December 5, 2021: 2^nd Sunday of Advent

 

Malachi 3:1-7b: (I will send my messenger; refiner’s fire; presents God’s people for judgment)

              RCL/ELW: Malachi 3:1-4 (no presentation for judgment)

 Psalm 66:1-12: (You refined and tested us, and brought us into spacious place)

             RCL/ELW: Luke 1:68-79 (the song of Zechariah)

Philippians 1:2-11: (Prayer that they may overflow with love, wisdom, and insight, and be blameless at the day of Christ, having produced harvest of righteousness)

Luke 3:1-14(15-20): (The ministry of John the Baptist)

             RCL/ELW: Luke 3:1-6 (the rest comes next week)

 

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For the Church, the world, for one another, and for the sake of all people, let us pray to the Lord.

A brief silence

Thank you, dear Father, for promising that not one of your lambs, tended by your Son the Good Shepherd, shall be lost. Thank you that Jesus levels mountains, fills in valleys, and takes every road, until he finds and saves them. Unite us with him, so we, too may seek the lost and lead them to his embrace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Make your Church the herald of good tidings, fearless in proclaiming your Word. Through it, grant your comfort to those who are lost and afflicted by sin, sorrow, and suffering. In everything it says and does, may your Church constantly and faithfully announce: “Behold: Here is your God!”

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 Be merciful to our persecuted brothers and sisters who proclaim the name of Jesus even amidst their enemies. Make their witness shine as a light in the world’s darkest places. Pierce the hearts of their tormentors with the truth of the Gospel.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless and prosper the work of this congregation: its pastors and council members, its committee members and other volunteers, and all who worship with us. Keep us steadfast in faith, fervent in worship, radiant in holiness, patient in adversity, and beautiful in our love for you and for your people.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant wisdom to our earthly leaders. Use them to raise the poor from depths of despair. Level mountains of injustice and suffering throughout the world. We earnestly pray that nation will no longer raise sword against nation. Guide us all in the pathways of your righteousness and peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

John spoke wise words to soldiers who came to him for baptism. Grant integrity, courage, and competence to our military and first responders. Use them to restore safety and justice in dangerous places. Spare them from death. Heal them in mind and body. Strengthen their families. Bring them home swiftly when their task is done.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Remove the burden of pain and sorrow from the backs of all who suffer, especially {List}. Bring them into a broad and spacious place. Let them rejoice in your goodness and give thanks for their deliverance.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

 Merciful Father, we entrust into your never-failing care our beloved dead. Comfort those whose grief runs deep. Revive our spirits, direct our days and our deeds in your peace, and make us abound in every good work. Strengthen our hearts with the gift of your Spirit, so that we may be blameless at the coming of Jesus. And gather us, with all the redeemed, into your eternal Kingdom, where we shall rejoice in your goodness and righteousness forever.

Lord, in your mercy,

Hear our prayer.

 For all these things; for all we lift before you in the silence of our hearts; and for everything that you know we need, we pray in the name and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, and commend into your mighty and merciful hands.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor” (1 Timothy 1:12-13).

It does not matter what you were.  It matters Whose you are now.  Do you belong to yourself or to the Lord?  This is a fundamental question that must be answered if we are to be faithful.  Live the life, not the lie.  Walk with Jesus and do not pretend that you can live both in this world’s rebellion and as one who follows Jesus.  In the Lord, you will be strengthened to live by faith through this present age.

Lord, prepare me to live as You would have me live.  I have been a blasphemer and one who willingly nailed you to the cross.  Your grace is sufficient.  Guide me Lord in the way of living so that I would now and forever look to You as my rock, strength, shield, and fortress.  Bring me under the shadow of Your wing and, no matter what happens to me in this world, in You I will always be safe.

Lord Jesus, You have come to unite us with You.  Either we are, or we are not, for there is no neutral ground.  Guide me, Lord, to see that in You is all hope, not some hope, but all hope.  Lead me into the way of everlasting life in order that I may now and always abide in You knowing that You are abiding in me.  Put me into service and use me as You know I can be used for Your kingdom.  Amen.