Through the valley...with Christ
THE WAY OF THE JOURNEY – Adviento 2012
_________________________ First Sunday
MARTYRDOM WITH CHRIST
Key to an Enduring Reign of Justice and Righteousness
Moral uprightness--in public and private affairs--remains an idle hope until we join the righteous Branch from God in pursuing it for ourselves and our nation. Jeremiah 33:15
CONGREGATION
GATHERING
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:10
And now let the weak say I am strong Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us Give thanks...
GREETINGS
The light of the Lord's righteousness shine upon us all.
That we may justly pursue the reformation of the nation.
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again. Let us pray that we may always be ready to welcome him.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Lighting of the First Candle
We light this candle - a symbol of the Lord's righteousness - as we recall and claim to our heart's comfort the promise of the Lord...
In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth for David; and he shall execute justice and
righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 33:15
May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way of righteousness and in self-offering with Christ
earnestly pursue it.
HYMN OF PRAISE
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
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Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem, |
Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
Oh come, our Dayspring from on high
Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
Hymn # 31 from Lutheran Worship Translated: John Neal, 1818-66
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INVOCATION
CONFESSION
CALL TO CONFESSION
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. Psalm 25:8
SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION
THE LORD'S PRAYER
CLEANSING
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. Psalm 25:9
THE PEACE
Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.
GLORIA PATRI
COMMUNION
OFFERING
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all men... 1 Thessalonians 3:12
COMMUNITY CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
READING OF SCRIPTURES
First Lesson : Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalter : Psalm 25:1-10
Second Lesson : 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Third Lesson : Luke 21:25-36
BREAK THOU THE BREAD OF LIFE
ANTHEM
REFLECTION
I BELIEVE
THE LORD'S TABLE
CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP
But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36
HYMN OF DEDICATION
O Day of God, Draw Nigh
1. O day of God, draw nigh
in beauty and in power;
come with thy timeless judgment now
to match our present hour.
2. Bring to our troubled minds,
uncertain and afraid,
the quiet of a steadfast faith,
calm of a call obeyed.
3. Bring justice to our land,
that all may dwell secure,
and finely build for days to come
foundations that endure.
4. Bring to our world of strife
thy sovereign word of peace,
that war may haunt the earth no more,
and desolation cease.
5. O day of God, draw nigh
as at creation's birth;
let there be light again,
and set thy judgments on the earth.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
COMMISSION
WORDS OF MISSION
Go forth in peace and share the good news : Enduring justice and righteousness in our land may yet be realized in this our own time as we join the righteous Branch from God in executing "justice and righteousness in the land" though it may mean
martyrdom with Christ
THE BENEDICTION
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen