PRELUDE Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn John G. Walther
Prelude on “Savior of the Nations, Come” Grimoaldo Macchia
Yeon Soh
WELCOME
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
whose home is heaven and earth,
whose salvation is sure. Amen.
Heeding Jesus’ call to keep awake, let us be bold in confessing the truth
of brokenness in our hearts, our actions, and our world.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Long-expected God,
we confess that we often seek salvation from that which will not save us.
We cling to our own comfort, rather than being generous with our gifts and privilege.
We maintain systems that benefit us, rather than challenging injustice.
We act from fear rather than faith.
Transform our hearts with your mercy.
Teach us again to be people of courage and hope.
Beloved children of God,
heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s faithfulness is sure.
You are forgiven and forever claimed, through the saving love of ☩ Jesus Christ. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus ELW 254
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.
ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING
The birth of Jesus has been told and retold a thousand times and in a thousand ways.
It cannot be contained in any one perspective
Today, we imagine the journey of Mary and Joseph. What are they dreaming of for their child?
A brief silence.
Mary and Joseph held on to hope when their options seemed to be in short supply.
And now, just like then, faithful families trust that somehow, God is present in the unknown.
We light the candle of hope, because hope creates a path for a new story to unfold.
Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah ELW 240
Sing verse 1
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray: God who dreams, we enter this Advent season carrying brokenness in and around us.
Comfort our longing spirits, and teach us again how to be people of profound hope.
Walk with us in our pilgrimage toward the renewed world you promise
in the birth of Jesus Christ, our hope and our Savior. Amen.
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WORD |
FIRST READING Isaiah 2:1-5
The visionary message presented in this reading focuses on a future day when God establishes a universal reign of peace. Divine decisions will make war obsolete, and the worshiping community responds: “Let us walk in the light of that Lord now!”
A reading from Isaiah.
1 The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 In days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established
as the highest of the mountains and shall be raised above the hills;
all the nations shall stream to it.
3 Many peoples shall come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Romans 13:11-14
Paul compares the advent of Christ to the coming of dawn. We live our lives today in light of Christ’s coming in the future.
A reading from Romans.
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is already the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12 the night is far gone; the day is near. Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us walk decently as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in illicit sex and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Jess
After the children’s message, children ages 3-6th grade are invited to go upstairs for Sunday School classes. Visitors are welcome to join!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL Matthew 1:1-17
The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new church year, and the beginning of a new cycle of Scripture readings. This year, most of our Gospel readings will come from Matthew. We start at the very beginning, where Matthew gives us a listing of Jesus’ ancestors, a genealogy which includes some surprising names!
The Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
1 An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Aram, 4 and Aram the father of Aminadab, and Aminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of King David.
And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.
12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Salathiel, and Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, who bore Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Jess
HYMN OF THE DAY We Are Yearning For the Season Dale Wood
APOSTLE’S CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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 THE PEOPLE
In our waiting and watching, we come to you in prayer, O God,
trusting your promise to renew the church, the nations, and the whole creation.
A brief silence.
God of the people, we come seeking wisdom and instruction. Uphold and strengthen lay leaders, teachers, deacons, pastors, and bishops. Teach us your ways and lead us in your paths.
God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of the earth, we seek your goodness in the grandeur of creation. Empower us to care for forests and oceans, as we see you in the world around us. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of the nations, grant wisdom to leaders, judges, and mediators. Cast out words of hate and transform them into words for building up community. Remake weapons of war into tools that will sow peace. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of healing, bring comfort and strength. We pray for our kindred and companions who are ill or despairing especially Karen, Bert, Bill, Mary, Cheryl, John, Lloyd & Sue, all those affected by addiction or mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders. Surround all with care and consolation. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of new possibilities, when addiction wounds, jealousy tears down, and relationships fray, show us how to journey with one another. Nurture therapists, counselors, and sponsors in their care for others. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of comfort and consolation, pour out your blessing on these prayer shawls and baptismal blankets. May every single stitch bring a reminder of your love and the love and care of this congregation to those who receive them. We thank you for the hands that have created them, and ask your blessing on the hands and bodies that will receive them. God of grace, hear our prayer.
God of all time, build up our lives that we would reflect your grace. At the last, bring us with all the saints to your holy city where peace and goodness make a home. God of grace, hear our prayer.
Draw near to us, O God, as we commend all for whom we pray,
trusting in your mercy through Jesus Christ, Emmanuel. Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING
(Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of the bulletin)
ANTHEM In the Stillness Arlen Clarke
Chancel Choir
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS O Come, O Come, Emmanuel ELW 257
1 O come, O 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.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray: Holy God, we offer who we are and what we have, trusting that in your care, these gifts bring your dreams closer to our reality. Help us steward these resources to create abundant life and love. Amen.
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MEAL |
DIALOGUE
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.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, to give thanks to you, holy God, for your liberating and courageous life. You taught us how to hope in the midst of destruction. You modeled how to disrupt systems of power and imagine a new way of life and love. You placed within us the sacred desire for a world made whole. And so, with your people on earth and all the saints who have gone before us, we praise your name and join the unending hymn:
SANCTUS
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy are you, and blessed is your name, O God,
At this table, you model the power of mercy and not might, the power of love and not hate.
You reorient us and give us the will to dream once more.
We receive this bread and this cup in the same spirit of defiant love
that you brought to earth in the life of your beloved Son.
In the night before he was betrayed, 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.
Because of these simple and remarkable acts, we offer ourselves to be your hands and feet,
and we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Holy God, we have seen and heard the dreams of the prophets.
We have witnessed the power-defying acts of Jesus.
As we gather for this abundant feast with enough for all to come and be fed.
We ask that you transform this bread and cup
into hope that sustains our lives of prophetic imagination. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
| 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. |
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. |
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
The table has been set. Come, taste and see what God provides.
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence. We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament. Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer),
and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
ANGUS DEI
COMMUNION SONGS Now the Heavens Start to Whisper ACS 901
Light Dawns on a Weary World ELW 726
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray: Creator of all good things,
you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of blessing.
May the hope of the Lord’s table accompany us on our journeys from here. Amen.
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SENDING |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
As God sends you out into the world, may you embrace the will to dream.
May hope fill you and fuel you for the days ahead. Amen.
SENDING HYMN Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers ELW 244
DISMISSAL
Go in hope. Hold fast to God’s promises. Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland BWV 599 J. S. Bach
Yeon Soh, organ
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Kristen Tichenor
Lector Darlene Zuehl
Communion Presenters Josh & Lauren Pajak
Ushers Jim Scanlon and John Moran
Director of Music Kirby Stalley
Organist Yeon Soh
Chancel Choir Marilyn Banderet, Bruce Grams, Garrick Grant, David Hoyt, Katrina Lewonczyk, Karen Morrissey, Eliot Overholt, Ernie Zimmermann
Altar Care Elaine Martin and Stephanie Leclair
Livestream Operator Ernie Zimmermann
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS007028. New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Liturgy adapted from Illustrated Ministry LLC, © 2025. 30 November Hymn Based.docx
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