NOTE: Pg #s refer to BAS
Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near
-Luke 21.28
Processional Hymn: #88 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.
Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land
Call to Worship:
Come as an Advent people; praise the God of promise.
We come with glad and thankful hearts.
Follow the holy way; make the path straight.
We will walk the road to Bethlehem. Amen
(Seasons of the Spirit)
The Gathering of the Community p. 185
Glory to God p.186
Kyrie Eleison p.186
Collect: Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word (Led by Dr. Doug Shantz)
First Reading: JEREMIAH 33:14-16
PSALM 25:1-9 R: To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Second Reading: 1 THESSALONIANS 3:9-13
Gradual Hymn: #594 Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour (vs 1-2)
Judge Eternal, throned in splendor,
Lord of lords and King of kings,
with your living fire of judgment
purge this land of bitter things;
comfort all its wide dominion
with the healing of your wings.
Weary folk still are longing
for the hour that brings release,
and the city’s crowded clamour
cries aloud for sin to cease,
and the countryside and woodlands
plead in silence for their peace.
The Gospel: LUKE 21:25-36
Gradual Hymn: #594 Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour (vs 3)
Crown, O God, your own endeavor;
cleave our darkness with your sword;
cheer the faint and feed the hungry
with the richness of your word;
cleanse the body of this nation
through the glory of the Lord.
Homily: “God’s Green Thumb: An Advent Reflection on Hope”
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostle’s Creed p.189 (please stand as able)
Prayers of the People (Led by Nancy Booth)
Confession and Absolution p.191
The Peace p. 192
Offertory Hymn: #485 Love Divine, All Love Excelling
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav’n, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation;
enter ev'ry trembling heart.
Come, Almighty, to deliver,
let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore they temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory,
till in heav’n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.
Prayer over the Gifts: God of love and power, your word stirs within us the expectation of the coming of your Son. Accept all we offer you this day, and sustain us with your promise of eternal life. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Celebration of the Eucharist (Eucharistic Prayer #6, p. 207)
The Lord’s Prayer (sung) p. 211
The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 5) p. 212
Agnes Dei (sung) O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us… Grant us Thy peace.
¬The Communion (all are welcome to receive communion, or to come up to the altar for a blessing)
Communion Hymn: #494 Not For Tongues of Heavens Angels
Not for tongues of heaven's angels,
not for wisdom to discern,
not for faith that masters mountains,
for this better gift we yearn:
Refrain
may love be ours, O Lord;
may love be ours.
May love be ours, O Lord.
Love is humble; love is gentle;
love is tender, true and kind;
love is gracious, ever patient,
generous of heart and mind:
Refrain
Never jealous, never selfish,
love will not rejoice in wrong;
never boastful, nor resentful,
love believes and suffers long:
Refrain
In the day this world is fading
faith and hope will play their part,
but when Christ is seen in glory
love shall reign in every heart:
Refrain
Prayer after Communion: God for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life. Keep us ever watchful, that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man. We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord. Amen
Doxology (Old 100th): Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen
Poem:
The Blessing
Closing Hymn: #589 Come Oh God of all the Earth
Come, O God of all the earth;
come to us, O Righteous One.
Come and bring our love to birth;
in the glory of your Son.
Refrain
Sing out, earth and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you.
Raise your joyful cries,
Dance to the life around you.
Come, O God of wind and flame;
fill the earth with righteousness.
Teach us all to sing your name;
may our lives your love confess.
Refrain
Come, O God of flashing light;
twinkling star and burning sun.
God of day and God of night;
in your light we all are one.
Refrain
Come, O God of snow and rain;
shower down upon the earth.
Come, O God of joy and pain;
God of sorrow, God of mirth.
Refrain
Come, O Justice, come, O Peace;
come and shape our hearts anew.
Come and make oppression cease;
bring us all to life in you.
Refrain
The Dismissal p. 215
