FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Morning People
December 1, 2013
AS WE GATHER
Those who have served in the armed forces are likely all too familiar with Reveille, the early morning wakeup call by bugle. The word reveille is French in origin and simply means “to wake up.” In today’s reading from Romans 13, the apostle Paul is sounding a reveille for Christians. In verse 11, he broadcasts a spiritual wakeup call, saying, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” In light of Christ’s return, God’s people are to be morning people, that is, people who “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (v. 12). We hear that reveille call as we sing,
“Wake, awake, for night is flying,”
The watchmen on the heights are crying;
“Awake, Jerusalem, arise!” LSB 516:1
+ PREPARATION +
ENTRANCE HYMN
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 122:1–2
Pastor: I was glad when they said to me,
People: “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Pastor: Our feet have been standing
People: within your gates, O Jerusalem!
LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLE
Pastor: Jesus Christ is the Light of the world,
People: the light no darkness can overcome. [John 8:12; John 1:5]
CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION
Pastor: Lord God, we confess that we have failed to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). Rather than living in the light of Christ, we have instead walked in the darkness of our sinful flesh, sinning in thought, word, and deed. Grant us refuge in Your infinite mercy, O God, our heavenly Father, for the sake of Christ.
People: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
Pastor: “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11
Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
+ WORD +
INTROIT Psalm 118:25–28; antiphon: Zechariah 9:9b
Behold, your king is com- | ing to you;*
righteous and having sal- | vation.
Save us, we pray, | O Lord!*
O Lord, we pray, give | us success!
Blessed is He who comes in the name | of the Lord!*
We bless You from the house | of the Lord.
The Lord is God, and He has made His light to shine up- | on us.*
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the | altar!
You are my God, and I will give | thanks to You;*
You are my God; I will ex- | tol You.
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
Behold, your king is com- | ing to you;*
righteous and having sal- | vation.
SALUTATION
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: Lord, God, heavenly Father, at His first advent, You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be the light of the world. Grant that during this season of Advent, we put on the armor of light so that we may live as people who are spiritually awake in eager anticipation of our Savior’s second advent; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 2:1–5 (The Mountain of the Lord)
PSALM Psalm 122; antiphon: v.6 (Let us go to the house of the Lord)
Antiphon
Pastor: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
People: “May they be secure who love you!”
Psalm
Pastor: I was glad when they said to me,
People: “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
Pastor: Our feet have been standing
People: within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Pastor: Jerusalem—built as a city
People: that is bound firmly together,
Pastor: to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel,
People: to give thanks to the name of the Lord.
Pastor: There thrones for judgment were set,
People: the thrones of the house of David.
Pastor: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
People: “May they be secure who love you!
Pastor: Peace be within your walls
People: and security within your towers!”
Pastor: For my brothers and companions’ sake
People: I will say, “Peace be within you!”
Pastor: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
People: I will seek your good.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Antiphon
Pastor: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
People: “May they be secure who love you!”
EPISTLE Roman 13:8–14 (Fulfilling the Law through love)
ALLELUIA and VERSE Psalm 24:7 [May be used according to local custom.]
Alleluia. Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in. Alleluia.
HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 21:1–11 (The triumphal entry)
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the twenty-first chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
(The Gospel is read.)
Pastor: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE
HYMN OF THE DAY
SERMON - Celebrate! - Matthew 21:1-11
CREED Apostle's Creed (as found in the hymnal)
OFFERING
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us pray with faith in the One who comes in the name of the Lord, as we say, “Hosanna in the highest!”
Pastor: Lord of hope, during this season of Advent, prepare our hearts and minds for Jesus as He comes in Your name. Help us to make ready for His coming at His incarnation and also for His coming on the Last Day. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastor: Lord of hope, confident in Your promise that our “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11), help us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (v. 14). Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastor: Lord of hope, as temptation to focus on worldly things grows during these weeks before Christmas, grant us strength to forsake all covetous desires. Rather than pursuing passing things, grant that we seek Your kingdom and righteousness. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastor: Lord of hope, we thank You for our nation and the many blessings You have given us in this land. Bless our leaders and government with wisdom that they may govern justly and keep order while promoting peace. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastor: Lord of hope, watch over those who suffer from illness and pain [especially . . . ]. Grant them strength to trust in You in every trial of life. Lay Your healing hand upon them, and restore them according to Your gracious will. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastor: Lord of hope, thank You for Your gracious invitation to come to Your table, where You invite us to eat and drink Your holy body and blood. Grant us each the faith to receive this gift of grace for our benefit and to Your glory. Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer!
Pastor: Into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy and Your promise to hear us for the sake of our Advent King, Your Son, Jesus Christ.
People: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER(Matthew 6:9–13)
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.
BENEDICTION
Pastor: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
People: We bless You from the house of the Lord. Psalm 118:26
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26
People: Amen.
HYMN
Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series A, Part 1. Copyright © 2013 Concordia Publishing House.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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