All Hallows Morning and Evening Worship for Sunday (December 11, 2022)
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday's Morning and Evening Worship is adapted from the service provided in A New Zealand Prayer Book (2020) for those occasions of public worship for which there is a need for a Service of the Word. The service is loosely modeled on Morning and Evening Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer.
Morning Worship begins at the top of the page. Scroll down the page for the beginning of Evening Worship.
MORNING WORSHIP
THE PREPARATION
The leader may greet the other participants.
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Jesus said, ‘No one more important than
John the Baptist has ever been born;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he.’
Amen. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
The third candle is lit and this response is used
Jesus is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can ever put out.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Earey’s “Advent Candles Tell Their Story.”
Advent candles tell their story
as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory,
‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
changed for gladness
on that Day.
Morning Worship begins at the top of the page. Scroll down the page for the beginning of Evening Worship.
MORNING WORSHIP
THE PREPARATION
The leader may greet the other participants.
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Jesus said, ‘No one more important than
John the Baptist has ever been born;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he.’
Amen. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
The third candle is lit and this response is used
Jesus is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can ever put out.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Earey’s “Advent Candles Tell Their Story.”
Advent candles tell their story
as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory,
‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
changed for gladness
on that Day.
Prophet voices loudly crying,
making pathways clear;
glimpsing glory, self-denying,
calling all to hear.
Through their message - challenged, shaken –
hearts awaken: God is near!
John the Baptist, by his preaching
and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching
news of hope restored:
‘Keep your vision strong and steady,
and be ready
for the Lord.’
Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
making pathways clear;
glimpsing glory, self-denying,
calling all to hear.
Through their message - challenged, shaken –
hearts awaken: God is near!
John the Baptist, by his preaching
and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching
news of hope restored:
‘Keep your vision strong and steady,
and be ready
for the Lord.’
Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
1 When the King shall come again
all his power revealing,
splendor shall announce his reign,
life and joy and healing:
earth no longer in decay,
hope no more frustrated;
this is God's redemption day
longingly awaited.
all his power revealing,
splendor shall announce his reign,
life and joy and healing:
earth no longer in decay,
hope no more frustrated;
this is God's redemption day
longingly awaited.
2 In the desert trees take root
fresh from his creation;
plants and flowers and sweetest fruit
join the celebration.
Rivers spring up from the earth,
barren lands adorning;
valleys, this is your new birth,
mountains, greet the morning!
3 Strengthen feeble hands and knees,
fainting hearts, be cheerful!
God who comes for such as these
seeks and saves the fearful.
Deaf ears hear the silent tongues
sing away their weeping;
blind eyes see the lifeless ones
walking, running, leaping.
4 There God's highway shall be seen
where no roaring lion,
nothing evil or unclean
walks the road to Zion:
ransomed people homeward bound
all your praises voicing,
see your Lord with glory crowned,
share in his rejoicing!
fresh from his creation;
plants and flowers and sweetest fruit
join the celebration.
Rivers spring up from the earth,
barren lands adorning;
valleys, this is your new birth,
mountains, greet the morning!
3 Strengthen feeble hands and knees,
fainting hearts, be cheerful!
God who comes for such as these
seeks and saves the fearful.
Deaf ears hear the silent tongues
sing away their weeping;
blind eyes see the lifeless ones
walking, running, leaping.
4 There God's highway shall be seen
where no roaring lion,
nothing evil or unclean
walks the road to Zion:
ransomed people homeward bound
all your praises voicing,
see your Lord with glory crowned,
share in his rejoicing!
Hear these words of scripture.
Love one another,
for love is of God,
and whoever loves is born of God and knows God.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.
Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.
Silence
Let us confess our sins to God.
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Savior Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Almighty God, you pardon all who truly repent,
forgive us sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Open a link in a new tab to hear Dale A. Witte’s arrangement of the Venite, “Come, O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord Our Savior!” for cantor or choir and assembly.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
1 Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving.
Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
2 For the Lord is a great God and great King above all gods.
The deep places of the earth are in his hands.
The heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his and formed the dry land.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
3 Oh, come let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are his people,
the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
Love one another,
for love is of God,
and whoever loves is born of God and knows God.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.
Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.
Silence
Let us confess our sins to God.
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Savior Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Almighty God, you pardon all who truly repent,
forgive us sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Open a link in a new tab to hear Dale A. Witte’s arrangement of the Venite, “Come, O Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord Our Savior!” for cantor or choir and assembly.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
1 Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving.
Let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
2 For the Lord is a great God and great King above all gods.
The deep places of the earth are in his hands.
The heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and his and formed the dry land.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
3 Oh, come let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before our Maker.
For he is our God, and we are his people,
the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord our Savior!
Come, O come, let us sing to the Lord!
Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Haas’ setting of Psalm 146, “Praise the Lord, My Soul!”
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The God of Jacob keeps faith,
securing justice for the oppressed,
giving food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The God of Jacob keeps faith,
securing justice for the oppressed,
giving food to the hungry.
The Lord sets captives free.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The Lord gives sight to the blind;
the Lord raises those who bow down.
The Lord loves the just;
the Lord protects strangers.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The Lord sustains the widow,
but the wicked he thwarts.
The Lord shall reign forever;
your God through all generations.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
Open this link in a new tab to hear Omer Westendorf’s “Praise God in His Holy Dwelling,” based on Psalm 150: 1-6.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1 Praise God in his holy dwelling.
Praise him on his mighty throne
Praise him for his wonderful deeds
Praise him for his sovereign majesty!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 Praise him with the blast of trumpet;
Praise him now with lyre and harp;
Praise him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise him with the sound of string and reed.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praise him with resounding cymbals;
With cymbals that crash give praise;
O let ev’rything that has breath,
Let all living creatures praise the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, the almighty Father;
Praise Christ, his beloved Son;
Give praise to the Spirit of love;
Forever the triune God be praised.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
the Lord raises those who bow down.
The Lord loves the just;
the Lord protects strangers.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
The Lord sustains the widow,
but the wicked he thwarts.
The Lord shall reign forever;
your God through all generations.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, my soul!
Open this link in a new tab to hear Omer Westendorf’s “Praise God in His Holy Dwelling,” based on Psalm 150: 1-6.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1 Praise God in his holy dwelling.
Praise him on his mighty throne
Praise him for his wonderful deeds
Praise him for his sovereign majesty!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 Praise him with the blast of trumpet;
Praise him now with lyre and harp;
Praise him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise him with the sound of string and reed.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praise him with resounding cymbals;
With cymbals that crash give praise;
O let ev’rything that has breath,
Let all living creatures praise the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, the almighty Father;
Praise Christ, his beloved Son;
Give praise to the Spirit of love;
Forever the triune God be praised.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Silence
The Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1–10
The Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1–10
Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days.
The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,
the splendor of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.
The parched ground will become a pool,
and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish
where desert jackals once lived.
And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
fools will never walk there.
Lions will not lurk along its course,
nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Jerusalem singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
Silence follows the reading.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Songs for the Masses Songs from the Scriptures’ adaptation of the Magna et Mirabilia, “Who Will Not Fear You – Revelation 15.”
The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers
and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon,
as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,
the splendor of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.
The parched ground will become a pool,
and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish
where desert jackals once lived.
And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways;
fools will never walk there.
Lions will not lurk along its course,
nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.
They will enter Jerusalem singing,
crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear,
and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
Silence follows the reading.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Songs for the Masses Songs from the Scriptures’ adaptation of the Magna et Mirabilia, “Who Will Not Fear You – Revelation 15.”
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Who will not fear you?
Who will not fear you,
O Lord?
And bring glory to your name
You alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you
your judgments made known.
Who will not fear you?
Who will not fear you,
O Lord?
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Who will not fear you?
Who will not fear you,
O Lord?
Who will not fear you?
Who will not fear you,
O Lord?
The Reading from the New Testament: Matthew 11:2–11
John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way before you.’
“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
Silence follows the reading.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab and click on the mp3 audio play button to hear Jesse Manibusan’s setting of the Gloria in Excelsis, “Glory to God Most High.”
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
Who will not fear you,
O Lord?
And bring glory to your name
You alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship before you
your judgments made known.
Who will not fear you?
Who will not fear you,
O Lord?
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Who will not fear you?
Who will not fear you,
O Lord?
Who will not fear you?
Who will not fear you,
O Lord?
The Reading from the New Testament: Matthew 11:2–11
John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.”
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say,
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way before you.’
“I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
Silence follows the reading.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab and click on the mp3 audio play button to hear Jesse Manibusan’s setting of the Gloria in Excelsis, “Glory to God Most High.”
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
Lord God, heavenly King,
Almighty God and Father,
we worship you,
we give you thanks,
we praise you for Your glory.
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
O Lord Jesus Christ,
only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world:
Lord, have mercy on us;
Lord, have mercy on us,
You are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer,
(receive our prayer).
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
For you alone are the Holy One,
You alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Almighty God and Father,
we worship you,
we give you thanks,
we praise you for Your glory.
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
O Lord Jesus Christ,
only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world:
Lord, have mercy on us;
Lord, have mercy on us,
You are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer,
(receive our prayer).
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
For you alone are the Holy One,
You alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
(Amen.)
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
Glory to God Most High!
Glory to God Most High.
Silence
In this morning’s New Testament reading, Matthew 11:2–11, we learn that John the Baptist may have been experiencing some doubts as to whether Jesus was the Messiah. John’s imprisonment may have been a contributing factor. John had run afoul of Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great and tetrarch, or governor, of Galilee, the province in which he carried out his ministry.
After Herod the Great’s death, his kingdom was divided into four provinces, three of which were ruled by one of his sons and the fourth by a daughter.
Herod Antipas had divorced his wife and married one of his brother’s wives, Herodias. He would order John’s arrest because John was an extremely vocal critic of the marriage.
John may have languished in prison for as long as ten months before Herodias’ daughter Salome, at her mother’s instigation, tricked Herod Antipas into ordering his beheading.
John’s followers apparently were able to visit him in prison and they told him about all the things Jesus had done since his imprisonment. John sent a delegation to Jesus to inquire whether he was the Messiah. The question they ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” sounds like they are asking for themselves more than they were asking for John.
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory in the highest!
Glory! Glory to God!
Glory to God Most High!
Glory to God Most High!
Glory to God Most High.
Silence
Jesus, our Savior and our Judge
In this morning’s New Testament reading, Matthew 11:2–11, we learn that John the Baptist may have been experiencing some doubts as to whether Jesus was the Messiah. John’s imprisonment may have been a contributing factor. John had run afoul of Herod Antipas, a son of Herod the Great and tetrarch, or governor, of Galilee, the province in which he carried out his ministry.
After Herod the Great’s death, his kingdom was divided into four provinces, three of which were ruled by one of his sons and the fourth by a daughter.
Herod Antipas had divorced his wife and married one of his brother’s wives, Herodias. He would order John’s arrest because John was an extremely vocal critic of the marriage.
John may have languished in prison for as long as ten months before Herodias’ daughter Salome, at her mother’s instigation, tricked Herod Antipas into ordering his beheading.
John’s followers apparently were able to visit him in prison and they told him about all the things Jesus had done since his imprisonment. John sent a delegation to Jesus to inquire whether he was the Messiah. The question they ask Jesus, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?” sounds like they are asking for themselves more than they were asking for John.
John may have harbored doubts. At the same time, he also must have known that his days were numbered. Herod Antipas was not likely to release him to wait for the Messiah if Jesus was not the Messiah.
In those days imprisonment was not a punishment. Prisoners did not serve a sentence and then went free. They could expect to suffer a painful death in one of the various barbaric ways they executed people in that day and time. Or be sent to a slow death in the salt mines or galleys. The delegation’s choice of words suggests that they may have been speaking for themselves. They may have expected the Messiah to deliver John from his imprisonment. The narrative does not tell us.
Jesus’s answer is to point to their attention that he has been fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in this morning’s Old Testament reading, Isaiah 35: 1-10:
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
In referring to this prophesy, Jesus is not just reassuring John and his follower that he is the Messiah, but he is also claiming to be God!
It was in his fulfillment of prophecies like this one in the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament, the early Christians found support for what they had come to believe: Jesus was indeed who he claimed to be—the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One of God, God himself enrobed in human flesh.
John the Baptist may have experienced doubts because he, like the Old Testament prophets, did clearly distinguish between the first coming and the second coming of the Messiah. He did not seem to understand that the Messiah would come twice, the first time as our Savior and the second time as our Judge. In his message John focused more on Christ’s second coming than on his first.
Jesus himself taught that he would come again. The first time he came was to reconcile humanity to God. His suffering and death on the cross would play a part in that reconciliation. He also came to teach humankind about the character of God and the way to live our lives in a manner pleasing to God. He entrusted to his disciples a task which they were to carry out until he came again—to make disciples, to baptize them, and to instruct them in what he taught.
When he comes the second time, he will come to judge the living and the dead. He will come in his full glory. With his coming again in minds the apostle Paul writes—
…all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father (Philippians 2: 11 MSG).
With Christmas Eve only two weeks away it tempting to focus on Christ’s first coming during the remaining days of the Advent Season. But if we are to take a balanced view of Christ and to be faithful to his message and his teaching, we must also focus on Christ’s second coming as well as his first, not just in the Advent Season but year round.
The babe who was born to a humble mother and laid in a manger would during his earthly ministry call to repentance those who had allowed their own desires to become between them and God and to turn away from these desires and to turn to God. He would warn them of the consequences of failing to have such a change of heart.
That same babe grown to adulthood would teach his disciples and the multitude on the mountainside, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21 NLT).
Let us take these words with the seriousness with which Jesus would have us take them. Let us turn away from the things that come between us and God and with God’s help seek to live lives of trust, obedience, and love as did Jesus.
Silence
Let us affirm our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there 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.
Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear when we pray
in the name of your Son.
Therefore in confidence and trust
we pray for the Church:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.
Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.
We pray for the world:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Creator of all,
lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.
Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.
We pray for the community:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.
Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
We pray for those in need:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of hope, comfort and restore
all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.
Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith
of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.
We praise you for (N and) all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.
We pray for ourselves and our ministries:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered and the prayers
conclude with the following.)
Lord, you have called us to serve you.
Grant that we may walk in your presence:
your love in our hearts,
your truth in our minds,
your strength in our wills;
until, at the end of our journey,
we know the joy of our homecoming
and the welcome of your embrace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Terror and doom, and wrath to come,
John your herald preached
to bring us to repentance;
open our eyes, almighty God,
show us our sin, and grant us forgiveness.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
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,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Hal Hopson’s choral arrangement of Sylvia Dunstan’s hymn, “Bless Now, O God, This Journey.”
1 Bless now, O God, this journey that all your people make,
The path thro' noise and silence, the way of give and take.
The trail is found in desert and winds the mountain round,
Then leads beside still waters, the road where faith is found.
2 Bless sojourners and pilgrims who share this winding way;
Whose hope burns thro' the terrors, whose love sustains the day.
We yearn for holy freedom while often we are bound;
Together we are seeking the road where faith is found.
3 Divine Eternal Lover, you meet us on the road.
We wait for lands of promise where milk and honey flow,
But waiting not for places, you meet us all around.
Our covenant is written on roads, as faith is found.
THE DISMISSAL
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.
EVENING WORSHIP
THE PREPARATION
The leader may greet the other participants.
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Jesus said, ‘No one more important than
John the Baptist has ever been born;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he.’
Amen. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
The third candle is lit and this response is used
Jesus is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can ever put out.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Earey’s “Advent Candles Tell Their Story.”
Advent candles tell their story
as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory,
‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
changed for gladness
on that Day.
Prophet voices loudly crying,
making pathways clear;
glimpsing glory, self-denying,
calling all to hear.
Through their message - challenged, shaken –
hearts awaken: God is near!
John the Baptist, by his preaching
and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching
news of hope restored:
‘Keep your vision strong and steady,
and be ready
for the Lord.’
Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
Open this link to hear Timothy Shaw’s arrangement of Frans Mikael Franzen’s “Prepare the Royal Highway.”
1 Prepare the royal highway;
The King of kings is near!
Let every hill and valley
A level road appear!
Then greet the King of glory,
Foretold in sacred story;
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God’s Word!
2 Then fling the gates wide open
To greet your promised king!
Your king, yet every nation
Its tribute too may bring.
All lands will bow before him;
Their voices join your singing:
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God’s Word!
3 His is no earthly kingdom;
It comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom
And justice, truth, and love.
So let your praise be sounding
For kindness so abounding:
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God’s Word!
Hear these words of scripture.
Love one another,
for love is of God,
and whoever loves is born of God and knows God.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.
Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.
Silence
Let us confess our sins to God.
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Savior Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Almighty God, you pardon all who truly repent,
forgive us sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
*Open this link in a new tab and click on the mp3 audio play button to hear David Erby’s setting of Psalm 134, “Behold, Bless the Lord.”
[1] Behold, bless the Lord,
All you servants of the Lord,
Who by night stand in the house of the Lord!
[2] Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the Lord.
[3] The Lord who made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!
*This setting is sung as a three-part canon.
Open this link to hear Marty Haugen’s setting of Psalm 25, “To You, O Lord."
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
To you, I lift my soul.
Lord, make me know your ways,
teach me your paths
and keep me in the way of your truth,
for you are God, my Savior.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
To you, I lift my soul.
For the Lord is good and righteous,
revealing the way to those who seek God,
gently leading the poor and the humble.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
To you, I lift my soul.
To the ones who seek you, Lord,
who look to your Word,
who live your love,
you will always be near,
you will show them your mercy.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
To you, I lift my soul.
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Crown and the Covenant’s arrangement of Psalm 117, “Praise the Lord.”
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
All you nations.
Extol him! Extol him!
All you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord
endures forever.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
All you nations.
Extol him! Extol him!
All you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord
endures forever.
In those days imprisonment was not a punishment. Prisoners did not serve a sentence and then went free. They could expect to suffer a painful death in one of the various barbaric ways they executed people in that day and time. Or be sent to a slow death in the salt mines or galleys. The delegation’s choice of words suggests that they may have been speaking for themselves. They may have expected the Messiah to deliver John from his imprisonment. The narrative does not tell us.
Jesus’s answer is to point to their attention that he has been fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy in this morning’s Old Testament reading, Isaiah 35: 1-10:
Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
In referring to this prophesy, Jesus is not just reassuring John and his follower that he is the Messiah, but he is also claiming to be God!
It was in his fulfillment of prophecies like this one in the Hebrew Bible, our Old Testament, the early Christians found support for what they had come to believe: Jesus was indeed who he claimed to be—the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One of God, God himself enrobed in human flesh.
John the Baptist may have experienced doubts because he, like the Old Testament prophets, did clearly distinguish between the first coming and the second coming of the Messiah. He did not seem to understand that the Messiah would come twice, the first time as our Savior and the second time as our Judge. In his message John focused more on Christ’s second coming than on his first.
Jesus himself taught that he would come again. The first time he came was to reconcile humanity to God. His suffering and death on the cross would play a part in that reconciliation. He also came to teach humankind about the character of God and the way to live our lives in a manner pleasing to God. He entrusted to his disciples a task which they were to carry out until he came again—to make disciples, to baptize them, and to instruct them in what he taught.
When he comes the second time, he will come to judge the living and the dead. He will come in his full glory. With his coming again in minds the apostle Paul writes—
…all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father (Philippians 2: 11 MSG).
With Christmas Eve only two weeks away it tempting to focus on Christ’s first coming during the remaining days of the Advent Season. But if we are to take a balanced view of Christ and to be faithful to his message and his teaching, we must also focus on Christ’s second coming as well as his first, not just in the Advent Season but year round.
The babe who was born to a humble mother and laid in a manger would during his earthly ministry call to repentance those who had allowed their own desires to become between them and God and to turn away from these desires and to turn to God. He would warn them of the consequences of failing to have such a change of heart.
That same babe grown to adulthood would teach his disciples and the multitude on the mountainside, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21 NLT).
Let us take these words with the seriousness with which Jesus would have us take them. Let us turn away from the things that come between us and God and with God’s help seek to live lives of trust, obedience, and love as did Jesus.
Silence
Let us affirm our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there 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.
Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear when we pray
in the name of your Son.
Therefore in confidence and trust
we pray for the Church:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.
Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.
We pray for the world:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Creator of all,
lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.
Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.
We pray for the community:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.
Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
We pray for those in need:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of hope, comfort and restore
all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.
Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith
of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.
We praise you for (N and) all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.
We pray for ourselves and our ministries:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered and the prayers
conclude with the following.)
Lord, you have called us to serve you.
Grant that we may walk in your presence:
your love in our hearts,
your truth in our minds,
your strength in our wills;
until, at the end of our journey,
we know the joy of our homecoming
and the welcome of your embrace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Terror and doom, and wrath to come,
John your herald preached
to bring us to repentance;
open our eyes, almighty God,
show us our sin, and grant us forgiveness.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
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,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Hal Hopson’s choral arrangement of Sylvia Dunstan’s hymn, “Bless Now, O God, This Journey.”
1 Bless now, O God, this journey that all your people make,
The path thro' noise and silence, the way of give and take.
The trail is found in desert and winds the mountain round,
Then leads beside still waters, the road where faith is found.
2 Bless sojourners and pilgrims who share this winding way;
Whose hope burns thro' the terrors, whose love sustains the day.
We yearn for holy freedom while often we are bound;
Together we are seeking the road where faith is found.
3 Divine Eternal Lover, you meet us on the road.
We wait for lands of promise where milk and honey flow,
But waiting not for places, you meet us all around.
Our covenant is written on roads, as faith is found.
THE DISMISSAL
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.
EVENING WORSHIP
THE PREPARATION
The leader may greet the other participants.
THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
Jesus said, ‘No one more important than
John the Baptist has ever been born;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he.’
Amen. Come soon, Lord Jesus!
The third candle is lit and this response is used
Jesus is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can ever put out.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Earey’s “Advent Candles Tell Their Story.”
Advent candles tell their story
as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory,
‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
changed for gladness
on that Day.
Prophet voices loudly crying,
making pathways clear;
glimpsing glory, self-denying,
calling all to hear.
Through their message - challenged, shaken –
hearts awaken: God is near!
John the Baptist, by his preaching
and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching
news of hope restored:
‘Keep your vision strong and steady,
and be ready
for the Lord.’
Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
Open this link to hear Timothy Shaw’s arrangement of Frans Mikael Franzen’s “Prepare the Royal Highway.”
1 Prepare the royal highway;
The King of kings is near!
Let every hill and valley
A level road appear!
Then greet the King of glory,
Foretold in sacred story;
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God’s Word!
2 Then fling the gates wide open
To greet your promised king!
Your king, yet every nation
Its tribute too may bring.
All lands will bow before him;
Their voices join your singing:
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God’s Word!
3 His is no earthly kingdom;
It comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom
And justice, truth, and love.
So let your praise be sounding
For kindness so abounding:
Hosanna to the Lord,
For he fulfills God’s Word!
Hear these words of scripture.
Love one another,
for love is of God,
and whoever loves is born of God and knows God.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.
Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.
Silence
Let us confess our sins to God.
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Savior Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Almighty God, you pardon all who truly repent,
forgive us sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
*Open this link in a new tab and click on the mp3 audio play button to hear David Erby’s setting of Psalm 134, “Behold, Bless the Lord.”
[1] Behold, bless the Lord,
All you servants of the Lord,
Who by night stand in the house of the Lord!
[2] Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the Lord.
[3] The Lord who made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!
*This setting is sung as a three-part canon.
Open this link to hear Marty Haugen’s setting of Psalm 25, “To You, O Lord."
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
To you, I lift my soul.
Lord, make me know your ways,
teach me your paths
and keep me in the way of your truth,
for you are God, my Savior.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
To you, I lift my soul.
For the Lord is good and righteous,
revealing the way to those who seek God,
gently leading the poor and the humble.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
To you, I lift my soul.
To the ones who seek you, Lord,
who look to your Word,
who live your love,
you will always be near,
you will show them your mercy.
To you, O Lord, I lift my soul,
To you, I lift my soul.
Open this link in a new tab to hear the Crown and the Covenant’s arrangement of Psalm 117, “Praise the Lord.”
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
All you nations.
Extol him! Extol him!
All you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord
endures forever.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
All you nations.
Extol him! Extol him!
All you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord
endures forever.
Silence
The Reading from the New Testament: James 5:7–10
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the autumn and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Silence follows the reading.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chaz Bower’s choral arrangement of “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord.”
My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord;
I sing my Savior’s praise!
You looked upon my lowliness,
and I am full of grace.
Now ev’ry land and ev’ry age
this blessing shall proclaim—
great wonders you have done for me,
and holy is your name.
To all who live in holy fear
Your mercy ever flows.
With mighty arm you dash the proud,
Their scheming hearts expose.
The ruthless you have cast aside,
the lowly throned instead;
the hungry filled with all good things,
the rich sent off unfed.
To Israel, your servant blest,
(To Israel, your servant blest,)
your help is ever sure;
(your help is ever sure;)
the promise to our parents made
(the promise to our parents made)
their children will secure.
(their children will secure.)
Sing glory to the Holy One,
(Sing glory to the Holy One,)
give honor to the Word,
(give honor to the Word,)
and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,
(and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,)
one God, by all adored,
(one God by all adored,)
on God, by all adored.
Silence
The Reading from the New Testament: James 5:7–10
Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the autumn and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Silence follows the reading.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chaz Bower’s choral arrangement of “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord.”
My soul proclaims your greatness, Lord;
I sing my Savior’s praise!
You looked upon my lowliness,
and I am full of grace.
Now ev’ry land and ev’ry age
this blessing shall proclaim—
great wonders you have done for me,
and holy is your name.
To all who live in holy fear
Your mercy ever flows.
With mighty arm you dash the proud,
Their scheming hearts expose.
The ruthless you have cast aside,
the lowly throned instead;
the hungry filled with all good things,
the rich sent off unfed.
To Israel, your servant blest,
(To Israel, your servant blest,)
your help is ever sure;
(your help is ever sure;)
the promise to our parents made
(the promise to our parents made)
their children will secure.
(their children will secure.)
Sing glory to the Holy One,
(Sing glory to the Holy One,)
give honor to the Word,
(give honor to the Word,)
and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,
(and praise the Pow’r of the Most High,)
one God, by all adored,
(one God by all adored,)
on God, by all adored.
Silence
How to Wait for Our Lord’s Return
“Nearly 2 in 5 Americans, including half of U.S. Christians and a quarter of the religiously unaffiliated, say we’re living in the end times.” With these words Aaron Earls prefaces a December article he wrote on a Pew Research Center survey of end-time beliefs and climate change concerns in the United States, published this past November. The article, “2 in 5 Americans Believe We Are in the ‘End Times’” is posted on the Lifeway Research website.
The survey’s findings were not surprising. We are living in a time which has been marked by what Jesus described as the “beginning of the birth-pains” (Matthew 24:8 NLT) that would precede his coming again. Wars. Rumors of wars. Earthquakes. Famine. And pestilence. We, however, would not be the first generation who believed that they were living in the end-times.
James, Jesus’ older brother, believed that the coming of the Lord was near. In this evening’s New Testament reading, James 5: 7-10, he urges those to whom he is writing to be patient. He urges them not to become annoyed with each other and to complain about each other.
James offers them two examples of patience—the farmer who waits for the rains in the autumn and spring and eagerly awaits the ripening of the harvest in his fields and the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. They endured much suffering.
We have no idea when our Lord will come again. Jesus told his disciples that he himself did not know. The events that he described as the “beginning of the birth pains” were the only beginning of these pains. A woman can experience labor pains as early as the fourth month of pregnancy. This is called “false labor” and is not an indication that she is about to give birth.
Our Lord gave his disciples instructions on what they were to do while they were waiting for his return. They were to watch and pray. Watching and praying requires being awake and alert, ready for our Lord’s return, which he compared to the master of a household returning to the household after a long journey. The servants of the household would be carrying out the various responsibilities the master had given them before he left.
What were the tasks our Lord assigned to his disciples? Represent him to the world. Live their faith before their family, friends, neighbors, fellow students, and colleagues. Share the good news about him. Multiply themselves, making more disciples, baptizing them, and instructing them in his message and teaching. Do good to others. Serve him in the last and the least. Pursue holiness. These are the responsibilities he gave them. They are our responsibilities in our generation.
A farmer is not idle while waiting for rain or awaiting the ripening of a harvest. A farmer goes about the other tasks needed to grow crops and keep animals. A farmer also keeps an eye on the weather. While the farmer may welcome the autumn and spring rains, heavy rain at harvest time can flatten a crop and cost the farmer the better part of the harvest. In some parts of the world a farmer may have only a small window of opportunity to harvest a crop. In years past it was not unusual for the whole community to help farmers harvest their crops. A good harvest meant food for the community, not just the farmer.
We can also learn patience from the prophets. They were God’s messengers but the messages that they delivered were not always well-received. As a consequence, they suffered much hardship. The prophet Jeremiah was lowered into a dry cistern and would have starved to death if certain royal officials had not intervened on his behalf. While he was assured by the Babylonians that they would not take him into captivity with the other inhabitants of Jerusalem after the fall of the city to the Babylonians, he found himself among the captives. He was released and allowed to stay in Judah but was later taken into exile in Egypt against his will by his fellow Judeans. He was not the only prophet who was ill-treated.
If we are faithfully doing what our Lord instructed his disciples to do, I suspect that we will not have much time on our hands to grow impatient. When I was a social worker, I had to wait on a lot of different people—judges, attorneys, doctors, and others. I learned to bring something to do with me while I was waiting. Our Lord has given his disciples a lot to do while they are awaiting his coming again. People are apt to grumble when they are idle and have nothing better to do with their time. If we are faithfully following our Lord’s instructions, we will have plenty to do and little time to grumble.
Silence
Let us affirm our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there 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.
Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear when we pray
in the name of your Son.
Therefore in confidence and trust
we pray for the Church:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.
Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.
We pray for the world:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Creator of all,
lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.
Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.
We pray for the community:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.
Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
We pray for those in need:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of hope, comfort and restore
all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.
Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith
of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.
We praise you for (N and) all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.
We pray for ourselves and our ministries:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered and the prayers
conclude with the following.)
Lord, you have called us to serve you.
Grant that we may walk in your presence:
your love in our hearts,
your truth in our minds,
your strength in our wills;
until, at the end of our journey,
we know the joy of our homecoming
and the welcome of your embrace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Terror and doom, and wrath to come,
John your herald preached
to bring us to repentance;
open our eyes, almighty God,
show us our sin, and grant us forgiveness.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
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,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “My Soul in Stillness Awaits."
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
1 O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory,
Your radiance shines in all who look to you,
Come, light the hearts of all in dark and shadow.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
2 O Spring of Joy, rain down upon our spirits,
Our thirsty hearts are yearning for your Word,
Come, make us whole, be comfort to our hearts.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
3 O Root of Life, implant your seed within us,
And in your advent draw us all to you,
Our hope reborn in dying and in rising.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
4 O Key of Knowledge, guide us in our pilgrimage,
We ever seek, yet unfulfilled remain,
Open to us the pathway of your peace.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
5 Come, let us bow before the God
who made us
Let ev’ry heart be opened to the Lord,
For we are all the people of his hand.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
6 Here shall we meet the
Maker of the heavens
Creator of the mountains and the seas,
Lord of the stars, and present to us now.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
THE DISMISSAL
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.
James, Jesus’ older brother, believed that the coming of the Lord was near. In this evening’s New Testament reading, James 5: 7-10, he urges those to whom he is writing to be patient. He urges them not to become annoyed with each other and to complain about each other.
James offers them two examples of patience—the farmer who waits for the rains in the autumn and spring and eagerly awaits the ripening of the harvest in his fields and the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. They endured much suffering.
We have no idea when our Lord will come again. Jesus told his disciples that he himself did not know. The events that he described as the “beginning of the birth pains” were the only beginning of these pains. A woman can experience labor pains as early as the fourth month of pregnancy. This is called “false labor” and is not an indication that she is about to give birth.
Our Lord gave his disciples instructions on what they were to do while they were waiting for his return. They were to watch and pray. Watching and praying requires being awake and alert, ready for our Lord’s return, which he compared to the master of a household returning to the household after a long journey. The servants of the household would be carrying out the various responsibilities the master had given them before he left.
What were the tasks our Lord assigned to his disciples? Represent him to the world. Live their faith before their family, friends, neighbors, fellow students, and colleagues. Share the good news about him. Multiply themselves, making more disciples, baptizing them, and instructing them in his message and teaching. Do good to others. Serve him in the last and the least. Pursue holiness. These are the responsibilities he gave them. They are our responsibilities in our generation.
A farmer is not idle while waiting for rain or awaiting the ripening of a harvest. A farmer goes about the other tasks needed to grow crops and keep animals. A farmer also keeps an eye on the weather. While the farmer may welcome the autumn and spring rains, heavy rain at harvest time can flatten a crop and cost the farmer the better part of the harvest. In some parts of the world a farmer may have only a small window of opportunity to harvest a crop. In years past it was not unusual for the whole community to help farmers harvest their crops. A good harvest meant food for the community, not just the farmer.
We can also learn patience from the prophets. They were God’s messengers but the messages that they delivered were not always well-received. As a consequence, they suffered much hardship. The prophet Jeremiah was lowered into a dry cistern and would have starved to death if certain royal officials had not intervened on his behalf. While he was assured by the Babylonians that they would not take him into captivity with the other inhabitants of Jerusalem after the fall of the city to the Babylonians, he found himself among the captives. He was released and allowed to stay in Judah but was later taken into exile in Egypt against his will by his fellow Judeans. He was not the only prophet who was ill-treated.
If we are faithfully doing what our Lord instructed his disciples to do, I suspect that we will not have much time on our hands to grow impatient. When I was a social worker, I had to wait on a lot of different people—judges, attorneys, doctors, and others. I learned to bring something to do with me while I was waiting. Our Lord has given his disciples a lot to do while they are awaiting his coming again. People are apt to grumble when they are idle and have nothing better to do with their time. If we are faithfully following our Lord’s instructions, we will have plenty to do and little time to grumble.
Silence
Let us affirm our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there 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.
Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.
Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.
Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.
Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear when we pray
in the name of your Son.
Therefore in confidence and trust
we pray for the Church:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.
Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.
We pray for the world:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
Creator of all,
lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.
Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.
We pray for the community:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.
Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
We pray for those in need:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
God of hope, comfort and restore
all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.
Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.
We remember those who have died and those who mourn:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)
We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith
of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.
We praise you for (N and) all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.
We pray for ourselves and our ministries:
(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered and the prayers
conclude with the following.)
Lord, you have called us to serve you.
Grant that we may walk in your presence:
your love in our hearts,
your truth in our minds,
your strength in our wills;
until, at the end of our journey,
we know the joy of our homecoming
and the welcome of your embrace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Terror and doom, and wrath to come,
John your herald preached
to bring us to repentance;
open our eyes, almighty God,
show us our sin, and grant us forgiveness.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we pray:
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,
the power, and the glory
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “My Soul in Stillness Awaits."
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
1 O Lord of Light, our only hope of glory,
Your radiance shines in all who look to you,
Come, light the hearts of all in dark and shadow.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
2 O Spring of Joy, rain down upon our spirits,
Our thirsty hearts are yearning for your Word,
Come, make us whole, be comfort to our hearts.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
3 O Root of Life, implant your seed within us,
And in your advent draw us all to you,
Our hope reborn in dying and in rising.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
4 O Key of Knowledge, guide us in our pilgrimage,
We ever seek, yet unfulfilled remain,
Open to us the pathway of your peace.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
5 Come, let us bow before the God
who made us
Let ev’ry heart be opened to the Lord,
For we are all the people of his hand.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
6 Here shall we meet the
Maker of the heavens
Creator of the mountains and the seas,
Lord of the stars, and present to us now.
For you, O Lord, my soul in stillness waits,
Truly my hope is in you.
THE DISMISSAL
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.
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