December 8, 2024: 2nd 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)
********
Opening Hymn: Come, You/Ye Thankful People, Come (Goes with Old Testament, Epistle): LBW #407,
ELW #693, LSB #892
Hymn of the Day: My version of the Benedictus, “Bless Israel’s God” (sung to “O Zion, Haste”)
- Bless Israel’s God; he has redeemed his people:
Raised up a Savior born from David’s line;
Promised of old, through prophets’ proclamation,
To save from deadly foes with pow’r divine;
Promised to show our fathers mercy sure;
Promised his covenant forever shall endure.
- Through Abraham, God swore an oath to save us
From hands of foes, to serve him fearlessly
In holiness and righteousness before him,
There to adore and bless him constantly.
You, child – God’s prophet, go before his face,
Give saving knowledge of forgiveness and God’s grace!
- Tenderly, God bestows his love and mercy,
His heav’nly Dayspring shines upon our plight.
Darkness and death no longer can confound us:
In paths of peace, he guides us by his light.
Glory to Father, Son, and Spirit – Lord
God who through the ages ever is adored!
OR Blest Be the God of Israel (I don’t know the tune, but it looks harmless): ELW #552
OR Blessed Be the God of Israel (The jaunty English folk tune): WOV #725, ELW #250
OR Sing Praise to the God of Israel (A sturdy German tune): LSB #936
Communion Hymn #1: O Lord, How Shall I Meet You: LBW #23, ELW #241, LSB #334
Communion Hymn #2: On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry: LBW #36, ELW #249, LSB #344
Closing Hymn: Comfort, Comfort Now My People: LBW #29, ELW #256, LSB #347
*****
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 your refining fire. Purge away our sin. Purify us, body and soul, heart and mind, to worship you and care for one another in the name of your Son.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Make your Church the herald of good tidings, fearless in proclaiming your Word. Through it, comfort those who are lost and afflicted by sin, sorrow, and suffering. Let 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. Burn away all self-seeking, lust for power and prestige, and unjust actions. 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 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.
Thank you for your help and inspiration in writing our own prayers for this coming Sunday! I shall be reading them in the South of France in St Raphaël, Var!