The Lessons, Hymns, and Prayers, 1^st Sunday in Advent, Cycle B (November 29, 2020)

 

Isaiah 64:1-9 (tear open heavens and come; we are clay; do not be angry forever)

 

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 (stir up your might and come; do not be angry forever)

 

1 Corinthians 1:3–9 (God strengths you; wait for Christ to be revealed)

 

Mark 13:24-37 (stay alert; lesson of fig tree; parable: master comes unexpectedly)

                OR Mark 11:1-10 (Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey)

Opening hymn: The King Shall Come (LBW #33, ELW #260, LSB #348)

 

Or my “Advent hymn” sung to the same tune as above)

With glory bright and heavenly peace, come quickly, Lord, again.

With judgment true the earth renew; the gates of life unpen.

God, Father, glory gilds your name; we worship and adore,

We bless and praise, our thanks we raise; your mercy we implore.

O glorious Sun of righteousness, bring healing on your wing.

By your dear grace, reveal your face, unbar our hearts to sing:

Sing, “Glory be to you, O Lord; to you, O Christ, be praise,

God’s Lamb of love from heav’n above, Redeemer of our race.”

Most glorious Spirit, Holy Lord, conform us to the Son,

To rightly praise through all our days what he for us has done.

O glory to the Father, Son, and Spirit ever be!

God, bring your life amidst our strife; Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Hymn of the Day: O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (LBW #23, ELW #241, LSB #355)

(if the tune is unfamiliar, use the tune for “All Glory, Laud and Honor,” especially if the Palm Sunday

processional gospel is used today. However, the words are also great for Isaiah text and Psalm)

OR O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LBW #34, LSB #357, ELW #257)

 

Communion Hymn #1: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

(LBW #30, LSB #338, ELW #254)

 

Communion Hymn #2: My Lord, What a Morning

(WOV #627, ELW #438, LSB #986)

 

Closing Hymn: Savior of the Nations, Come (LBW #28, ELW #263 LSB #332)

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THE PRAYERS

Let us pray to the Lord on behalf of the Church, the world, and all people according to their need.

A brief silence

 

O Lord, we long for your salvation; make haste and help us. Come quickly with blessing and comfort for your people, O strong Deliverer of Israel and the Redeemer of the world.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens and visit your people with salvation. Anoint your Church with your Holy Spirit. Make it radiant with holiness, lovely with compassion, and bright with faithfulness. Fill it with hope as it awaits the coming of your Son in power and great glory.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens and visit your people with salvation. Come with healing and gladness for your persecuted servants. Make their words and deeds shine with your goodness and glory. Give the grace of repentance to their tormentors; and draw all people to yourself.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens and visit your people with salvation. Anoint this congregation with your Holy Spirit. Make us generous in sharing the grace given to us in Christ. Through us, lift the heads and hearts of our neighbors and those in need. Grant that, with us, they eagerly await the day of Jesus’ return as victorious Lord of all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Give wisdom and prudence to those who lead the nations, especially those newly elected. Make them good stewards of the authority granted them. Bless our nation with peace, prosperity, and justice. Teach us all to care for one another until your son comes as our great Lord of might.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Give courage, honor, and strength to those who serve and protect our country. Grant healing to those who have been wounded; patience and hope to their loved ones; and a swift, safe homecoming to them all.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. Kindle hope within the hearts of all who suffer – especially {List}. Bring them comfort and healing. Give their caretakers patience and compassion. To those who are despairing, imprisoned, abandoned, or dying, bestow the presence of your Son, the Dayspring who puts death’s shadows to flight.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Tear open the heavens, O Lord; and visit your people with salvation. We give you thanks for the lives of all whom you have given victory over the grave. Disperse the clouds of gloom and grief that overshadow us. Lead us to our heavenly home, opened to us by the Key of David, your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Lord, in your mercy, please hear our prayer.

Graciously answer our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

“But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles)” (Galatians 2:7-8)

 

There is One Lord and one faith.  We work for the same Lord.  The devil has been good at getting the faithful to rip into one another over the things upon which they do not agree.  Our faith is focused upon our Lord, so look to Him and give thanks that You have been called through Him by faith and grace into the eternal life which He has prepared for those who believe.  We are all of the same heritage in believing the Good News.

 

Lord, whether I am right about some things or not, You have given me the gift of faith as You have to many others.  Help me to see through the deceits of the devil lest I fall prey to hating instead of loving.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that all whom You have saved by grace are my brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter the path You have chosen for them.  Guide me Lord in the path You have made.

 

Lord Jesus, You prayed that we would be one even as You and the Father are One.  Lead me, Lord, in the oneness You intend not with compromise, but with integrity.  Help me to know the lines You have created and to stay within those lines.  Teach me the boundaries of Your love and lead me to the outermost places of love that I would not stay in the place of division and hatred.  Amen.

“But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.  But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality) – well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me” (Galatians 2:5-6).

 

Do not be influenced by those who have position in this world.  Yes, we are to be subject to those whom God appoints to leadership, but that does not mean we need follow false doctrine no matter who speaks it.  The Word has been given and the Lord uses whom He will to accomplish what He will.  Do not yield to anyone but the Lord and follow Him all the days of your life.

 

Lord, I am very much influenced by those around me in this world.  Not all have You in their heart and I am tugged by all kinds of things.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth that I may not yield to what is false but hold fast to You in whom is all truth.  Guide me, O Lord, now and always in the way You have established that I may not wander nor be led astray.

 

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for coming and setting us free from the recompense of sin.  Lead me now this day in the way of truth that I may walk humbly with You and be guided by all that You have taught.  Let me not be led astray by those with smooth words, but open my ears to hear Your voice above the noise of this world.  Let me not be concerned with what others think, but instead only with the desire to be Yours.  Amen.