Time to Go Home

Meditation for Gathering

The Day is Surely Coming
(Jeremiah 33:14-16)

A day, certain and on its way,
And we feel it approaching
Slowly first, then in a quickened pace
Like a promise on its way
To being fulfilled

A day when justice and righteousness
Is executed as surely as the day breaks
Sun shines, rain falls, fog gathers
At foothills

A day is certainly coming
Sure as breath
A day of safety
A name of a Holy One
On the lips: Branch
Righteous One
Hope

Certainly on its way

Valerie Bridgeman Davis, The Africana Worship Book for Year C (Discipleship Resources, 2008), 23.

Call to Worship

Pastor: Something stirs deep within us – a longing, a hope,
People: A thirst for joy, a hunger for peace, a yearning for blessing.
Pastor: We know deep within that our hopes and fears
People: Will be met by angel songs and baby sighs.
Pastor: It is Advent -
People: Season of waiting, hoping, yearning.
Pastor: Advent -
All: Time to go home.

Dr. Derek C. Weber, Director of Preaching Ministries, Discipleship Ministries of the UMC

Call to Worship

(Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10)

The days are surely coming, says the Lord,
when I will cause a righteous Branch to spring forth
and bring my promised salvation to Israel.
The Lord is our righteousness.
The days are surely coming, says our God,
when justice and mercy will be executed
throughout the land.
The Lord is our righteousness.
The days are surely coming, says the Lord,
when my promised one will teach transgressors my ways,
and heal the world with love and mercy.
The Lord is our righteousness.

Opening Prayer

(Psalm 25: 1-10, Luke 21: 25-36)

Righteous one,
to you alone
we lift our souls;
in you alone,
we place our trust;
for you alone
we wait all day long.
For you are the God
of our salvation,
abounding in mercy
and steadfast love.
Help us remain alert and watchful
for the coming of your promised one—
the one who comes with power and glory,
the one drawing near
to bring our salvation. Amen.

Adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2009, © 2008 Abingdon Press. Posted on the Ministry Matters website. http://www.ministrymatters.com/ Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/11/call-to-worship-prayer-advent-1-c.html.

Prayer Reflection

(based on Luke 21: 25-36)

But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads. Luke 21:28

We shudder at signs we see.
Anxieties bombard us.
Our hearts are
afraid.
Lord,
Let us be vigilant, hold our heads high.
Make us an Advent people
with hope as our
stronghold.

Jesus,
You once came into our world with all its sorrows.
Keep us awake and alert to your presence
in the midst of our struggles now.
Tell us again that your love
will triumph.

Written by Anne Osdieck, and posted on The Center for Liturgy Website of Saint Louis University, http://liturgy.slu.edu. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2012/11/gospel-reflection-luke-21-25-36.html.

Words of Assurance from Jeremiah 33:14-16

God fulfills God’s promises.

We may not know the time, but the days are surely coming when righteousness, justice, and safety will abide in our communities.

The days are surely coming when God will execute Shalom: love, peace, health, and well-being for the people who walked in darkness.

The days are surely coming when there is a cure for AIDS, when every gun will be beaten into tools for rebuilding, when every child will have the opportunity to develop God-given gifts, and when every adult will see every child as a gift from God.

The days are surely coming when no city will fear the hurricane, no country will fear nuclear bombs, no tribe will fear annihilation by another, and no person will fear another because God chose to create all people in the diversity of God’s image.

God fulfills God’s promises, and the days for fulfillment are surely coming.

Marilyn E. Thornton, The Africana Worship Book for Year C (Discipleship Resources, 2008), 157.

Prayers of the People: Advent 1 C

(inspired by Jeremiah 33:14-16)

O God, the days are surely coming when all your promises will be fulfilled to your faithful children. We pray for the church (especially . . .), that we might fulfill our promises to you, and be forgiven for all our failures.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your time, O Lord, a righteous branch sprang up and you brought justice and righteousness in every land. We pray for our nation, and all nations, that your peace would be manifest in every corner of the earth.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord, you bring your people safety and comfort. We pray for the sick, the suffering, and those in distress of any kind (especially . . .); that you would heal all injuries, comfort all grief, and settle all wrongs.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Your great works of redemption, O God, span the ages. We pray for those who rejoice this week (as they celebrate their birthday, especially . . . and anniversaries . . .) that they might be filled with joy and gladness.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In the fullness of time, O God, you sent your son, to be born of our sister Mary. And his name was Emmanuel: God With Us. We thank you for your Presence with us, and we pray that you might be always present with those whom we love but see no longer. (Especially . . .)

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Come among us O God, and hear our prayers; so that when your Son Jesus comes among riding on a cloud and with great power and might, we might come to adore him. Amen.

Written by Rick Morley, and posted on Rick Morley’s blog, http://www.rickmorley.com. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/08/prayers-of-people-advent-1-c.html