Friday, November 26, 2021

The Kairos of Advent

First Week of Advent

**Please note this service is based on the format of the Anglican Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from the Book of Alternative Services (BAS) and the hymns from the Book of Common Praise (BCP). Other hymns and prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.

 

**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.

 

Opening Prayer

The Spirit and the church cry out:

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

All those who await his appearance pray:

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The whole creation pleads:

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 

A candle burns, the first marker of our Advent journey.

As we set out, may we travel full of hope.

As we set out, God of journeys, let your hope travel with us.

 

Opening Hymn – Lord of All Hopefulness (BCP #506)

            Listen Here

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

And also with you.

 

Collect for Purity

            Listen Here

 

The Trisagion

          Listen Here

 

Collect of the Day (p.268)

Let us pray.

Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and for ever.

Amen.

 

The Readings

A reading from the Book of Jeremiah 33.14-16

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

 

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be the God.

 

Psalm 25.1-10

            Listen Here

 

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust;

    do not let me be put to shame;

    do not let my enemies exult over me.

Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;

    let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

    teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

    for you are the God of my salvation;

    for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,

    for they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

    according to your steadfast love remember me,

    for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;

    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right,

    and teaches the humble his way.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

    for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

 

A reading from the First Letter from Paul to the Thessalonians 3.9-13

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

 

The word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

 

Gradual Hymn – Wait for the Lord, Whose Day is Near (BCP #94)

            Listen Here

 

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

 

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke 21.25-36

Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

“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 does not 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.”

 

The Gospel of Christ.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Sermon

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord. Amen. 

How many of you have found that time has been weird these last couple of years?

 

I know I have. Cass and I often joke at home that time is meaningless now.

 

But then, time has never really been very straightforward.

 

I remember how, as a kid, school years would drag on, but summers would fly by.

 

When something good was going to happen – like a sleepover at grandma’s, or my birthday, or Christmas – it seemed like time would move so slowly.

 

Now, well, it feels like time flies by. I blink and it’s like weeks have flown by.

 

As an adult, there’s never enough time to get everything done, or with a loved one, or with your children.

 

Time might feel feather-light or brick-heavy, depending on whether it is a joyful time or a dreadful time.

 

Even in the Gospel readings throughout Advent, time is strange, going backwards, with the narrative running in reverse order.

 

This week, the end is where we start from, reflecting on the texts for the First Sunday in Advent while living in the last week of the church year.

 

The series of readings from Luke opens with the teaching of Jesus (shortly before his death and resurrection in Jerusalem), followed by John’s prophecy in the wilderness (prior to the beginning of Jesus’ adult ministry), and concluding with Mary’s song (as she and Elizabeth celebrate the impending births of their sons).

 

This first week of Advent, marks the start of the new church calendar.

 

The turning of the calendar year is often marked by reflection on what has been and resolve for a new future.

 

The kitchen calendar, one month to a page, each with squares waiting to be filled in with the stuff of daily life, has a clear beginning and a clear ending.

 

On December 31 the old calendar is taken down and on January 1 a new calendar takes its place.

 

Changes in the church’s calendar are not so abrupt – endings and beginnings flow into one another, an ever-circling spiral of God-given times and seasons.

 

Jesus, in Luke 21, reminds his followers that God is not constrained by the chronos time represented by calendar and clock, the sort of time that keeps everything from happening at once. In God’s kairos time, past and future are woven together for the sake of today.

 

Today’s passage contains many references to the future.

 

There will be signs causing people to fear what is coming upon the world.

 

The powers of the heavens will be shaken and people will see the Son of Humanity coming in a cloud with power and glory.

 

All these things will begin to take place and will come upon all who live on the face of the earth.

 

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

 

But to whom does this future belong?

 

Judgment, terrors, cosmic signs of the end times. This might seem like a strange way to begin the season of Advent. After all, Advent is a time to prepare our hearts in joyful anticipation of Christ’s birth.

 

How can this apocalyptic end-time prophecy of Jesus coming “with power and great glory” introduce Christians’ annual commemoration of Jesus coming as a helpless infant?

 

Instead of armies of angels as we have in the birth narrative, we hear of Jerusalem surrounded by human armies bringing desolation.

 

During Advent, we celebrate God-with-us – the Emmanuel who comes into the world. So why preface this with talk of “fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world”?

 

What does any of this have to do with Advent and Christmas?

 

Our thoughts are already turned toward putting up the Christmas tree and decorating our homes, and everywhere we go there are reminders that Christmas is coming.

 

Frankly, on this first Sunday in Advent, we all would rather hear a message about Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus. Why does the church encourage us to consider this passage today?

 

Because the church understands that many of us need a wake-up call at this time of year. It is so easy to become distracted by the shopping, the stressful traffic jams, and the endless parties that we miss out on the "peace on earth and good will to all people."

 

We forget to watch the time – too much time shopping, not enough time with family; too much time rushing around, not enough time pausing and reflecting.

 

“Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes – How do you measure, measure a year?” In this song from Rent, the idea of measuring a year in the clockwork passage of minutes gives way to more evocative measures – sunsets, cups of coffee, laughter, even strife, and finally in “seasons of love.”

 

This is how Paul measured his relationship with the Thessalonians – in abounding love, deep affection, great joy, and a longing to be together.

 

It is God who sustains us and who directs our way to one another. Paul’s word of blessing to the Thessalonians is also ours, that we increase and abound in love and that our hearts be strengthened in holiness as we anticipate the coming of the Lord Jesus with all the saints.

 

As the church year turns from last days to the anticipated coming of God among God’s people the psalmist reminds us that nothing – past, present, or future – is beyond our soul’s lifting up.

 

We put our trust in the gracious and merciful God of our salvation, a God of compassion, steadfast love, and faithfulness.

 

The season of Advent is a spiritual wake-up call. Through the reading of the scripture lessons, you can almost hear the alarm clock ringing.

 

Now, not only does Advent try to wake us up, but it also invites us to look in two directions – back upon the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and forward to Jesus' return as he brings God's kingdom on earth to fulfillment.

 

Advent is a season in which we remember that we are a people of hope.

 

We are the Christmas people.

 

We sing to Emmanuel because God is with us.

 

When we sense that we are lost in the darkness, Advent reminds us that we are not alone. The God of hope is with us.

 

Jesus warns us not to get distracted by the worries of this world. Lift up your eyes and look upward toward God because even in the midst of difficult times our Lord comes to us.

 

Over time, the celebration of Christmas has changed. What started out as a season of hope and promise and joy and peace has turned into a time of stress, traffic jams, and shopping lists.

 

As we move into this Christmas season, let us not get so single-mindedly over-preparing for Christmas that we forget God’s vision for the world – that we don’t let time pass us by without pausing, reflecting, praying, and loving ourselves and each other.

 

Gracious God, for this season we are grateful. Wake us up. In the midst of the busy-ness of this season, help us take the time to hear your voice, sense your presence, worship you, and serve you in both word and deed.

 

Amen.


Special Hymn - Seasons of Love, from Rent - Listen Here

 

Affirmation of Faith

Let us confess the faith of our baptism, as we say the Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,

and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified

under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory

to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father.

With the Father and the Son

he is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic

and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism

for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

The Prayers of the People

In joyful expectation let us pray to our Saviour and Redeemer, saying, “Lord Jesus come soon.”


O Wisdom, from the mouth of the Most High, you reign over all things to the ends of the earth: come and teach us how to live.

Lord Jesus, come soon!


O Lord, and head of the house of Israel, you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and you gave the law on Sinai: come with outstretched arm and ransom us.

Lord Jesus, come soon!


O Branch of Jesse, standing as a sign among the nations, all kings will keep silence before you and all peoples will summon you to their aid: come, set us free and delay no more. 

Lord Jesus, come soon!


O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, you open and none can shut; you shut and none can open: come and free the captives from prison.

Lord Jesus, come soon!


O Morning Star, splendour of the light eternal and bright Sun of righteousness: come and enlighten all who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Lord Jesus, come soon!  


O King of the nations, you alone can fulfil their desires: Cornerstone, you make opposing nations one: come and save the creature you fashioned from clay.

Lord Jesus, come soon!  


O Emmanuel, hope of the nations and their Saviour: come and save us, Lord our God.

Lord Jesus, come soon!  


Compassionate One, we look to the stormy sky of political unrest, help us to pay attention to the cries for mercy, peace and justice among us.  

Come Holy Spirit Come!


Earth keeper, we look to the polluted sky of an ailing planet, help us pay attention to the ways we can mend and tend the earth, your creation.

Come Holy Spirit Come!


We pray for all those affected by floods not only in British Columbia but on our East Coast as well.  We pray for the remaining hostages in Haiti, praying for a safe and immediate release.  We pray for all areas of the world where there is war and conflict and for those countries experiencing high rates of Covid cases.  This morning we pray for those who have asked our prayers.


Eternal God, forever a mystery to us, beyond human comprehension, inscrutable in Your ways.  We long to penetrate Your mystery, understand Your ways, glimpse Your glory.


We dance around the edges of Your mystery, wondering if we can collect clues to Your Being, sense Your nature, imagine Your thoughts.  


We hear the glad tidings of this season, announcing Your Advent to this world, Your self disclosure to our humanity, Your participation in our life experiences.  


We want to believe and receive, but we like Mary, feel unworthy of such good news, and incapable of responding.


Guide us, O God, out of our darkness and doubt, as we confess our sins and need of You, as we wait in wonder and worship, as we sing the songs and pray the prayers of this season.  


Come to us as Love, drawing us closer to You, and closer to each other. 


Come to us as Life, born to us, in us, for us!  Amen

 

Confession and Absolution

Dear friends in Christ,

God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy;

God welcomes sinners and invites them to the table.

Let us confess our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.

 

(silence)

 

Most merciful God,

We confess that we have sinned against you

in thought, word, and deed,

by what we have done,

and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart;

we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.

We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.

for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,

have mercy on us and forgive us,

that we may delight in your will,

and walk in your ways,

to the glory of your name. Amen.

 

As we speak the truth of our lives, God who is faithful and just, restores us and brings us home again and again.

 

Almighty God have mercy upon you,

pardon and deliver you from all your sins,

confirm and strengthen you in all goodness,

and keep you in eternal life;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

The Peace

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

 

Offertory Hymn – Keening for the Dawn by Steve Bell

            Listen Here

 

Prayer over the Gifts (p. 269)

**Although not physically at our church buildings to share our offering together I would encourage you to set your offering of money aside so that it can be dropped off or placed in the church once services resume, to mail your offering to the church, or to make donations online. Please remember ministry is still taking place.

 

Let us pray.

God of love and power, your word stirs within us the expectation of the coming of your Son. Accept all we offer you this day, and sustain us with your promise of eternal life. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

This service was created for in-person worship. For those worshiping on your own, you may either read the Eucharistic prayer, or skip ahead to the Lord's Prayer.

 

Eucharistic Prayer 2 (p. 196)

 

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

 

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

 

We give you thanks and praise, almighty God,

through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ,

our Saviour and Redeemer.

He is your living Word,

through whom you have created all things.

 

By the power of the Holy Spirit

he took flesh of the Virgin Mary

and shared our human nature.

He lived and died as one of us,

to reconcile us to you,

the God and Father of all.

 

In fulfilment of your will

he stretched out his hands in suffering,

to bring release to those who place their hope in you;

and so he won for you a holy people.

 

He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows,

and to give up his life on the cross,

that he might shatter the chains of evil and death,

and banish the darkness of sin and despair.

By his resurrection

he brings us into the light of your presence.

 

Now with all creation we raise our voices

to proclaim the glory of your name.

 

LISTEN HERE


Holy and gracious God,

accept our praise,

through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ;

who on the night he was handed over

to suffering and death,

took bread and gave you thanks,

saying, “Take, and eat:

this is my body which is broken for you.”

In the same way he took the cup,

saying, “This is my blood which is shed for you.

When you do this, you do it in memory of me.”

 

Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection,

we offer you this bread and this cup,

giving thanks that you have made us worthy

to stand in your presence and serve you.

 

We ask you to send your Holy Spirit

upon the offering of your holy Church.

Gather into one

all who share in these sacred mysteries,

filling them with the Holy Spirit

and confirming their faith in the truth,

that together we may praise you

and give you glory

through your Servant, Jesus Christ.


All glory and honour are yours,

Father and Son,

with the Holy Spirit

in the holy Church,

now and for ever.

Amen.


And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us,

we are bold to pray,

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 for ever. Amen.

 

Breaking of the Bread

This is the body of Christ.

Behold what you are.

Become what you receive.

Amen.

 

Communion

This is the table of Christ. It is made ready for those who love him, and for those who want to love him more. Come, whether you have much faith or little, have tried to follow, or are afraid that you have failed. Come. Because it is Christ's will that those who want to meet him, might meet him here.

 

These are the gifts of God for the People of God.

Thanks be to God.

 

Share in the Eucharist

Prayer After Communion (p. 296)

As we have feasted around the table, let us pray.

God for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life. Keep us ever watchful, that we may be ready to stand before the Son of man. We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord. Amen.

 

Doxology

Almighty God, we give you thanks that while we are still far off, you met us in your Son and you brought us home. Dying and rising, you restored us to life, gave us grace, and opened the way of Glory, and so we say:

 

Glory to God,

whose power, working in us,

can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine.

Glory to God from generation to generation,

in the Church and in Christ Jesus,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

 

Blessing

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of the Holy and Undivided Trinity be with you and remain with you always, in the name of God, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Closing Hymn – Eternal Father, Strong to Save (BCP #567)

            Listen Here

 

Dismissal

As we await our coming Saviour,

go in the peace of Christ.

Thanks be to God.