Short North Sunday Gathering Liturgy - November 24,
2024
Carry Sunday with you into your week by pausing to reflect on the readings, prayers, and songs we shared in together as the body of Christ.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the season of the church calendar where we lean into our deep longing.
Romans 8 says we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. This echoes the language used by the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, and others to invoke the deep anguish of a woman in labor to describe the longing of creation for a Savior.
The good news– the amazing hope of the advent season– is that joy has dawned. Hope has dawned. Peace has dawned. Love itself has been made flesh. Allow yourself to be in awe and wonder at the God who makes himself known–who gives himself, not to the worthy, but to needy sinners like you and me.
Romans 8 says we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. This echoes the language used by the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah, and others to invoke the deep anguish of a woman in labor to describe the longing of creation for a Savior.
The good news– the amazing hope of the advent season– is that joy has dawned. Hope has dawned. Peace has dawned. Love itself has been made flesh. Allow yourself to be in awe and wonder at the God who makes himself known–who gives himself, not to the worthy, but to needy sinners like you and me.
CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE
Leader: ...[the] time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory.
The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
The boots of the warrior
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
They will be fuel for the fire.
Congregation: For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!
The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.
You will enlarge the nation of Israel,
and its people will rejoice.
They will rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest
and like warriors dividing the plunder.
For you will break the yoke of their slavery
and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders.
You will break the oppressor’s rod,
just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.
The boots of the warrior
and the uniforms bloodstained by war
will all be burned.
They will be fuel for the fire.
Congregation: For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!
COMMITMENT
Leader: O come, all ye faithful–
joyful and triumphant;
O come ye to Bethelehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
Congregation: O come, let us adore Him– Christ the Lord!
joyful and triumphant;
O come ye to Bethelehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;
Congregation: O come, let us adore Him– Christ the Lord!
BENEDICTION
Leader: May you be warmed by the love of God this advent season–
for which no distance was too great to cross, no pain too great to bear, and no darkness too deep or cold for his light to break through.
Go now in the peace of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, your constant companion.
Peace be with you!
Congregation: And also with you!
for which no distance was too great to cross, no pain too great to bear, and no darkness too deep or cold for his light to break through.
Go now in the peace of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, your constant companion.
Peace be with you!
Congregation: And also with you!
Sunday's music:
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
O Come O Come Emmanuel
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
O Come all Ye Faithful
This playlist is updated each week with songs from the previous Sunday's Gathering:
O Come O Come Emmanuel
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
O Come all Ye Faithful
This playlist is updated each week with songs from the previous Sunday's Gathering:
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