THE SECOND 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.
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming nurture our growth as people of repentance and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord who lives and reigns with you 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 11:1-10
A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
SECOND READING
Romans 15:4-13
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,
‘Therefore I will confess you among the Gentiles,
and sing praises to your name’;
and again he says,
‘Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people’;
and again,
‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
and let all the peoples praise him’;
and again Isaiah says,
‘The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him the Gentiles shall hope.’
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 3:1-12
In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,
‘The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.” ’
Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor”; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
‘I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’
SERMON
[click on the link below]
HYMN OF THE DAY
“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry”
[click on the link below]
On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings!
Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
Where such a mighty Guest may come.
For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.
Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.
To Him Who left the throne of Heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given;
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.
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, Somalia, 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! Through remembering our baptism you give us faith to repent, to turn to you, to rid ourselves of everything that is unfruitful in our lives. Cleanse us from being distracted by the darkness of this season, even by the thoughts of our own worthiness, and turn us toward the light of Christ and the abundance of his gifts. God of all hopefulness …
Petitioner: O Ruler of nations, come! Turn the hearts of the leaders of the world and the leaders of this nation to work for peace among one another that the well-being of the people may be served. Replace pride and power with the wisdom to bring justice and security to all. God of all hopefulness …
Petitioner: O Lord of might, come! Establish harmony in all creation, that all living things may work according to your loving and generous purpose. Make the lion of our pollution and destruction and the lamb of your restoring creation lie down together so that this extraordinary hope may fill the earth with your goodness and glory. 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 …. Soothe the weary, calm the worried, bring comfort where there is pain, and wholeness where there is loss. God of all hopefulness …
Petitioner: O Key of David, come! In this season of Advent we remember that you are the giver of new beginnings. Your forgiveness authors for us new life. In our waiting and watching show us signs of your work in and among us of a world redeemed, a Church reformed, and lives restored through the gracious coming of Jesus, the Word made flesh. God of all hopefulness …
Petitioner: O Root of Jesse, come! In this season of Advent remind us that your Word stands forever, even though the things of this world fade like the grass. Shape this community into a place of welcome and support for all people. Feed and strengthen us by your gifts of grace, that we may share them with others. God of all hopefulness…
Petitioner: O Emmanuel, come! Send your Spirit and make us into 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, 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
“Fling Wide the Door”
[click on the link below]
Fling wide the door, unbar the gate;
the King of glory comes in state;
the Lord of lords and King of kings,
the Savior of the world who brings
his great salvation to the earth.
So raise a shout of holy mirth
and praise our God and Lord, Creator, Spirit, Word.
He is the rock of our belief,
the heart of mercy’s gentle self.
His kingly crown is holiness;
his scepter is his loveliness;
he brings our sorrows to an end.
Now gladly praise our king and friend,
and worship him with song
for saving us from wrong.
Oh, happy towns and blessed lands
that live by their true king’s commands.
And blessed be the hearts he rules,
the humble places where he dwells.
He is the rightful Son of bliss
who fills our lives and makes us his,
creator of the world,
our only strength for good.
Come, Lord, our Savior, Jesus Christ;
our hearts are open wide in trust.
Oh, show us now your lovely grace,
upon our sorrows shine your face,
and let your Holy Spirit guide
our journey in your grace so wide.
We praise your holy name,
from age to age the same!
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
– Sunday, December 4, Advent Potluck at 5:00 p.m. – Sunday, December 4, Congregational Budget meeting
THIS WEEK AT KOG
COMING UP AT KOG – Sunday, December 18, Blue Christmas service – Monday, December 19, Church Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom – Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve service with St. David’s/Trinity 7:30 p.m. – Sunday, December 25, There will be no Christmas Day service at King of Glory. There is a Christmas Day service at Resurrection at 10:00 a.m.
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
November 27: $300
Thank you to everyone who donated in support of the Alzheimer’s Society. $260 was been contributed. Thank you for your generosity.
“Advent Reflections” daily devotions for the Season of Advent from On Eagle’s Wings are available at the back.
Blue Christmas Service, Sunday, December 18
Christmas can be a difficult and painful time for some. It may be the first Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died. It may be a time that has always been difficult. Whether it is the death of a family member, relative, or friend, the end of a marriage or relationship, the loss of work, illness, depression, or the moving away from places that have been secure and welcoming – all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending.
A Blue Christmas Service is for those for whom the Christmas season seems more filled with sadness, stress, and loss than celebration. It is a service that centers on God’s gifts of comfort and hope to all who struggle at this time of year. Through prayers, scripture and music this service affirms how the Good News of Christmas is for those who struggle and mourn – and that God’s Word comes to shine light into our darkness.
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.
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.
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 