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Welcome to Worship - Immanuel Lutheran Church

November 29, 2020 First Sunday of Advent

PRELUDE: F. Chopin Waltz Op. 69 # 1

WELCOME – Pastor Stephanie Smith

GATHERING

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Faithful God, have mercy on us. We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We turn from your loving embrace and go our own ways. We pass judgment on one another before examining ourselves. We place our own needs before those of our neighbors. We keep your gift of salvation to ourselves. Make us humble, cast away our transgressions, and turn us again to life in you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

God hears the cries of all who call out in need, and through his death and resurrection, Christ has made us his own. Hear the truth that God proclaims: Your sins are forgiven in the name of ☩ Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness to do God’s work in the world. AMEM

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First Sunday in Advent – Lighting of the Advent wreath

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness -- on them light has shined... For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:2, 6)

Today we remember the prophets of old, who demanded to be heard, who dared to speak of a child to come, unexpected liberator of the people, vulnerable incarnation of the Holiest of Holies, a new name for God.

Today we give thanks for the prophets among us, who bring to us surprising new visions of hope, who challenge us to think outside the box, who show us a future we never anticipated.

On this first Sunday of Advent, we light this candle as a symbol of the prophets who renew our faith and remind us of what may be.

Today we begin our nativity scene with the angel who like the prophets of old, came to proclaim the birth of Jesus to Mary and Joseph. May we be open to the word God continues to speak to us today.

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Hymn # 257 v.1

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WORD—God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song. First Reading: Isaiah 2:1–5 1The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2In days to come the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD! This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph | like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned up- | on the cherubim. 2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, | and Manasseh, stir up your strength and | come to help us. 3 Restore | us, O God; let your face shine upon us, and we | shall be saved. 4 O Lord| God of hosts, how long will your anger fume when your | people pray? 5 You have fed them with the | bread of tears; you have given them bowls of | tears to drink. 6 You have made us the derision | of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh | us to scorn. 7 Restore us, O | God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we | shall be saved. 17 Let your hand be upon the one at | your right hand, the one you have made so strong | for yourself. 18 And so will we never turn a- | way from you; give us life, that we may call up- | on your name. 19 Restore us, O Lord| God of hosts; let your face shine upon us, and we | shall be saved.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, 5for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind — 6just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you — 7so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 8He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

Gospel: Luke 1:26-38

The holy gospel according to Luke Glory to you, O Lord.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon – Pastor Stephanie Smith

Hymn - ELW # 265 The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came

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THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION prayers of the people

We will have a time for individual petitions during the prayer, and invite you to unmute yourself as you speak.

On this first Sunday of the church year, let us pray that God comes quickly to this weary world; we respond to each petition with words from today’s psalm, “Come to help us.”

Immortal, invisible God only wise, we pray for the church, both our congregation and assemblies around the globe. Give us your life. Show us your presence. Grant us your wisdom. Shepherd for another year of grace our pastor, deacons, musicians, and all who minister in the church.

Stir up your strength, O God. Come to help us.

God of the sparrow, God of the whale, protect the animals, whether wild or farmed or tame. Restore devastated habitats and polluted waters. Calm the storms that devastate the coasts. Renew the face of the earth and our relationship to it.

Stir up your strength, O God. Come to help us.

Mighty Fortress, protect all people who are poor or oppressed. Grant that the leaders of nations respond with justice and relief to those who suffer. We pray especially for the people of Honduras. Bless all elected officials as they assume new leadership roles.

Stir up your strength, O God. Come to help us.

Beautiful Savior, abide with us during December. Give your beauty to our holiday preparations in this challenging season and your grace to the many who have little to celebrate this year.

Stir up your strength, O God. Come to help us.

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Mothering God, visit with your power any who are homeless or unemployed, and all who are hungry. Protect children from all manner of abuse. Comfort those who live with chronic pain, anxieties, and addictions. We pray especially for Jim, Shawn, Russell, Linda, Maggie, Tom, Esther, Michael, and those we name before you now, silently or aloud. . . .

Shape us to become your arms of mercy.

Stir up your strength, O God. Come to help us.

Healer of our every ill, save all peoples from the coronavirus. Sustain medical workers, and provide for hospitals and clinics. Heal the sick, accompany the dying, and comfort the mourners.

Stir up your strength, O God. Come to help us.

Rock of ages, we wait for you, we stand on you. Receive now our private prayers.

Stir up your strength, O God. Come to help us.

Lord of all hopefulness, we give thanks for all the faithful: for Andrew, the first disciple to follow Jesus; for those who died while waiting for justice and peace; for all who have died of COVID-19; and for those we name here before you, silently or aloud. . . .

At the end, bring us with them into your shining presence.

Stir up your strength, O God. Come to save us.

Eternal Father, strong to save, receive our prayers for the sake of your Son Jesus, who came, who comes, and who will come, to bring us life. Amen.

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Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as 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.

Hymn – ELW # 264 – Prepare the Royal Highway

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SENDING

Holy God, the Beginning and the Ending, our Hope as we wait, we praise you for joining us to your people of old. We bless you for your prophets who call us to righteousness and promise a new earth with peace for all. For the Word of your covenant, we thank you, O God. We thank you, O God.

We praise you for the coming of Jesus our Lord, who lifts up the lowly, heals the suffering world, and proclaims your way of mercy and truth. For your Word who is Christ, we magnify you, O God. We magnify you, O God.

Send your Spirit on all who receive your Word. Nurture our faith with your grace, accompany us with your might, and empower our zeal for your justice and joy. For your Word through the church, we praise you, O God. We praise you, O God.

All praise to you, holy God, today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen. Amen.

The Creator of the stars bless our Advent waiting, the long-expected Savior fill us with love, the unexpected Spirit guide our journey, + now and forever. Amen.

Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God.

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Announcements

Postlude: F. Chopin Waltz Op. 64 # 1 Zoom coffee hour immediately follows the service.

Participants: Pastor Stephanie Smith, Pricilla Finn, Marilyn Paterno, Yvonne Nicholson, John Pearson, Felix Margolin, Julie Bringham-Grette, Dorothy Verheyen, Mei-Ju Hwang, Ron Archer.

Portions from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and sundaysandseasons.com, © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress.

Advent Candlelighting Liturgy
by Amy C. Wake

Intercessory Prayer: Gail Ramshaw

One license # 720726-A