Second Sunday of Advent
December 6, 2020
9:30 a.m.
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church
Lancaster, PA
Welcome to Advent! This season is necessary and important for us as we take this time to remind ourselves of our need of a Savior. Our worship during Advent also helps us look forward to our Savior’s second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. The prayerful, thoughtful attitude of Advent makes our celebration of the birth of Christ a true time of happiness. Welcome into this time of preparation and hope.
Having worship in the narthex presents challenges that are unique. The most noticeable challenge is the one of spacing. While families may sit close together, the effort to maintain distance with others must be attempted as much as possible. That includes, if necessary sitting in the entrance area between the sets of doors.
Within the liturgy, we will maintain the following practices for the sharing of the peace and the distribution of the sacrament of Holy Communion.
When sharing the peace of Christ, remain at your seat, make eye contact with someone and wave and say “peace.” Your smile is visible beneath your mask.
As regards the Holy Communion, the Pastor and Assisting Ministers will bring the sacrament to you. The pastor will drop the host into your hand, followed by the assisting minister with the chalice of wine, followed by the other assisting minister with the receptible for your used cup. Those persons not receiving communion are welcome to receive a blessing.
At the conclusion of the service, if you took a paper bulletin, keep your bulletin with you, and exit the building by way of the designated exit doors. The pastor will greet you outside. Because of the spacing requirements if you wish to have a conversation with someone, do so outside.
Thank you for your attendance and consideration as we all work to keep each other healthy.. As the weeks go by you may notice some other changes in order to make our Sunday experience both worshipful and as safe as possible.
Stay well.
Welcome and Announcements
Silence in preparation for worship.
The Prelude
The Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness
P
In the name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen
P
Together let us honestly and humbly confess our sin before God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
C
Loving and forgiving God, we confess to you our sins, known and unknown. In spite of our best efforts, we have gone astray. Restore us, O God. Forgive us. Wake us up and renew us each day in the light of Christ. Amen.
P
People of God, hear this glad news: by God’s endless grace you are free- free from all that holds you back and free to live in the peaceable kingdom of God. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen.
The Apostolic Greeting
P
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C
And also with you.
The Prayer of the Day
P
The Lord be with you.
C
And also with you.
P
Let us pray. 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.
C
Amen.
Children’s Message
The children remain at their seat as the pastor share a message with them.
Lighting of the Advent Candle
A
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
C
I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
A
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness
C
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
A
The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me.
C
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
A
We praise you, O God, for this circle of light that marks our days of preparation for Christ’s advent. As we light the candles on this wreath, kindle within us the fire of your Spirit, that we may be light shining in the darkness. Enlighten us with your grace, that we may welcome others as you have welcomed us. Grant this through Christ our Lord, whose coming is certain and whose day draws near.
C
Amen.
Hymn
Read in unison
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
embracing all things far and nigh:
in strength and beauty come and stay;
teach us your will and guide our way.
The Reading
Isaiah 40:1-11
A reading from Isaiah: Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak 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.
A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every 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. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; 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!” See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He 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.
A
The word of the Lord
C
Thanks be to God.
Gospel
Mark 1:1-8
P
The Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark, the first chapter.
C
Glory to you, O Lord
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ”
John 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.”
P
The Gospel of the Lord.
C
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Silence for reflection follows.
The Apostles Creed
C I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
The Prayers of the Church
A
God of power and might, tear open the heavens and come quickly to this weary world. Hear our prayers for everyone in need.
After each portion of the prayers:
A
Lord, in your mercy,
C
Hear our prayer.
The prayers conclude:
P
Into your hands, Gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
C
Amen.
The Sharing of the Peace
P
The peace of Christ be with you always.
C
And also with you.
Without leaving your seat offer a wave to your neighbor, sharing God’s peace, in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Please be seated.
Offering
The Offering is received as the Lord’s table is prepared.
Offertory Prayer
A
Let us pray. Generous God, you have created all that is, and you provide for us in every season. Bless all that we offer, that through these gifts the world will receive your blessing. In the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, we pray.
C
Amen
The Great Thanksgiving
P
The Lord be with you.
C
And also with you.
P
Lift up your hearts.
C
We lift them to the Lord.
P
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Eucharistic Prayer
P
Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:
Blessed are you for the birth of creation.
Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.
Blessed are you for your promise to your people.
Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams.
Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.
Blessed are you for your Son Jesus,
the Word made flesh.
In 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.
With this bread and cup
we remember your Word dwelling among us,
full of grace and truth.
We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.
We look with hope for his coming.
C
Come, Lord Jesus.
P
Holy God, we long for your Spirit.
Come among us.
Bless this meal.
May your Word take flesh in us.
Awaken your people.
Fill us with your light.
Bring the gift of peace on earth.
C
Come, Holy Spirit.
P
All praise and glory are yours,
Holy One of Israel,
Word of God incarnate,
Power of the Most High,
one God, now and forever.
C
Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
C
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.
The Fraction
P
Even as we watch and wait, Christ is here. Come, eat and drink.
C
Thanks be to God.
Please be seated.
The Distribution of Holy Communion
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America practices open table hospitality. Baptized communicants of other Christian denominations, of all ages, are welcome to receive the sacrament. Today we will bring the sacrament to you. The pastor will drop the host into your hand, followed by the assisting minister with the chalice of wine, followed by the assisting minister with the receptible for your used cup. Those persons not receiving communion are welcome to receive a blessing.
Post Communion Blessing
P
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C
Amen.
Post Communion Prayer
A
Let us pray. Gracious and abundant God, 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.
C
Amen.
The Blessing
P
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor, and give you peace. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C
Amen.
Sending to Serve
A
Go in peace. Prepare the way of the Lord.
C
Thanks be to God. We will!
Postlude
+++
Hambright School Christmas Gifts
Help to make Christmas special for the kids and families at Hambright School by purchasing “gift cards” of $20 or $25. There is a gift box in the breezeway to put your gift cards in on Sundays through December 13. Some gift card suggestions are: Target, Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Visa, or anywhere kids clothes or toys can be purchased. Thank you for your generous donations!
The Ladies at the Gatehouse
Everyone is invited to give a special gift of warmth in the form of a HAT, PAIR OF GLOVES, or SCARF to the ladies at the Gatehouse. A large white laundry basket is in the breezeway next to the narthex, ready for your donations. Any gently used coat or jacket would also be an appreciated gift for one of the ladies. These gifts will be collected through December 20. Thank you for your generous donations.
Acknowledgments
Copyright © 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS103416.
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.
Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission.
Readings for next week: Advent 3
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
John 1:6-8, 19-28