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Second Sunday of Advent December 6, 2020

Gathering PRELUDE Gabriel’s Trumpet – Franklin D. Ashdown GREETING The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. ANNOUNCEMENTS The presiding minister shares announcements from the Trinity community.

LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH Two candles are lit on the advent wreath.

Blessed are you, God of hope, for you promise to bring forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse who will bring justice to the poor, who will deliver the needy and crush the oppressor, who will stand as a signal of hope for all people. As we light these candles, turn our wills to bear the fruit of repentance, transform our hearts to live in justice and harmony with one another, and fix our eyes on the root of Jesse, Jesus Christ, the hope of all nations. O people of hope, come, let us rejoice in the faithfulness of the Lord. Amen.

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GATHERING SONG Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (ELW 254) At-home worshippers are invited to sing.

PRAYER OF THE DAY The presiding minister leads the prayer of the day.

Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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Word READING: Isaiah 40:1-11 The assisting minister reads the lesson.

A reading from Isaiah. 1Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings;

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lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. PSALM 85:1-2, 8-13 At-home worshippers are invited to sing the refrain. The cantor sings the psalm verses.

GOSPEL: Mark 1:1-8 The presiding minister reads the gospel.

The holy gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. 1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; 3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”

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4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON The presiding minister delivers the sermon.

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HYMN OF THE DAY All Earth is Hopeful (ELW 266) At-home worshippers are invited to sing.

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PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION The assisting minister leads the prayers.

God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need. A brief silence.

Faithful God, you teach us to wait for you with faithfulness and patience. Sustain and support us in our doubts and questions. Nurture our faith as we discern and enact your mission. With the worldwide ecumenical community, today we pray for the churches of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Loving God, you set the stars in the sky and breathe life into the earth. Renew the face of creation where it is in need of your healing touch. Mend the wounds of environmental damage and restore balance to ecosystems so that all creation can declare your praise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Steadfast God, you never tire of seeking justice. Where people suffer from discrimination, judgment, and injustice, speak words of truth and comfort. Lead us toward a world where faithfulness will sprout underfoot and righteousness rain down from above. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Tender God, you know sorrow and joy alike. We pray for those in our families and congregation who are not joyful in this holiday season. Comfort those who grieve, be a companion to all who are lonely, tend those who are sick or struggling with depression, and gather all people in your healing embrace. We pray especially for Bruce, Marie, Linda, Paul, Del, Kim, Paul, Todd, Bruce, Rita, Gerry, Art, Arlene, Ron, Janice, Pat, Jill and Josiah, Marina and her family, and those we name in the silence of our hearts. [a pause] Ease their suffering and support them when they struggle. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Leading God, you ask us to make uneven ground smooth. Make even the disparities between your people. Sustain and support people with physical and

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intellectual disabilities. Accompany disability advocates who work for a world accessible to all. Teach us to celebrate the great diversity in our midst. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Eternal God, we give thanks for the saints who have prepared your way in the wilderness and taught us to continue their faithful work. Make their generous lives an example for all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Draw near to us, O God, and receive our prayers for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

Meal DIALOGUE The presiding minister greets the assembly.

God is with you. And also with you. Come, Emmanuel into our longing hearts. We lift them up to you, as we gather at this table. in anticipation and hope.

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THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE The presiding minister continues.

God of hopeful expectation, who enters into our stories, who births new life into creation, who invites us into a rich and restoring relationship, we come before you with humble hearts to greet you in our midst. You were there when creation burst into being with endless possibilities. You were there when the Israelites tasted liberty, and you opened their eyes to new freedom. You were there with Mary when she became a powerful vessel and witness, to birth love into the world. You were there with Jesus when he prayed in the garden, when he confronted death and brought resurrection life to your people. And you are with us now as we gather at your table, your meal and gift of love for all who come hungry and thirsty today. We come, like those first disciples, gathered around the table to hear Jesus’ words of promise and hope. On the night that he last ate with his disciples, Jesus took bread, 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. When the meal had finished, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new promise of life and love, poured out for all of you for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering his life, his death, and his resurrection,

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We offer these fruits of creation, bread and wine, and ourselves in grateful service. Thank you for your Spirit who works in and among us, in times of hope-filled anticipation. Who strengthens and sustains us, and who, challenges and prods us. Who gives us life and continues to surprise us with extravagant grace. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty God, now and forever. Amen. LORD’S PRAYER The presiding minister introduces the Lord’s Prayer.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. 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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION The presiding minister addresses the assembly.

Even as we watch and wait, Christ is here. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.

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COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

At-home worshippers are invited to consume their bread and wine.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION The assisting minister leads the prayer after communion.

Let us pray. Gracious and abundant God, you have done great things for us, and we rejoice. In this bread and cup you give us life forever. In your boundless mercy, strengthen us and open our hearts to the world’s needs, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Sending BLESSING The presiding minister proclaims God’s blessing.

May the God of truth grow your capacity for difference. May Jesus show you the way of love and hope. May the Spirit anchor you in the complexity of life Let us go forth in the name of God,

Creator, ☩ Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen. DISMISSAL The assisting minister sends the assembly into mission.

Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland – J.S. Bach

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New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Liturgical texts and music copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS103461. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Liturgical texts also adapted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion, Liturgies for Year B, Vol. 1 © 2015 Westminster John Knox Press; and from newly written Advent texts ©Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Hymn texts and music are in public domain, except the following, reprinted by permission under OneLicense, license #A-724555. All Earth is Hopeful Text and music © 1993, 1995 Centre de Pastoral Liturgica, admin. OCP Publications Permission to stream copyrighted music in this service is obtained from OneLicense, license #A-724555. In addition to the music listed above, it includes: Gabriel’s Trumpet by Franklin D. Ashdown, from Advent Awakenings © 2015 Augsburg Fortress

Lynn Thompson, president ▪ Tanya Ramer, pastor Jamie Courtney, parish administrator & minister of music

Helen Toman, visitation pastor ▪ Heidi Van Schaik, youth worker ▪ Brian Racho, sexton Ron Leonard, honourary assistant pastor ▪ Gywin Murray, emerita director of music

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church ▪ 23 Church Street ▪ New Hamburg, Ontario ▪ N3A 1J1

Phone (519) 662-1810 ▪ E-mail mail@telc.ca ▪ Web www.telc.ca