THE FIRST SUNDAYOF ADVENT
OH COME, EMMANUEL
Advent means “coming toward.” Advent also marks the time of the beginning of a new Church year. Advent is the coming of Jesus the Messiah who is, who was, and who is to come. In Advent we begin to see Jesus not only as the baby born of Mary, nor only as the one who will come again in the final judgment and fulfillment of all things, but as the one active in our lives here and now. Christ stirs up those powerful promises from the past and offers us hope from the future so that he may begin his gracious rule in our lives and in our community of faith. Our Advent worship is a time when we again remember that in Christ-who-comes-to-us we are always encircled by the love of God.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
WE REMEMBER OUR BAPTISMS, CONFESS OUR FAITHLESSNESS,
AND HEAR GOD’S FAITHFUL PROMISE OF FORGIVENESS
Pastor: The Sun of Righteousness shall rise with shining beams of healing. From the one who was, who is, and who is to come: Grace and peace be with you all.
People: Amen.
Pastor: A voice cries in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together.”
People: A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry ?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers,
the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it.
Pastor: The grass withers,
the flower fades;
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Therefore, let us confidently draw near
and confess our sins before God.
(Pause for silent confession.)
Pastor: Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
God is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
God does not faint or grow weary;
God’s understanding is unsearchable;
God gives power to the faint,
and to you who have no might,
strength shall be given.
People: And we who wait upon the Lord shall renew our strength,
we shall mount up with wings like eagles,
we shall run and not be weary,
we shall walk and not faint.
GATHERING
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S CALL WITH PRAISE AND PRAYER,
AND PREPARE TO HEAR GOD’S WORD OF LIFE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray together.
People: Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
THE CHURCH HEARS THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD ACTING
IN THIS AND EVERY TIME AND PLACE
BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
First Sunday in Advent
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.
You call all nations to walk in your light
and to seek your ways of justice and peace,
for the night is past, and the dawn of your coming is near.
People: Bless us as we light the first candle of this wreath.
Rouse us from sleep,
that we may be ready to greet our Lord when he comes
and welcome him into our hearts and homes,
for he is our light and our salvation.
Blessed be God forever.
Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
[click on the link below]
Second Sunday in Advent
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.
John the Baptist calls all people to prepare the Lord’s way
for the kingdom of heaven is near.
People: Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.
Baptize us with the fire of your Spirit,
that we may be a light shining in the darkness
welcoming others as Christ has welcomed us,
for he is our light and our salvation.
Blessed be God forever.
Amen.
Third Sunday in Advent
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.
Your prophets spoke of a day when the desert would blossom
and waters would break forth in the wilderness.
People: Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.
Strengthen our hearts
as we prepare for the coming of the Lord.
May he give water to all who thirst,
for he is our light and our salvation.
Blessed be God forever.
Amen.
Fourth Sunday in Advent
Pastor: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe.
In your Son, Emmanuel,
you have shown us your light
and saved us from the power of sin.
People: Bless us as we light the candles on this wreath.
Increase our longing for your presence,
that at the celebration of your Son’s birth
his Spirit might dwell anew in our midst,
for he is our light and our salvation.
Blessed be God forever.
Amen.
SONG DURING THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
“He Came Down ”
[click on the link below]
FIRST READING
Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In 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.
Many 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.
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
O house of Jacob,
come, let us walk
in the light of the Lord!
SECOND READING
Romans 13:11-14
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 24:36-44
‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
SERMON
[click on the link below]
HYMN OF THE DAY
“Build Us Up, Lord”
[click on the link below]
Build us up, Lord, build us up;
set in us a strong foundation.
Lead us to do your holy will;
form and shape your new creation.
Build us up, Lord, build us up;
as we guide and teach each other,
help us to share your love with the world:
every sister, every brother.
Refrain:
Growing in Christ, we plant seeds for the kingdom;
we follow in faith what’s begun!
Lord, set in our hearts the pow’r of your word
to spread the news of your Son!
Build us up, Lord, build us up;
let our lives reflect your glory.
Cast away all our doubts and fears;
help us tell the world your story.
Build us up, Lord, build us up;
help us bear good fruit for you,
Lord, give us vision and keep us sure.
Grant us faith that’s steadfast and true.
Refrain:
Growing in Christ, we plant seeds for the kingdom;
we follow in faith what’s begun!
Lord, set in our hearts the pow’r of your word
to spread the news of your Son!
TODAY IN OUR PRAYERS
Bill, Carol, Curtis, and Christine Buchkowsky, Teri Peterson, Wayne Turner, Janet Gregory, Marge McMillan, Kyrie Parimi, Doris Turner, Hilda Anderson, Linda Wolfe, Naomi, Bev Gregory, Dale Robinson, Audrey Hedlin, Mona Neher, Oma Ywo, Owen Peterson, Helga Halldorsdottir, Evaline Sanders, the family of Norm Gregory, the family of baby Mavrick Gallant (Bev Gregory’s great-grandson), the family of Katherine Meger (Joshua Bratvold’s great grandmother), the family of Lois Jenkins (Ann Salmon’s mother), the family of Helen Neher (Carol Sarich’s mother), the family of John Beaven (Bev Gregory’s brother), and the family of Carl Rausch.
We remember the missing and murdered indigenous women in Canada, the children and people buried in unmarked graves at residential schools and First Nation lands, and all those who have suffered the trauma of residential schools, the victims, injured, families and communities of James Smith Cree Nation and the village of Weldon who have experienced tragic murders and stabbings, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the people of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, the Palestinians and Israelis, Ethiopia and Tigray, Myanmar and the Rohingya Muslim refugees, Lebanon, all at the Mexico/United States border seeking refuge, the 100 million refugees and displaced persons, the people of Haiti suffering from disasters, Nigeria, Pakistan, and New South Wales, Australia devastated by torrential rains and flooding, the people of Puerto Rico, Atlantic Canada and Newfoundland pummeled by hurricane Fiona, those in Cuba, Florida, and South Carolina buffeted by hurricane Ian, the people in Indonesia and the Solomon Islands recovering from earthquakes, the murdered and wounded victims of a hate shooting in Colorado Springs, those in the United States, Canada, and throughout the world caught up in racism and injustice and the resulting violence, and those throughout the world, in Canada, in our province, and in our community still threatened by the coronavirus and the omicron variant.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE OF FAITH
[The congregational response after each petition is: “REVEAL YOUR MERCY.”]
Pastor: Who has measured the waters in the hollow of her hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed with dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? It is to this God we offer our prayers longing for the fullness of redemption, saying, “God of all hopefulness,” and responding, “Reveal your mercy.”
Petitioner: O Wisdom, come! Keep your Church awake and watchful at every moment, that we might see your awesome deeds in unexpected places and through them might make your name known to all people. Help us to release our fears to you. God of all hopefulness …
Petitioner: O Ruler of nations, come! Stir up the leaders of the world and open their eyes to the hungry, poor, diseased, refugees, and oppressed everywhere, that they might work for peace, health, nourishment, and the good of all. Keep this hopeful vision in the hearts of all people and strengthen all toward its fulfillment. God of all hopefulness …
Petitioner: O Branch of Jesse, come! We wait and hope for what we already have. We have been clothed in the light of Christ. Teach us to live in these ways of advent hope until the great day when Christ comes to make all things new. God of all hopefulness…
Pastor: O Dayspring, come! Come to those whose reason for hoping has given out, who seem to face nothing but fears and terrors: the suffering, ill, lonely, depressed, abused, addicted, and those broken by conflict, loss, and grief. We remember especially before you …. Send your Spirit of hope to all weighed down by worry and keep them in your constant care. God of all hopefulness …
Petitioner: O Key of David, come! In this season of Advent as we present ourselves at font and table prepare us to remember that we always receive a gift beyond our deserving and a promise beyond merit. God of all hopefulness …
Petitioner: O Lord of might, come! We give thanks for all creation – the sun, the moon, the stars, the roaring seas, the icy streams, the clouds, the forests and deserts, and all living things. Help us to preserve what you have given us and to heal what we have damaged. God of all hopefulness…
Petitioner: O Emmanuel, come! Send your Spirit and make this a community of faith that breathes hope, sings, prays, feeds the hungry, feasts on the messianic meal, points to the Light of the world, witnesses, loves, practices the mercy of God, turns away from the temptations of consumerism, and so confounds all who would deny your grace or diminish your love. God of all hopefulness …
Pastor: Into your hands, O God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord whose coming is certain and whose day draws near.
People: Amen
THANKSGIVING
THE COMMUNITY PRAISES GOD FOR THE GRACIOUS GIFTS OF
CREATION AND THE SAVING DEEDS OF JESUS CHRIST
THE GREETING AND SHARING OF PEACE
Pastor: Since we are forgiven and renewed by God’s Spirit, let us also be reconciled with one another and share the Peace of Christ.
The peace of Christ be with you always.
People: And also with you.
THE OFFERING
(We worship God with the offering of our selves, our time, our talents, and our possessions.)
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Leader: Let us pray.
Gracious God,
People: you have done great things for us,
and holy is your name.
Bless all we offer you —
our selves, our time, and our possessions.
Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need
until the coming of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor: Let us pray with confidence in the words our Saviour gave us:
People: 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.
SENDING
ALL RECEIVE THE BLESSING OF GOD, LEAVE IN PEACE,
AND ARE SENT OUT TO SERVE
BENEDICTION
Pastor: The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding
keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The God of hope strengthen your hearts
as you await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The God of love break in upon you with the Spirit of light and healing
to be among you and remain with you always.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
“My Lord, What A Morning”
[click on the link below]
My Lord, what a mourning,
My Lord, what a mourning,
My Lord, what a mourning
When the stars begin to fall.
You’ll hear the trumpet sound,
To wake the nations underground,
Looking to my God’s right hand,
When the starts begin to fall.
DISMISSAL
Pastor: As the rain and snow come down from heaven,
and return not but water the earth,
so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth.
It shall not return to me empty.
And you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Go in peace. Serve our God.
People: Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY AT KOG
THIS WEEK AT KOG
COMING UP AT KOG – Sunday, December 4, Advent Potluck at 5:00 p.m. – Sunday, December 4, Congregational Budget meeting
October, November, and Year-to-Date Budget and Contribution Report for KOG
2022 Budget: $48,854 Monthly Budget: $4,071.17 Weekly Budget: $939.50
2022 income/expenses: $2,167.56
September income/expenses: -$1,786.50
Weekly contributions for October: October 2: $940 October 16: $460.00
October 30 : $620.00
Weekly contributions for November: November 6: $1170.00 November 13 and 20: $3740
One of King of Glory’s service projects for the year is support of the Alzheimer’s Society. Church Council has designated the Sundays in November for a free will offering to be collected for the Alzheimer Society. To date $70 has been donated. Please give generously.
“Advent Reflections” daily devotions for the Season of Advent from On Eagle’s Wings are available at the back.
Thank you to all involved in the Quilts and Comfort Quilts that have been made by members of King of Glory and their friends. Our quilting worker-bees have lost count, but guesstimate 42 quilts will be distributed to LutherCare Communities, the Wellness Centre, and the Bishop Klein Community School Program and Comfort Quilts will be given to individuals suffering from sickness, significant change in life, loss or grief. Prodigious thimbles full of thanks to the industrious sewers Bev Gregory, Karen McKenzie, Doreen Matschke, Carol Sarich, Lois Rombough and Sherry Andrews, to Irma Torgunrude who donated material and Iris Kristjansdottir who provided boxes.
During the Sundays in Advent King of Glory will again be collecting food items for Christmas Hampers. Our goal is 10 hampers. A list of suggested food items is included. Thank you for your generosity.
Offerings.
Even though we are not all meeting together we still have expenses and need your offerings so that we can pay them. Church Council has decided that the best way to receive your offerings is that you mail a cheque (Please no cash for mail security reasons) to the church and we can process them from there.
Send your contributions to: King of Glory Lutheran Church
3318 Merritt Street
Saskatoon, SK S7M 3P6
Thank you for your generosity.
Christmas Hampers
Suggested food donation items
peanut butter
jam/jelly
margarine
processed cheese spread
coffee and tea
macaroni and cheese dinner
flavoured rice and noodle mixes
spaghetti/pasta and sauces
soups, soup base, soup mix
dried beans and lentils
dry cereal
powdered milk
flour
sugar
stuffing mix
cranberry sauce
ready-to-eat and condensed soups
canned meats
tuna
salmon
brown beans
hot chocolate
canned vegetables
potatoes
carrots
onions
Checklist and Guidelines for Worship Services
Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc before the service
Disinfect/sanitize washrooms if used
One person preps worship materials [pastor]
Six feet distancing recommended
No sharing of pencils, pens, etc.
Open doors and windows if possible
Use/wear face masks, optional, but recommended
Hand sanitizer available
No physical contact (e.g. sharing of the peace, no passing of offering plate)
Communion procedure: distribution in a way that maintains physical distancing
Disinfect/sanitize worship space and entrance etc after the service
King of Glory Lutheran Church 