CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Service of the Word for November 28, 2021
The First Sunday of Advent
Welcome: Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Questions for Reflection: Each year during Advent we wait, we prepare, we celebrate with joy and we welcome the birth of the new-born babe who would change the world. How is it that we can make this year’s Advent Season any different, so that our hearts and minds will be changed?
Prelude: “Prepare the Way, O Zion” TPH#13 sung by Keisha Prime
Advent Candle Lighting
Introduction
This year as we light the Advent candles we are looking at the themes of expecting, waiting, preparing and welcoming, along with our traditional themes of hope, peace, joy, love.
Advent season reminds us that we live by hope.
Hope in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah . . .
the promised one who comes from God to bring good news of salvation . . .
the expected one who will establish justice for all who are in need . . .
the liberator who will free us from our estrangement.
who fills the hungry with good things and sends the rich away empty.
As we light this first candle, the candle of hope, we focus our attention on our expectations about the coming of the Messiah.
Prayer: Holy, God, as we begin this Advent Season, we empty ourselves of all those things which would get in the way of our experiencing the hope, peace, joy and love which your promise us through the birth of Jesus, your Son. Amen
*Hymn “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” TPH #309
Prayer for Illumination
God of our salvation, there is hope, wisdom, peace and joy for those who attend to your word. By the power of your Holy Spirit, lead us into your truth and teach us your will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Zechariah 8:10-14 NRS
For before those days there were no wages for people or for animals, nor was there any safety from the foe for those who went out or came in, and I set them all against one other.But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the LORD of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Just as I purposed to bring disaster upon you, when your ancestors provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the LORD of hosts,so again I have purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; do not be afraid. These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the LORD.
Hymn (please remain seated) “Creator of the Stars of Night” TPH #4
Reading from the Gospels Luke 21:25-36NRS
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory.Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Then he told them a parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees;as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Sermon What are you Expecting? The Rev. Lois Robinson Lehman
Affirmation of Faith (from A Declaration of Faith, pcus)
God sent the promised Deliverer to his people.
Jesus, the long-expected Savior, came into the world as a child, descended from David, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, a virgin. He lived as a Jew among Jews. He announced to his people the coming of God's kingdom of justice and peace on earth. We affirm that Jesus was born of woman as is every child, yet born of God's power as was no other child. In the person and work of Jesus, God himself and a human life are united but not confused, distinguished but not separated. The coming of Jesus was itself the coming of God's promised rule. Through his birth, life, death, and resurrection, he brings about the relationship between God and humanity that God always intended.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
This is a modern translation, but feel free to use the words of your choice
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is 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.
Statement about Offering our Gifts
Friends, trusting in the sure promises of Christ and grateful for the Spirit’s sustaining power, let us freely share those gifts which have been entrusted to our care.
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22 nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music Jesus Come and Save Us-Pierce sung by Keisha Prime
Prayer of Dedication
Faithful God, strengthen our testimony and spiritual gifts; increase generosity in us, we pray, as we wait for the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” TPH #8
Charge/Benediction
Keep awake. God is doing awesome things we do not expect. And Christ is coming near. May God strengthen us, Christ draw near to us; and the Holy Spirit awaken us until, with eager longing, we greet the day of our Lord Jesus Christ
Postlude Days of Elijah-Mark sung by Keisha Prime