Opening Hymn
The Acclamation
Darkness encircles us, Loving God.
Its weight is heavy. We call out for your Light.
Facing danger and loss of what is right and true, we light these candles to remind us that You alone radiate justice and peace.
Advent Wreath Lighting
Advent Collect
Let us pray.
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
God’s Word
Isaiah 2:1-5
A reading from the book of Isaiah.
The Message Isaiah got regarding Judah and Jerusalem:
There’s a day coming
when the mountain of God’s House
Will be The Mountain—
solid, towering over all mountains.
All nations will river toward it,
people from all over set out for it.
They’ll say, “Come,
let’s climb God’s Mountain,
go to the House of the God of Jacob.
He’ll show us the way he works
so we can live the way we’re made.”
Zion’s the source of the revelation.
God’s Message comes from Jerusalem.
He’ll settle things fairly between nations.
He’ll make things right between many peoples.
They’ll turn their swords into shovels,
their spears into hoes.
No more will nation fight nation;
they won’t play war anymore.
Come, family of Jacob,
let’s live in the light of God.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 122
When they said, “Let’s go to the house of God,”
my heart leaped for joy.
And now we’re here, O Jerusalem,
inside Jerusalem’s walls!
Jerusalem, well-built city,
built as a place for worship!
The city to which the tribes ascend,
all God’s tribes go up to worship,
To give thanks to the name of God—
this is what it means to be Israel.
Thrones for righteous judgment
are set there, famous David-thrones.
Pray for Jerusalem’s peace!
Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers!
Friendly insiders, get along!
Hostile outsiders, keep your distance!
For the sake of my family and friends,
I say it again: live in peace!
For the sake of the house of our God, God,
I’ll do my very best for you.
Romans 13:11-14
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans
But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!
Hear what the Spirit is saying to our community.
Thanks be to God.
Luke 21:25-36
Words of Freedom from the Gospel of Luke
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
“The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.
“The Son of Man’s Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.
The Gospel of the Saviour
Praise to you O Christ
Sermon
The Prayers
Advent Affirmation of Faith
We believe in God, the Creator, who formed the heavens and the earth,
called us to care for creation with humility and love.
We believe in Jesus Christ, God with us, born of Mary, who proclaimed good news to the poor, freedom to the oppressed, healing to the wounded, and justice to those cast aside.
We believe in the Spirit of God, who moves through darkness and chaos, bringing life, renewal, and hope; who stirs us to protect the earth, to defend the marginalized, to stand against racism, war, and abuse, and to honor the dignity of all people.
We believe in the coming of Christ, who will make all things new, who calls us to prepare the way of peace and to walk humbly with God.
In this season of hope, we commit to act with courage and compassion, for the sake of creation, for the least among us, and for the glory of God.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
God of hope, hear our prayers:
We pray for the hungry or homeless. Energize us to call on our leaders to eliminate poverty by taxing the ultra-wealthy and relieving burdens on the working poor. Empower this church to do what we can to provide for the needs of all.
Come, Christ, and bring your justice.
We pray for the earth, suffering from human exploitation. Empower leaders who stop new fossil fuel development and accelerate the spread of renewable energy for all. Protect all species. Teach us to respect our only home.
Come, Christ, and bring your justice.
We pray for survivors of violence, prejudice, and abuse. Give them safety, healing, and vindication. Teach those who mistreat others to stop and change their ways.
Come, Lord Jesus, and bring your peace.
We pray for an end to war and the flourishing of love and understanding among all nations. Instead of missiles and warheads, direct governments to spend for food, education, healthcare, and housing for all.
Come, Lord Jesus, and bring your peace.
We pray for all whom society replaces dignity and inclusion with hatred and scorn. Let us be a place that affirms the sacred worth of every person. Protect migrants.
Come, Lord Jesus, and bring your joy.
Celebrant: Almighty God, as we await your coming, kindle in us a passion for your justice and a commitment to your peace, that we may labor for the triumph of your realm.
Amen.
The Confession and Absolution
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
God of mercy,
we confess that we have sinned against you,
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
Forgive us, we pray.
Strengthen us to live in hope and work for justice,
so that we may reflect your love in the world. Amen.
Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in the zone, in the moment, in God. Amen.
The Peace
Leader: May Christ’s peace be with you, always.
People: And with you, too.
Announcements
The Holy Communion
Walk in love, the way Christ walked. Become a holy offering to God, rich with the fragrance of grace.”. based on Ephesians 5:2
During the Offertory, a hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.
Doxology
(Words: Isaac Watts (1674-1748), para. of Psalm 117; Music: Old 100th, melody from Pseaumes octante trois de David, 1551, alt.; harm. after Louis Bourgeois (1510?-1561?); Licensed for Use: CCLI Copyright License 20716203; CCLI Streaming License 20716210
At the Presentation
All things come of you, O Lord;
And of your own have we given you.
Our God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them towards Our Christ.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
We lift up our thanks and praise.
It is right, and it is joyful,
to give you thanks and praise,
Holy God, Creator of heaven and earth.
In this season when the days grow short
and the world is heavy with fear and struggle,
your mercy rises like a beautiful dawn.
Through prophets you promised a child
who would bring justice to the oppressed
and comfort to all who sit in the shadow of death.
And now, when conflict and confusion swirl around us,
you are faithful—
guiding your people, renewing courage,
and leading us into peace.
And so we join with angels and archangels
and with all creation in heaven and on earth
to sing your praise:
All:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power, God of might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
We praise you in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord.
We praise you in the highest.
Celebrant:
Holy God, you love us with a love that never lets us go.
When we became stuck into darkness, you did not turn from us.
You sent Jesus, your Son, Light of the world,
to live among us, to heal us,
to welcome the forgotten, to draw forth new strength,
and to show us the way of compassion and joy.
On the night before he died,
Jesus took bread; gave thanks to you; broke it;
and gave it to his friends, saying:
“Take and eat.
This is my Body, given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup;
gave you thanks;
and gave it to them, saying:
“Drink this, all of you.
This is my Blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
remember me.”
And so, remembering his love,
his death and resurrection,
and his promise to come again
we offer you these gifts,
and we offer you our lives.
Send your Holy Spirit on us
and on these gifts of bread and wine,
that they may become for us
the Body and Blood of Christ.
Make us radiant with his presence.
Strengthen us to be people of light,
people who carry your presence
into every corner of this world.
Bring us with all your saints
into the fullness of your new creation—
a day when your peace and joy are all in all.
Through Christ,
and with Christ,
and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
to you be glory and praise,
now and forever.
Amen.
Let’s pray together in the spirit that Jesus taught us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
These are God’s gifts for all of us, God’s people.
Post-Communion Prayer
God of all that is, was, and will be,
We thank You for this feast of grace and love.
Here, at this table, we’ve tasted connection—
to You, to one another, to all creation.
In the breaking of bread and the sharing of the cup,
we’ve glimpsed a world made whole,
a table where all are welcome,
and there’s always enough.
As we leave this sacred moment,
help us carry its energy into the everyday.
Let the bread fuel us for justice,
let the cup refresh our hope.
We step into the world ready to love louder,
to risk kindness, to practice peace.
May the spirit of this meal propel us forward,
toward mercy, toward courage, toward You.
Amen.
The Blessing
Our Advent blessing is in the form of a haiku, an ancient Japanese poetic form.
Morning star rising—
may its hope rest on your path.
Go now, held in light.
Closing Hymn
The Dismissal
Go into the world in hope, to proclaim justice, peace, and love. Alleluia, alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.