December 4, 2022
St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Cary, IL
Prelude
Announcements
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Deeply planted in the mystery of life is God’s love, gracing the world with presence and purpose.
People of God: We wait, longing for the dawning of God’s new day.
We prepare, trying to make room.
People of God: We are expectant and despairing, hopeful and wondering.
God too longs for the world’s transformation.
People of God: God too prepares—making us ready to receive light and love, making us ready to receive anew God’s great gift.
Deeply planted in the mystery of life is a breath whispering hope in the silence.
The second candle is lit.
Let us pray: God of peace,
People of God: we give you thanks for the gift of light and for the mystery of darkness that gives light meaning. Let the light of this candle guide us in peace, so we can recognize you when you come to live among us, through the gift of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn ELW #240 Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah v. 1-2 Gloria Peetz
Light one candle to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness.
He shall bring salvation to Israel, God fulfills the promise.
Light two candles to watch for Messiah: let the light banish darkness. He shall feed the flock like a shepherd, gently lead them homeward
Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954 Text © 1984 Fortress Press, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Confession and Forgiveness Beloved, now is the time to wake from sleep. Let us confront our sins and confess them to the one who is merciful and just.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of new beginnings,
People of God: we confess that we have not welcomed your holy reign. We have strayed from your paths. We prepare for war instead of peace. We dishonor one another and your creation. Purify us with your refining fire and set us again on your way of love, that we may bear fruit worthy of repentance, and welcome your coming among us. Amen. People of God, a new thing is growing in our midst, a tender branch, a living sign. By water and the Spirit you are joined to this wonder. You have put on ☩ Christ, and your sins have been washed away. Rejoice in the way of the Lord. People of God: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. God of light, you sent a savior into the world to bring justice and release to all who are in bondage. Shine this light upon us, and show us how to bring justice and peace to all who suffer. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. People of God: Amen.
Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9 Assisting Minister: This passage was written to people traumatized by seeing their city destroyed and their family and friends forcibly taken away to a foreign land. Despite the fact that their captivity was the result of their choice to turn away from God, they felt that God had abandoned them. These words from God read almost like a love letter from God, reminding the people that they have not been left alone and that God will send a servant who will both suffer along with them and usher in new life and righteousness.
1Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
3a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
5Thus says God, the LORD,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it|
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
7to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8I am the LORD, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.
9See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.
The word of the Lord. People of God: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
Prayers of the People
Assisting Minister: We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.
A brief silence.
Assisting Minister: O God of the church, grant us your light that we might bear it to a world of darkness. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: O God of all creation, grant healing and renewal to the earth that its splendors inspire our joy and praise. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: O God above all nations, grant the world wise and compassionate leaders that all people know your justice and peace. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: O God of light, grant hope to the hopeless and peace to the anxious as we await the coming of Christ. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: O God of healing, grant wholeness to the broken and comfort to those in pain especially Barb, Cecil (See-sil), Marlene, Ryleigh, Dylan, Sandy, Hopie (Hope-y), the Lang family, the Mauger (maw-ger) family, Susan, the Bredemus (bread-a-mus) family, Allen, Bunny, Jeanne, the Vogt (vote) family, Richard, Pat, Pete, Dick, Karen, Patricia, Michael, Nicholas and his family, Beth, Jim, Kara (car-a), Betty, Tom, Lorie and her family, Pastor Kara (car-a) and those we name silently or aloud <pause> that the suffering of the world be eased. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: O God of this place and time, grant us boldness in our witness to your light and love. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Please offer your own prayers of joy or concern, ending with “Lord, in your mercy,”
We respond with “hear our prayer.”
Assisting Minister: O God of all time, grant us the assurance of eternal life that the example of the saints before us lives on in our lives. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. People of God: Amen.
Hymn ELW #253 He Came Down
He came down that we may have love;
he came down that we may have love;
he came down that we may have love;
hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have light;
he came down that we may have light;
he came down that we may have light;
hallelujah forevermore.
Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by
He came down that we may have peace;
he came down that we may have peace;
he came down that we may have peace;
hallelujah forevermore.
He came down that we may have joy;
he came down that we may have joy;
he came down that we may have joy;
hallelujah forevermore.
Text: Cameroon traditional
Children’s Sermon Rev. Sarah Wilson
The Peace
(Please share peace by waving or showing the peace sign.)
The peace of Christ be with you always. People of God: And also with you.
Offering
Let us pray. Eternal God, you make the desert bloom and send springs of water to thirsty ground. Receive these simple gifts of bread, wine, time, talent, and money, and make us messengers of your mercy and love for all in need of your healing and justice. We ask this through Christ our Savior. People of God: Amen.
Communion
The Lord be with you.
People of God: And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
eople of God: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People of God: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; he 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.
And now let us pray with confidence in the words that Jesus taught us:
People of God: 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 Communion
Assisting Minister: Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, who has come to save you.
For our at-home worshippers, you may take communion using these words:
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Table Blessing
And now may the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. People of God: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Faithful God, in this meal you have remembered your mercy, bringing heaven to earth in the body and blood of Christ. As we wait for the day when all your promises will be fulfilled, sustain us and strengthen us by this holy mystery. Guide us toward your promised future, coming to birth in Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. People of God: Amen.
Blessing
God the eternal Word, who dwells with us in Jesus, and who holds us in the grace of the Holy Spirit, ☩ bless you now and forever. People of God: Amen.
Sending Hymn ELW #715 Christ be Our Light
Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.
Refrain
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice. Refrain
Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed. Refrain
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone. Refrain
Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,signs of your kingdom come. Refrain
Text: Bernadette Farrell, b. 1957 Text © 1993 Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP Publications. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Dismissal
Assisting Minister: Go in peace. Christ is near. People of God: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Thank you to those serving us today
Pastor: Rev. Sarah Wilson
Worship Assistant: Lorena Skelley
Acolyte: Adam Vogt
Music: Gloria Peetz Song Leader:
Altar Guild: Dianne Brooks
Usher/Greeter: John and Denise Ulaszek
Sound Board: Sally Skalany
AV Tech: Mark Gates and ?
Counter: Marianne Barstow and Karen McKune
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved
Lighting of the Advent Wreath liturgy based on the work of Rev. Teri Peterson and Rev. Nathan Williams
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