The First Sunday of Advent
REFLECTION
What if we viewed the advent of God’s kingdom not exclusively through the lens of Christ but also through Mary, the God-bearer? Thus a woman’s salvation comes not from outside her but literally from within—from within her womb, the center of creativity, the place of her deep wisdom. This changes not just the way we view ourselves but how we live as spiritual beings. We are no longer waiting on a rescuer. We realize we are ready to conceive and give birth to new life in the virgin sense—a creative act between God and us, no masculine authority necessary. We can, as women, say yes to the divine annunciation, quite apart from any sinner’s prayer, the blessing of priests, or deliverance by kings.
— Kyndall Rae Rothaus, Thy Queendom Come
Christmas is about believing what a woman said about her sex life.
Christmas is about a family finding safety as refugees.
Christmas is about a child in need receiving support from the wealthy.
Christmas is about God identifying himself with the marginalized not the powerful.
— Carlos Rodriquez
What was achieved in the body of Mary will happen in the soul of everyone who receives the Word.
— St. Gregory of Nyssa
COLLECT
Urgent God, breaking through the static to speak to our hearts: disarm our love of control and shake the silent heavens to reveal your dawning glory, judging all in the light of love; through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come. Amen.
PRELUDE
GREETING
Rev. Joshua Jalandoon (he/him), Worship Leader
Leader: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
PREPARATION
CALL TO WORSHIP
In this season of Advent, we wait in expectation for the coming light of Christ.
Advent means coming
We are preparing ourselves for the days
When the nations shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war any more.
— Isaiah 2:4
Let us walk in the light of the Lord.
PRAYER OF ADVENT LONGING
God of hope,
as night workers long for the sunrise,
we long for the coming of Christ.
In our worship today we yearn for your Spirit
to give us a glimpse of your glory,
that one day we will see in full,
when all will be made new,
through Christ, our Lord, our light.
All: Amen.
PRAISE
SONGS
Come, Oh Redeemer, Come
Fernando Ortega, ©1996
To Thee We Run
Eric Marshall, ©2012
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
Psalm 130, NRSV
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered. I wait for you, O Lord, my soul waits, and in your word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and great power to redeem. It is God who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
O promised Christ: We are a world at war. Our peace depends on your coming. We are a sinful people. Our pardon depends on your coming. We are full of good intentions but weak at keeping promises; our only hope of doing God’s will is that you should come and help us do it. Lord Christ, Word made flesh, our world waits for your peace, for your pardon, and for your grace. Even so: come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
In the midst of darkness, we are a people of hope waiting for the return of our Lord. God will renew the world through Jesus, who will bring an end to all unrighteousness, purify the works of human hands, and perfect our fellowship in divine love.
Christ will wipe away every tear and death shall be no more. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and all creation will be filled with God’s glory.
This is the good news.
Thanks be to God!
PASSING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
SONG
Be Our Peace
Karl Digerness, ©2020
BLESSING OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Leader: People of God, what is our prayer for our children and youth?
People: May the Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you.
Leader: May God give you patience as you learn to watch and wait for God’s new creation, and may you filled with hope as you trust in God’s promise to make all things new, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit
All: Thanks be to God!
SONG OF RENEWAL
Come Thou Fount
Robert Robertson, 1758 | Asahel Netleton, 1825
COMMITMENT
WORDS OF WELCOME
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
SCRIPTURE
Luke 1:26-38, NRSV
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
SERMON
Rev. Fred Harrell (he/him)
Mary, Mother of God
OFFERING OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS
The offering is a way for Christians to support the mission and ministry of the church. Christians offer a sacrificial portion of their resources–time, talents, possessions–as an act of faith and gratitude in response to God’s grace. While many at City Church make their regular contributions through online giving and automated bill pay, offerings are a part of our worship service as an opportunity for the regular, proportionate and generous giving of the resources God has given us.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of peace, you gave your Son to free a lost world. You give your Spirit to comfort and encourage. You give us hope for a future free of pain, sorrow, and tears. You promise us a future with you. In gratitude, we bring you our time, talents, and tithes. May our gifts be used so that many others will taste and see the goodness of knowing you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
MUSICAL OFFERING
Mother of God
David Gungor, John Arndt, ©2014
COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORDS TABLE
CONFESSION OF FAITH: APOSTLES CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord!
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
SONG
Sanctus
Peter Schltes, ©1966
Together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE BREAD & CUP
The Gifts of God for the People of God
COMMUNION PRAYER
Eternal God, we give you thanks for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us. Give us grace, that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit, to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PASTORAL PRAYER
God of hope, comfort and sustain us as we wait for you.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus
THE LORD'S PRAYER
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 forever. Amen.
SONG
God With Us
Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, ©2012
BENEDICTION
May God, our refuge and our strength, be with you in your waiting this Advent: God’s peace be with you as you forgive your enemies, God’s comfort be with you as you mourn, God’s light be with you in your doubt, God’s hope be with you, even in the shadow of death, God’s love be with you as you love one another; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
MUSICIANS
Lisa Mezzacappa, bass
Rob Reich, accordion
Minna Choi, vocals/piano
Karl Digerness, guitar/vocal