Bulletin – Sunday, December 1, 2024 – First Sunday of Advent / Communion
Sunday, December 1, 2024
First Sunday of Advent / Communion
We Gather as People of Faith
Welcome
Announcements
Call to Worship
One: We gather on the first Sunday of Advent.
All: We gather as companions of the Christ whose birth we remember…
One: We gather as companions of the Christ whose birth we await…
All: We gather as people of hope.
Hymn – “Once in Royal David’s City” (UV #62)
Once in royal David’s city stood a lowly cattle shed,
Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed.
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from heaven who, with God, is over all,
And his shelter was a stable, and his cradle was a stall.
There among the poor and lowly lived on earth our Saviour holy.
And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love;
For that child who seemed so helpless is our Lord in heaven above;
And he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.
Lighting the Advent Candles
One: Today is the first Sunday in the season of Advent. Christian faith communities throughout the world will, today, be lighting the candle of hope. This morning, we light the candle of hope.
One: We light a candle of hope.
All: This small, single flame brings light into the world.
One: This Advent we remember Jesus, who brought light into the world.
All: This Advent we prepare for the birth of Jesus, bearer of light.
One: Jesus, bearer of hope…
All: Jesus the Christ, God’s gift of hope for the world.
Sung Response – “Light a Candle”
Light a candle for hope in the darkness,
Minds at rest, we know you are near;
Advent watching and waiting for Jesus,
God with us, redeeming the years,
Emmanuel, hope is here;
Hope is here!
Prayer of Approach and Confession
God, prepare our hearts again for the birth of Christ. Renew hope that is diminished. Open our hearts to Your love embodied in Jesus. Lead us again to the Bethlehem birth.
Words of Assurance
Sung Response – “Come, Come Emmanuel” (MV #11)
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Come, come Emmanuel, Come, Emmanuel.
We Hear God’s Word
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16
14 The 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. 15 In 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. 16 In 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.”
Scripture Reading: Luke 21:25-36
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. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven 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, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be 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.”
May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!
Hymn – “Longing for 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.
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 power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
Share until all are fed.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
Walls made of living stone.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Many the gifts, many the people,
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.
Meditation
Anthem – “Celtic Advent Carol”
Be not afraid, I bring you good news.
The Saviour is coming in glory to you.
He shall be called “God’s Holy One.”
Will you be ready for Him when He comes?
Light the candle, Jesus is coming.
Open your hearts, prepare ye the way.
Sleepers awake, for soon is the dawning.
He will turn night into glorious day.
Be of good cheer and put away fear,
The light now is coming to dry every tear.
Love now with us, God’s perfect Son.
Will you be ready for Him when he comes?
Light the candle, Jesus is coming.
Open your hearts, prepare ye the way.
Sleepers awake, for soon is the dawning.
He will turn night into glorious day.
Veni, Emmanuel. (Come, Emmanuel)
Captivum solve Israel. (Come now and ransom Israel)
Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming.
Could He be coming today.
Light the candle, Jesus is coming.
Open your hearts, prepare ye the way.
Sleepers awake, for soon is the dawning.
He will turn night into glorious day.
We Respond to God’s Word
Invitation to Share
Offering Response – “In this Advent Time of Waiting”
In this Advent time of waiting may we serve the Prince of Peace.
Share our gifts with those around us, joy and hope in all increase.
Dream the vision, tell the story, healing bring to those in need.
Share the promises once more, Christ is near, who came before.
Offering Prayer
Hymn – “Jesus, You Have Called Us”
Jesus, you have called us to your table here.
By your invitation all are blest and dear.
Bringing our gifts, we meet each other here.
Christ we come rejoicing! Come, O Christ appear!
In this feast of mercy, Christ, we thirst for you.
Open wide our hearts to what your love will do.
Make us your Cup, the Manger, where you lay.
Love made flesh among us, Christ be born today.
Prayers for the People
Communion
One: The Spirit of God be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts;
All: We lift them to God.
One: Give thanks to our God!
All: All our thanks, all our praise!
Communion Prayer
One: Blessings and thanks to you, Creator God, who in the beginning brought light and life to the world and who continues to bring it love and light everlasting. Your song of wisdom echoes through the ages, your ancient promise still brings us hope.
Over the ages you have called people to embrace your hope and share your love. But even when they have closed their ears to the song you did not stop singing. You sent prophets and messengers to your people, reminding them of the promised time of peace and justice that would surround the world.
Your messenger came to a young woman named Mary promising her a son, who would be called Jesus, promising her that in her son the world would be changed.
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we remember his life. We remember how he invited everyone to the Banquet of Hope, openly eating with the despised and the outcast.
We remember one special meal, that he ate with his closest friends. At the end of the meal he took bread, blessed and broke it, then passed it to them saying: Take and eat. This bread is the body of Life, broken by the world. Eat it in remembrance and in hope.
After that he took the cup, blessed it, and passed it to them saying: This cup is the sign of the New Covenant. Whenever you drink it remember me.
Remembering the birth of the child in the stable, we remember also his life, his death, and his resurrection. We remember how he poured his love out on all he met and look forward to his return and coming reign of peace, love, and justice. We ask Your blessing on us as we share this communion:
All: God, pour out your Spirit upon us gathered here. As we eat and drink may we know your presence. As we eat and drink may we be opened to the possibilities of your hope and power. In this Advent time of waiting for peace and justice, give us love and courage to make the Christmas promise a reality. Amen.
Breaking Pouring Sharing
Prayer after Communion
Thank you, O gracious God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world united in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
We Go Into God’s World
Hymn – “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (VU #64)
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary; and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to all on earth.
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessed gift of heaven.
No ear may hear his coming; but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in.
O holy child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in; be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.
Commissioning and Benediction
Response – “May the God of Hope”
May the God of hope go with us every day,
Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
Bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace,
Singing, share our joy with all,
Working for a world that’s new,
Faithful when we hear Christ’s call.
