WELCOME…!
Please join Immanuel Lutheran’s Sunday ZOOM Worship Service November 28th beginning at 10:00 AM by clicking on the link below. Sr. Daneen Pysz will lead this mornings Service of the Word. Please join us…! All are welcome.
Immanuel Lutheran Church – The First Sunday of Advent Worship Service & Virtual Coffee Hour following
Time: November 28, 2021 10:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (US and Canada)
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GATHERING
In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Most merciful God,
we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ he gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on us the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (read together)
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection alert us to the threatening dangers of our sins, and redeem us for your life of justice, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 33:14-16
In the Old Testament, “righteousness” often has to do with being faithful in relationship. God acts righteously both in punishing Israel for its sin and in having mercy. In today’s reading, Jerusalem’s future name—“The Lord is our righteousness”—proclaims that God is even now working salvation for Israel.
14The 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. 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 live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 25:1-10 (chanted responsively)
1To | you,
O Lord,
I lift | up my soul.
2My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be | put
to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph | over me.
3Let none who look to you be | put to
shame;
rather let those be put to shame | who are
treacherous.
4Show me your | ways, O Lord,
and teach | me your paths.
5Lead me in your | truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all | the
day long.
6Remember, O Lord,
your compas- | sion and love,
for they are from | everlasting.
7Remember not the sins of my youth and | my
transgressions;
remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your
good- | ness, O Lord.
8You are gracious and up- | right, O Lord;
therefore you teach sinners | in your way.
9You lead the low- | ly in justice
and teach the low- | ly your way.
10All your paths, O Lord,
are steadfast | love and faithfulness
to those who keep your covenant and your | testimonies.
SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Upon Timothy’s report from the congregation at Thessalonica, Paul is exuberant with gratitude for them. In this passage from his letter, Paul voices overflowing thanks, joy, and blessings for the people of this growing church.
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the
joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10Night and day
we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is
lacking in your faith.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus
direct our way to you. 12And may the Lord make you increase and
abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for
you. 13And 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.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 21:25-36
Glory to you, O Lord.
God will fulfill God’s purposes and, already, hidden signs of that fulfillment abound. On that great day there will be dismay, perplexity, confusion, and terror, but God’s people shall be given strength to stand boldly and receive God’s promised redemption.
[Jesus said:] 25“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. 26People
will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the
powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the
Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now
when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because
your redemption is drawing near.”
29Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all
the trees; 30as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for
yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31So also,
when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is
near. 32Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away
until all things have taken place. 33Heaven and earth will pass
away, but my words will not pass away.
34“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, 35like a trap. For it will come upon
all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be 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.”
Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY
APOSTLE’S 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 descended 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
In this season of watching and waiting, let us pray for all people and places that yearn for God’s presence.
God of presence and peace, strengthen your church around the globe to proclaim the message of your love coming to the world. Open our hearts to recognize your face in all people and in all of creation. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of mighty redwoods and microscopic plants, fields and city parks, the wind and the waves, be a healing balm to our wounded planet suffering from climate change. May we nurture what you have lovingly created. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of equity and compassion, bring righteousness and goodness to all peoples of the earth. Give a heart of discernment and integrity to leaders in our communities. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of comfort and care, be present with those who watch and wait, Give your comfort and strength to all suffering or grieving due to COVID here are around the world, those who tirelessly care for them, and those suffering from lingering effects of the disease, and those in countries and regions with limited access to vaccines. Come to all who await births, deaths, divorces, new unions, new jobs, retirements, healing, and life transitions of every kind. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of promises kept and new dreams awakened, shelter your people from destructive storms. We pray for those whose lives have been upended by natural disasters of wildfires, floods, and droughts in our country and the world, and for the work of Lutheran Disaster Response, Lutheran World Relief, and other relief organizations. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other prayers may be offered. Please unmute yourself.
God of companionship and community, we give you thanks for the saints who journeyed with us and now abide in you. Even in distress and uncertainty, make us confident that your promises endure forever. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of new life, you come among us in the places we least expect. Receive these prayers and those of our hearts, in the name of Jesus.
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.
SENDING
Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us now and forever. Amen.
PEACE AND DISMISSAL
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SENDING HYMN: LBW #34 – O come, o come, Emmanuel
1 Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
2 O come, o come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times once gave the law in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Refrain
3 Oh, come, strong Branch of Jesse, free your own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell your people save and give them vict’ry o’er the grave. Refrain
4 O come, blest Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by your advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
