The second Sunday of advent
Feast of St. Nicholas
A Service of Word and Meal
December 6, 2020
Christ Lutheran church
Hilton head island, sc
We are Disciples of Jesus. Growing in Faith, Serving our Community and Connecting Others to Christ.
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☩ This is Christ’s church. There is a place for you here. ☩
This Sunday
John calls people to repent, to clear the decks, to completely reorder their lives so
that nothing gets in the way of the Lord’s coming. The reading from Isaiah gives
the context for this radical call: the assurance of forgiveness that encourages us
to repent; the promise that the coming one will be gentle with the little ones.
Isaiah calls us all to be heralds with John, to lift up our voices fearlessly and say,
“See, your God is coming!” We say it to one another in worship, in order to say it
with our lives in a world in need of justice and peace.
The Advent Wreath
One of the best-known customs for the season is the Advent wreath. The wreath and winter candle-lighting in the midst of growing darkness strengthen some of the Advent images found in the Bible. The unbroken circle of greens is clearly an image of everlasting life, a victory wreath, the crown of Christ, or the wheel of time itself. Christians use the wreath as a sign that Christ reaches into our time to lead us to the light of everlasting life. The four candles mark the progress of the four weeks of Advent and the growth of light. Sometimes the wreath is embellished with natural dried flowers or fruit. Our Confirmation Group has prepared their own Advent wreath that is being passed from family to family each of these weeks. A member of the group will light the Advent wreath from their homes each week in worship and offer the prayer for the day. The Feast of St. Nicholas December 6th is observed each year as the Feast of Nicholas, the bishop of Myra, Turkey in the 4th C. He was legendary for his care for children and for the poor. Stories about him have evolved through the centuries into our cultural images of Santa Claus and Old St. Nick. One of the most famous of the stories about him will be told as a Children’s Sermon today as was done in the Preschool on Friday. In the spirit of Nicholas, the children all brought gifts for our Little Food Pantry to care for others. These gifts will be blessed in the service today as the character of Nicholas brings them forward and thanks the children. The real bishop was one of 300 bishops who gathered for the Council of Nicaea in 325 at the
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command of Emperor Constantine who wanted the theologically diverse Christian community to come up with a unifying statement on the doctrines of this faith. As Constantine told the bishops, “Division in the church is worse than war.” The result of that Council was The Nicene Creed. Each word was hard fought. In fact, Nicholas, not always jolly, is known to have punched another bishop in the face over a theological disagreement!
☩ gathering ☩
Gathering Music O Come, O Come, Emmanuel and
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKEUlJRQVbA
Welcome + Announcements
We Prepare our Hearts for Worship Prepare the Way
[written by Pastor Jay Gamlin and offered by Tami and David Kuhlmann]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s1ARFeqdOA&feature=youtu.be
Confession and Forgiveness
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, whose forgiveness is sure and whose steadfast love endures forever. Amen. Together let us honestly and humbly confess that we have not lived as God desires. Silence is kept for reflection. Loving and forgiving God, we confess that we are held captive by sin. In spite of our best efforts, we have gone astray. We have not welcomed the stranger; we have not loved our neighbor;
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we have not been Christ to one another. Restore us, O God. Wake us up and turn us from our sin. Renew us each day in the light of Christ. Amen. People of God, hear this glad news: by God’s endless grace your sins are forgiven, and you are free— free from all that holds you back and free to live in the peaceable realm of God. May you be strengthened in God’s love,
☩ comforted by Christ’s peace, and accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the
Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
As the two candles of Advent are lit, all are invited to light the candles on their
home wreaths as we will light our church Advent wreath. Then, the confirmation
youth prays:
Blessed are you, God of hope, for you promise to bring forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse who will bring justice to the poor, who will deliver the needy and crush the oppressor, who will stand as a signal of hope for all people. As we light these candles, turn our wills to bear the fruit of repentance, transform our hearts to live in justice and harmony with one another, and fix our eyes on the root of Jesse, Jesus Christ, the hope of all nations. O people of hope, come, let us rejoice in the faithfulness of the Lord. Amen.
The Story of St. Nicholas
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Prayer of Blessing for Preschool Gifts
☩ Word ☩
The First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
In grand, flowing, poetic lines, the prophet announces that the exile of God’s
people in Babylon is over. God will deliver Israel and will care for her as a
shepherd cares for the sheep. This word can be trusted, because the only
enduring reality in life is the word of God.
1Comfort, O comfort my people,
says your God.
2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that she has served her term,
that her penalty is paid,
that she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins.
3A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
6A voice says, “Cry out!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All people are grass,
their constancy is like the flower of the field.
7The grass withers, the flower fades,
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when the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
surely the people are grass.
8The grass withers, the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.
9Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
10See, the Lord GOD comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
11He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.
Holy Wisdom. Holy Word.
Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel according to Mark the 1st chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight,’ ” 4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of
repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean
countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were
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baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was
clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate
locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I
is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his
sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy
Spirit.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon
Hymn of the Day Come, Light our Hearts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TVG8k0I_Ew
The Nicene Creed
We recite these words of faith that were crafted by a Council of Bishops in 325
C.E. including Nicholas, Bishop of Myra.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
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On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of Intercession
God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary
world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.
A brief silence.
Faithful God, you teach us to wait for you with faithfulness and patience.
Sustain and support us in our doubts and questions. Nurture our faith as we
discern and enact your mission. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Loving God, you set the stars in the sky and breathe life into the earth. Renew
the face of creation where it is in need of your healing touch. Mend the
wounds of environmental damage and restore balance to ecosystems so that
all creation can declare your praise. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Steadfast God, you never tire of seeking justice. Where people suffer from
discrimination, judgment, and injustice, speak words of truth and comfort. We
pray especially for the homeless, the working poor, and those without
affordable housing on Hilton Head. Lead us toward a world where
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faithfulness will sprout underfoot and righteousness rain down from above.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Leading God, you ask us to make uneven ground smooth. Make even the
disparities between your people. Sustain and support people with physical
and intellectual disabilities. Accompany disability advocates who work for a
world accessible to all. Teach us to celebrate the great diversity in our midst.
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Tender God, you know sorrow and joy alike. We pray for those in our families
and congregation who are not joyful in this holiday season. Comfort those who
grieve, be a companion to all who are lonely, tend those who are sick or
struggling with depression, and gather all people in your healing embrace.
Give courage and hope to those who have cancelled Christmas plans with
family and friends during this pandemic. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Holy Lifegiver, we lift up all celebrating birthdays this week, especially
Barbara Fudjack and Wayne Sebulsky with birthdays today and for all
celebrating wedding anniversaries and baptismal anniversaries this week.
May these milestones of our living fill us with gratitude for all good gifts, and
remind us that you go with us every step of the way. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Eternal God, we give thanks for the saints who have prepared your way in the
wilderness and taught us to continue their faithful work especially Bishop
Nicholas of Myra. Make their generous lives an example for all. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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While we are in these Zoom meetings, we will provide a time for worshipers to
prepare an offering to be mailed in, to go to our website to make a contribution, or
take time to pray and consider how God is calling each of us to share our
resources with the church and the world.
Thank You! for all your offerings and gifts given to CLC and to the wider church
this week. Your generosity is the fuel for our ministry in this place.
Visitors in our worship today are encouraged to go to our website
https://clchhi.org/ and send us an email letting us know you were worshiping with us today. If we can support you in any way, please share your need with us.
If you have not already done so, use this time to finish setting your home table for
communion.
Offering Music All Earth is Hopeful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhT2KVbLlaI
Offering Prayer
Generous God, you have created all that is, and you provide for us in every season. Bless all that we offer, that through these gifts the world will receive your blessing. In the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, we pray. Amen.
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The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
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Eucharistic Prayer for Advent
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your people.
Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,
the Word made flesh.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
With this bread and cup
we remember your Word dwelling among us,
full of grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Holy God, we long for your Spirit.
Come among us.
Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people.
Fill us with your light.
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Bring the gift of peace on earth.
Come, Holy Spirit.
All praise and glory are yours,
Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate,
Power of the Most High,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to the Table
Even as we watch and wait, Christ is here. Come, eat and drink. Thanks be to God. Distribution of Communion
After the pastor says: “The body of Christ given for you, all at home may commune
those in their household. Then the pastor will say, “The blood of Christ shed for
you” and all may share the wine at home.
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☩ Sending ☩
Prayer after Communion
Gracious and abundant God, you have done great things for us, and we rejoice. In this bread and cup you give us life forever. In your boundless mercy, strengthen us and open our hearts to the world’s needs, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
The Creator of the stars bless your Advent waiting, the long-expected Savior fill you with love, the unexpected Spirit guide your journey,
☩ now and forever. Amen. Dismissal Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Sending Song In the Bleak Midwinter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUw7BHpN608
1 In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago. 2 Heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
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heav'n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign; in the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ. 3 What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man I would do my part; yet what I can I give him— give my heart.
Text: Christina Georgina Rossetti, 1830-1894
☩ ☩
Presiding Minister – Pr. Mary W. Anderson Assisting Minister – Silke Pyrlik, Director of Christian Life Lighter of the Advent Wreath – Olivia Sullivan St. Nicholas – Kirk Taylor Zoom Producer for November – Janet Sullivan Curator of our Music Offerings – Tami Kuhlmann Altar Guild – Joyce Prange Baker of the Communion Bread – Paulette Stefanik From sundaysandseasons.com.
Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress
Liturgies Annual License #SB155588.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, Copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National
Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress.
Used by permission.
