Redeemer Virtual Worship | First Sunday in Advent (Nov. 29, 2020)

JOIN Zoom Fellowship at 9:30am

WORSHIP LEADERS:

The Rev. Dr. Sharon Kelly, interim pastor
The Rev. Dr. Robin Bell, guest preacher
Jenny Lutter, reader
Alyssa Schwitzer, Emander Deward, vocalists
Steven Hobert, piano
Amy Koopman, intercessor & videographer | Dave Scharnhorst, audio engineer

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                                            WORSHIP BULLETIN     
                                        First Sunday of Advent
                                                                 November 29, 2020

PRELUDE/ LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH 
Let us pray: We praise you, O God, for this evergreen crown, that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent. As we light the first candle on this advent wreath, raise us up from sleep that we may be ready to greet our lord when he comes with all the saints and angels. Enlighten us with your grace and prepare our hearts to welcome him with joy. Grant this through Christ our lord whose coming is certain and whose day draws near. Amen. 

ADVENT GREETING
Holy God, the Beginning and the Ending, our Hope as we wait, we praise you for joining us to your people of old.
We bless you for your prophets who call us to righteousness and promise a new earth with peace for all.
For the Word of your covenant, we thank you, O God. We thank you, O God.
We praise you for the coming of Jesus our Lord, who lifts up the lowly, heals the suffering world, and proclaims your way of mercy and truth.
For your Word who is Christ, we magnify you, O God. We magnify you, O God.
Send your Spirit on all who receive your Word.
Nurture our faith with your grace, accompany us with your might, and empower our zeal for your justice and joy.
For your Word through the church, we praise you, O God. We praise you, O God.
 All praise to you, holy God, today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
We pray: 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.

HYMN: We Worship You

THE WORD

First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9
1 O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
3 When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him. 5 You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7 There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. 8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. 9 Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.
L: Word of God, Word of Life. C: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us.
3 Restore us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts, how long will your anger fume when your  people pray? 
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
17 Let your hand be upon the one at  your right hand, the one you have made so strong for yourself. 
18 And so will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your name.
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved. 

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5 for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind—6 just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you—7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8 He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
L: Word of God, Word of Life. C: Thanks be to God

Gospel Acclamation: Soon and Very Soon TFF 38

Pastor: The Holy Gospel According to Mark 13:24-37
C: Glory to you, O Lord
[Jesus said:] 24“In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. 27 Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
  28“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
  32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”
P: The Gospel of the Lord C: Praise to you, O Christ

SERMON: The Rev. Dr. Robin Bell

HYMN: My Lord, What a Morning

CONFESSION of FAITH The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,and his kingdom will have no end.We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
 We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. 
Amen.

Affirmation of Vocation: Welcoming to Redeemer The Rev. Paul and Mrs. Jennifer Lutter and daughter Annika 

SHARING of the PEACE! 
The Peace of Christ be with you always! And also with you.

Offering Prayer
We pray: Generous God, you have created all that is, and you provide for us in every season. Bless all that we offer, that through these gifts the world will receive your blessing. In the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, we pray. Amen.

PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
Lord, Listen to your children praying (TFF 247)
...Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (traditional)
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

BENEDICTION:  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.

DISMISSAL:
May God’s peace be with you ‘til we meet again (2x)  
‘Til we reach that distant shore, and we shed a tear no more,
May God give you strength to endure 
‘Til we meet again (2x)

L: Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God