**Please note this service is based on the format from “Out of the Blue” © 2022 by Barn Geese Worship. Used by permission of Barn Geese Worship and adapted by Rev. Jennifer Marlor.
**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.
Introduction
For God,
change can be small, evolutionary, atomic. A crumbled resistance, a slightly
different direction, a fresh idea in the middle of the night.
For God, change can rain down
like a tempest, a flood in every street that sweeps into our lives with energy
that does not yield or listen.
God is urgently waiting to
finally arrive.
God, we have been waiting for
you, too.
Yet you often arrive before
we notice: in the place we did not expect, in the word we did not hear.
Do not be afraid, your angels always say,
right before you change a life.
You are here to change this place. We are not afraid.
Thanksgiving for
Baptism
God, you have
given water your power to end and your capacity to nurture life again. So, we
remember the rainwater that fell on Noah and his family, a flood that no creature could return
to the cloud. We remember the water of the Red Sea that stepped aside to let
your people walk to liberation and swept away the enemies of freedom. And in
Advent, we remember that your salvation breaks forth like water from a womb: a
sign that your child will be born to us once more, and nothing can stop this.
In the waters of baptism, we have been submerged in this same powerful sign.
God, pour out the water of
life. Carry us in the current of your irresistible will. Pull us with the
steady tide of your tenderness. When we swim against you, sweep us into your
mercy. We cannot control your salvation; your love flows everywhere, even over
our heads.
God, thank you for the water that breaks the grip of the world and erodes the edifice of sin. Thank you for the water that nurtures life as it begins again. Amen.
Gathering Hymn – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
The Greeting
Peace to you and welcome, from the God who blossoms the arid ground, the
Savior who rejuvenates the barren relationship, the Spirit who fills the empty
cup.
And also with you.
Lighting of the
Advent Wreath
In deep blue darkness, lighting a
single candle creates only uncertainty.
Light dances around uncertain shapes, and the dark refuses to yield its
secrets.
The flame from the candles
on our Advent wreath represents our flickering glimpse of the goodness God has
hidden in divine darkness.
In time we will apprehend
every blessing hinted from ancient prophecies and prepared under the cover of
deep darkness.
But not yet, not fully.
This candle, the third candle on our Advent wreath represents our growing
familiarity with God’s purposes, where the stories we have heard and the
traditions we have inherited resolve into new meaning for a new day.
In time we will stride
confidently forward into each new day, unwavering in devotion, unswerving in
direction. But not yet, not fully.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray.
Stir up
the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your
coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Readings
A reading from
the book of Isaiah (35:1-10)
The
wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like
the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
The
glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They
shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen
the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say
to those who are of a fearful heart,
‘Be strong, do not fear!
Here
is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with
terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.’
Then
the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then
the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for
joy.
For
waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
the
burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the
haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
A
highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the
unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveller, not even fools, shall go
astray.
No
lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they
shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
And
the ransomed of the Lord shall return,
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting
joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Word of God,
Word of Life.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 146:5-10
Happy are those whose help is the God of
Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the
sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
who
executes justice for the oppressed;
who
gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the
Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the
Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he
upholds the orphan and the widow,
but
the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The Lord will reign for ever,
your
God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!
A reading from the letter of James 5:7-10
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Word of God, Word of Life.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according
to Matthew. (11:2-11)
Glory to you, O Lord.
When
John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples
and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for
another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the
blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf
hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And
blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’
As
they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go
out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did
you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft
robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I
tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am
sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
The Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
I
come to you today in the name of Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier. Amen.
Talk about two very different situations for our
guy John. Last week, we found John preaching throughout Judea, calling on all
who would listen to “repent for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” He was on
a mission to prepare the way for the coming of God’s kingdom. He challenged authorities.
He baptized the people. He pointed towards another authority who would baptize
with the Holy Spirit and fire. John was full of confidence that he knew what
was coming next.
In this week’s reading, some months have passed
since he baptized Jesus and proclaimed him the chosen one, and our fire and
brimstone preacher of repentance finds himself in Herod’s prison. He challenged
the wrong authority and got thrown in jail, sentenced to death. He has heard
what Jesus has been up to and he’s in doubt, having second thoughts, questioning
whether Jesus really is “the one who is to come”.
I can only imagine that it would be hard to
maintain a positive attitude from a jail cell. John did everything he was
supposed to do as Jesus’ opening act, but here he is, awaiting a death sentence
while Jesus is out there doing all sorts of unexpected things.
John is one the greatest examples of a prophet
being willing to suffer for speaking about Jesus. Initially, he did not mind
going to prison because he was expecting that once Jesus had settled into his
role as the Messiah, he would make everything right. He would make quick work
of their Roman enemies and rescue him from prison.
When John declared to the world the Jesus is God’s
anointed one, he expected the world to change. But all these months later
nothing has changed. At least not in the big way the John expected or wanted.
John was expecting big and loud, but Jesus was being quiet and subtle.
John was willing to wait there, in Herod’s prison,
for him, but now John seems scared and uncertain, not because of his own plight
but because of what Jesus is reputed to be doing. He is not turning out to be
the kind of Messiah John expected. In verse 3, “Are you the one who is to come,
or are we to wait for another?” I hear a plea sent in doubt and fear to Jesus
through John’s followers.
What John saw in Jesus was the summation and climax
of all God’s promises to Israel; now, sitting alone in a prison cell, he is
still waiting for that promise to be kept. John is, at best, concerned and far
more likely, scared and disappointed. Measured against John’s hopes and expectations,
Jesus is falling disappointingly short of the mark.
It seems a little strange that we are reading an
Advent passage about John and his doubts. But, if you think about it, in the
midst of all the planning and shopping and celebrating we’ve been frantically
about, there does seem to be a greater amount of doubt and fear at this time of
the year. Physicians, psychologists, and pastors throughout history all report
an increase in requests for counseling, a rise in admissions to mental health
facilities, and a peak in suicides right in the midst of the holiday season.
And so John, it would seem, is not alone in his doubt and fears.
Christmas is not easy for everyone. There can be a
lot of joy and hope, and also a lot of fear and sadness. It is such an odd time
of year where all of our emotions seem to be in a battle for our attention. Sometimes
the Christmas holidays fall short of the mark, fall short of our expectations. Words
like “cancer” or “downsized” or “divorce” are breathed and we know ourselves to
be just as fragile and vulnerable as anyone else. And at these moments, which
seem so much more common at this time of the year, the words Jesus speaks offer
some measure of comfort.
There is no condemnation of John’s question.
Rather, Jesus acknowledges John’s inquiry as demonstrative of faith. “Go and
tell him,” says Jesus. “Go and tell John to believe in who I know him to be. Go
and tell John he is more than who he might have thought himself to be. Go and
tell John he did what he was called to be.”
These are words of hope that Jesus gives to John. They
are words of hope that we need to hear for ourselves; that we are more than we
think ourselves to be, that we are doing what we are called to do. In embracing
these words of hope, we are distinguished from those who believe nothing can
change and from those who believe they need to cause the change, alone and
without God’s help.
“Are you the one?” While Matthew’s portrayal of
John and his doubts is striking, and even startling, maybe it’s not so odd to
hear about it at Christmas, when we, too, at times, feel stuck between God’s
promises made and God’s promises kept; when we, too, at times, know ourselves
to live in between Christ’s first coming at Bethlehem and his second in glory;
when we, too, at times, disappointed by ourselves, the world, and even God,
find ourselves whispering a prayer as desperate as it is ancient and simple: O
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
“Are you the one?” We should lean into John’s question,
lean into the waiting, the wanting, the wonder. At moments of doubt and fear in
our lives, Jesus is the re-affirming confidence that God never gives up on
offering the world opportunities to become more like the realm of heaven. God
is not disappointed in us and comes to us anyway, eager to join us in our
weakness, to hold onto us in our insecurity, and to comfort us in our fear. For
God in Jesus came not for the strong and the proud but the weak and vulnerable.
God in Jesus, in other words, came for us.
“Are you the one?” is the question of longing; longing for what we dearly hope but then wonder if it can truly be. Longing for promises to come true when it seems that the cards are stacked against us. Longing for what was, but at the same time looking forward to what could be. Let John’s question be your question this week. Let us ask it together, not to answer it, not to solve it, not to tie it all up in a Christmas bow, but to wait together for God’s answer. Amen.
Hymn of the Day – What a Friend We Have in Jesus (ELW #742)
Advent Creed
We believe in God:
The
Source of all things.
The
God of Abraham and Sarah.
The
Holy One who freed the slaves from Egypt.
The
God who is steadfast love and mercy.
The
God who made a straight path in the wilderness and who promises to make all
things new.
We believe in Jesus:
The
Messiah, who is Emmanuel: God with us.
He
is King-of-Kings yet born of Mary.
Jesus
showed God’s love through healing and teaching,
Jesus
chose the way of servant-suffering by dying on a cross.
After
three days he rose from the dead.
He
is the Lord, the first born of the new creation.
We believe in the Holy Spirit:
The
One who inspires faith.
Who
has spoken through the prophets and preachers and common people,
The
One who breathes new life into the church and the world,
The
Lord and giver of life.
Who
is making all things new.
We
believe that God is still creating,
We
believe that Jesus is present with us.
We
believe that the Holy Spirit is calling us forth in love and mercy.
This is our hope, this is our faith. Amen.
Prayers
of Intercession
As we prepare for the fullness of
Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.
Silence
Gracious God, we rejoice in the gifts of your Spirit. Equip the global
church to magnify your love and peace in every land. We pray for the work of
the Lutheran World Federation and ELCA Global Mission.
God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Abundant God, we rejoice in your creation. Revive lands we have squandered
and depleted. Make gardens flourish in cities and neighborhoods. Cleanse polluted
air and water so living things may breathe, drink, and praise you.
God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Righteous God, we rejoice in your justice. End racism and oppression.
Deliver all who are unjustly imprisoned or persecuted. Reconcile nations and peoples
in conflict. Help us pray for our enemies.
God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Healing God, we rejoice in your compassion. Comfort any in distress because
of worry, illness, or loss. Strengthen and protect health care workers, rescue
teams, crisis counselors, and all who risk themselves to keep others safe.
God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Abiding God, we rejoice in your company. Give us calm and patient hearts as
we gather with family and friends. Keep us mindful of those for whom this
season is not happy. Console the grieving and surround them with loving
support.
God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Faithful God, we rejoice with Mary, Mother of our Lord, and with all the
saints, that your mercy endures for all generations. Look with favor on those
who have died and lead us to joyfully sing of your everlasting promises.
God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our
prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we
pray.
Amen.
The
Peace
The
peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Offering Hymn – Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (ELW
#254)
Offering Prayer
Let us pray.
God, we have labored and
toiled for our money
and our time and our
families and our freedom.
We have cherished what we
thought was ours.
Yet in a moment, we recognize
that every truly good thing
was a treasure we had taken
from your open hand.
We give you these gifts as
a sign of your love and faithfulness.
Use them to grow more hope
in this world.
All this we ask in your
holy name.
Amen.
Great
Thanksgiving
Holy Jesus, be our guest. For you are already here.
God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts in praise.
We lift them to our God.
Let us give thanks to the God of our
salvation.
It is right to give our thanks and praise
Holy God, once you made
humankind you could do nothing but love them.
Holy Spirit, once you called
the prophets,
you gave them words to afflict
and words to heal,
and they could do nothing but
speak them.
Holy Jesus,
once you committed to take the
human frame,
you walked the path to the
end.
You did not rush through
childhood.
You never used your power for
yourself.
You faced your enemies on
their terms.
You taught your friends until
they learned.
You allowed yourself to die
the same way you were born:
as a fragile person,
in a filthy place,
where bare flesh and blood were spilled to give life.
This is rarely a kind world,
but you love it anyway.
This was rarely an innocent
world,
but you saved it anyway.
We are rarely peaceful people,
but you have swaddled us in peace.
We will always hunger for
healing.
Nurse us with grace
Sanctus
While Pilate rested in his
palace,
and the city of Jerusalem
slept,
while the priests set their
plot in motion,
the disciples sat down at the table.
The bread was on the table;
the wine was in the glass.
This was the night for which
Jesus was born.
Even if you know this is part
of God’s plan,
you might still grieve.
To say goodbye to your closest
friends,
who do not know you will die.
To end the chapter of
friendship with the one you love,
before they turn away.
Even good days bring sadness
and loss.
And it was a good day, that
final day, filled with certainty and hope,
when Jesus lingered at the
table and took that bread and cup.
That night,
the night in which he was
betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread,
and gave thanks,
broke it, and gave it to his
disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body,
given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of
me.
Again, after supper, he took
the cup,
gave thanks, and gave it for
all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant
in my blood,
shed for you and for all
people
for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
At a meal like this, we savour the food while it lasts;
we cling to love before we
step out of reach.
And we pray that God will give
us each day the blessing we share in this place.
Holy Spirit, just as you made
a stable into a nursery fit for the sovereign of heaven, you make this table a
holy cradle for salvation.
You fashion this bread and
wine into the presence of Christ’s love.
And you make us your people,
who can never separate from you again.
The Lord’s Prayer
So, we pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation
to communion
People of God, come to the table
and encounter the God who
waits to love you.
Thanks be to God!
Distribution of communion
Table
Blessing
The body
and blood of our Lord
Jesus
Christ strengthen you
and keep
you in his grace.
Amen.
Prayer
after communion
As we have feasted around the table,
let us pray.
Faithful God,
in this meal you have
remembered your mercy,
bringing heaven to earth in
the body and blood of Christ.
As we wait for the day when
all your promises will be fulfilled,
sustain us and strengthen
us by this holy mystery.
Guide us toward your
promised future,
coming to birth in Jesus
Christ our Savior and Lord.
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 God almighty, ☩ the Son, and the Holy Spirit be amongst you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Sending
Hymn – Amazing
Grace (ELW #779)
Dismissal
God, we do not know the end to
which you call us.
God, let us be your
servants, wherever this road goes.
God, you could have judged us,
but you chose us.
You have made us worthy so
we might speak your words.
You alone guide us down the
path that leads to life.
Every other path is no longer
a path for me.
Go in peace. Serve the lowly.
Thanks be to God.
