed,
will come again with joy, shoulder- | ing their sheaves. ℟
Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.
23May the God of peace sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and will do this.
Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
All say this together to welcome the gospel.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
We prepare for you, O Lord
Your words give us hope for life with you.
Alleluia
Gospel – John 1:6-8, 19-28
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.
19This is the testimony given by John when the Judeans sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20John confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23John said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Homily
Hymn of the Day – ELW 264- Prepare the Royal Highway
Prayers of Intercession
Please unmute your Zoom so that we all hear the responses.
God of power and might, fulfill your promise and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.
Prayers are offered for the church, the world, and all in need.
Each petition concludes:
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
After all petitions:
Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Peace
Meal
Announcements
Offertory – ELW 487, vs. 1 – “What Feast of Love”
Offering Prayer
God of abundance, we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving
Please unmute your Zoom so that we all hear the responses.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ.
You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer,
through whom you will also make all things new
in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness.
And so, with all the choirs of angels,
with the church on earth and the hosts 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 he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your people.
Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,
the Word made flesh.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
With this bread and cup
we remember your Word dwelling among us,
full of grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Holy God, we long for your Spirit.
Come among us.
Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people.
Fill us with your light.
Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.
All praise and glory are yours,
Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate,
Power of the Most High,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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 us 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.
Invitation to the Table
These are indeed the gifts of God, for you, the very much beloved people of God. Taste and see that God is good.
Communion Distribution.
If you are alone in worship, the pastor will distribute to you momentarily.
If you are gathered with multiple people, please distribute communion to one another with these words:
The body of Christ given for you.
The blood of Christ shed for you.
Post-Communion Prayer
God for whom we wait, in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Sending
Sending of Communion
Gracious God, as we gather as one body this day and feast at your table, our assembly is incomplete for there are many unable to join us today. We long for the day when we are reunited as one body around a common table and we pray that you extend our gathering into homes and campsites, yards and porches, and strengthen all who hear your Word and feast at your table with the abiding presence of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Blessing
The Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting,
the long-expected Savior fill you with love,
the unexpected Spirit guide your journey,
☩ now and forever.
Amen.
Sending Song – ELW 248 – “People Look East”
Dismissal
Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Stay right here for Coffee Hour.
Liturgy, except the Gospel Acclamation and Advent Litany, Evangelical Lutheran Worship and Sundays and Seasons © Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission under Augsburg Fortress Annual Liturgies License SBT002156. Gospel Acclamation is © Disrupt Worship Project. Used by permission. Advent Litany by Lowell Chilton. Music is used by permission under OneLicense.net # A-715196.