Join us in person or live-streamed at 10AM or find our recorded service at your convenience. Details on our Worship page. Service words are below.
Prelude: Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella (instrumental)
Acknowledgement
Welcome
Gathering Song: 97 CP Jesus Came the Heavens Adoring
Jesus came, the heavens adoring, came with peace from realms on high.
Jesus came for our redemption, lowly came on earth to die:
alleluia, alleluia! came in deep humility.
Jesus comes again in mercy, when our hearts are bowed with care.
Jesus comes again in answer to our earnest heartfelt prayer,
alleluia, alleluia! comes to save us from despair.
Jesus comes to hearts rejoicing, bringing news of sins forgiven.
Jesus comes in sounds of gladness, leading souls redeemed to heaven.
Alleluia, alleluia! Now the gate of death is riven.
Jesus comes on clouds triumphant, when the heavens shall pass away.
Jesus comes again in glory: let us then our homage pay,
alleluia, alleluia! till the dawn of endless day.
Gathering Sentences (Before the Amen)
God has done many awesome works.
Mountains have quaked and waters have boiled.
We are not impartial witnesses –
We have seen miracles and have not been afraid.
God has given us this world, and even as we do wrong to it,
We are loved. We have a home.
We have seen God’s patience.
We have felt unconditional love.
God works for those who wait and watch for signs,
for those who give tirelessly to others,
and even to those of us who struggle in trying to live God’s word.
We have a duty to watch and wait,
we have a responsibility to act, but each day,
we have the good fortune to live in the sight of God.
Prayer of Illumination (together)
God of the ages, in scripture we hear stories of people like us— ordinary people, people who longed to know you, people who longed to follow you, people who made mistakes, people who tried to grow— old, young, native, immigrant, new to the faith, lifelong believer. In scripture we hear stories of people like us, so just as you walked with them, help us to hear and remember all the ways that you walk with us. We are listening. We are grateful. We are yours. Amen.
Collect of the Day (together)
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put on the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to us in great humility, that on the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Birthdays and Anniversaries for November
Watch over your children, Oh Lord, as their days increase. Bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall and, in their hearts, may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Candle lighting liturgy
Worship Leader: “What gives you hope?” From the voices of different generations, hear their answers:
Ruth: My Girls
Lucas: Dogs wagging their tails.
David: Talking with young people.
Victor: Kindness from strangers.
Ruth: Spending time in the woods.
Lucas: Waffles.
David: Hands clasped in prayer.
Victor: Social progress.
Ruth: Hearing ‘I love you’ and ‘thanks mom’
Lucas: The ringing of church bells.
David: Babies trying over and over to take their first step.
Victor: The turning of seasons.
Ruth: Christian community.
Lucas: Books.
David: Friendship with my adult children.
Victor: Advocates for justice.
Ruth: Hearing children playing percussion instruments with the choir
Lucas: The sunrise every single morning.
David: What gives you hope?
Victor: Today we light the candle of hope to remind ourselves that God is at work in this world.
Light the candle.
Victor: From generation to generation, God has brought good news of love and compassion,
justice and community. Let us rest and abide in that good news. Amen.
The Proclamation of the Word
A reading from the prophet Isaiah 2.1–5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Living word of God live in our lives today
Psalm 122 Refrain: I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. Refrain
Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together. To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. For there the thrones for judgement were set up, the thrones of the house of David. Refrain
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.’ For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. Refrain
A reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans 13.11–14
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarrelling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Living word of God live in our lives today
Gradual Hymn: 111 CP Herald, Sound the Note of Judgement
Herald! Sound the note of judgement, warning note of right and wrong,
turning us from sin and sadness, till once more we sing the song.
Sound the trumpet! Tell the message! Christ the Saviour King has come!
Herald! Sound the note of gladness! Tell the news that Christ is here;
make a pathway through the desert for the one who brings God near.
Sound the trumpet! Tell the message! Christ the Saviour King has come!
Herald! Sound the note of triumph! Christ has come to share our life,
bringing God’s own love and power, granting victory in our strife.
Sound the trumpet! Tell the message! Christ the Saviour King has come!
The Lord be with you And also with you
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew 24:36-44
Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ
‘But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.
The Gospel of Christ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Homily
Affirmation of Faith (Sarah Speed, A Sanctified Art)
We believe in a God
who promised to Abraham,
who wrestled with Jacob,
who walked with Ruth,
who spoke with Moses,
who grieved with Bathsheba,
who danced with David,
who dreamed with Joseph,
and who hoped like Mary.
We believe in a God who has been loving,
inviting, transforming, and challenging us from generation to generation.
And we believe that same God is here with us now, saying,
“Come on in; there’s room for you here.” Amen.
Prayers of the People
Today on this first Sunday of Advent the Sunday of Hope we offer our prayers to God for the whole of
creation. And on this Sunday of Hope we commemorate and celebrate the life of Comfort Odogun, who died November 17, 2020, with her family gathered with us today.
Almighty and eternal God, from whose love in Christ we cannot be parted, either by death or life: hear our prayers and thanksgivings for all whom we remember this day; especially Comfort and fulfill in them the purpose of your love; and bring us all, with them, to your eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
On this Sunday of Hope we pray that those who have finished their life journey find that our Saviour, who promised to have everything prepared to receive us, receive those we love in the greater presence of the Creator. Filling us with all hope and joy that they have a new beginning in the eternal realm. Help those that are left behind with the grief of loss to find their way in faith with the knowledge that the God who created us gently receives us when our earthly journey is complete and that those we love are at peace. Amen
We give thanks in this giving season of Advent for those who share from their abundance with those who struggle to make ends meet, for those who answer the call to serve where the need is great. We pray that those who receive will also see hope as more than a word and know that they are not alone or abandoned.
We pray for our world, with all of its cares, struggles and upheaval that hope and a willing spirit to meet on common ground instead of our differences be the start of a new beginning for the problems of our world that seem to become more insurmountable.
We pray for those who struggle to find their place in a community and try to find where they best fit in and where they feel most comfortable. In the dark and struggle we pray that the light of hope will kindle and help them to find where they are best supported and know that they are an integral part of the body of Christ and of the community they call home.
Hope is the light that shines in the darkest of corners, the places of great loss, the struggles of the world and humanity. Hope is our common ground where we can meet and shine light. Help our lights shine brighter. Amen
Call to Confession
In God’s house, everyone is welcome— those who seem like they have it all together, and those who
feel like their world is falling apart. No matter who we are, there’s room for us here. With that
confidence, we turn to God in prayer, speaking the truth of our lives. Let us pray:
Prayer of Confession
God of today and God of tomorrow, you say, “Bring your full self. There’s room for you here.”
But we say, “Our lives are too messy.”
You say, “Bring your hopes and your dreams. There’s room for you here.”
But we say, “It’s too risky to hope.”
You say, “Bring your grief and your prayers. There’s room for you here.”
But we say, “Some things are easier to forget.”
God of today and God of tomorrow, we know in our hearts that there’s room for us here.
Forgive us for withholding our full selves from you. Forgive us for giving only our Sunday best.
Help us remember, today and tomorrow,
There’s room for every story. Amen.
Words of Forgiveness
Family of faith, we who feel scattered are held together. We who have lost our way are forgiven and found. And we who are lonely are brought into the fold and are told, “There’s room for you here.” From generation to generation, this is the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ we are held, forgiven, found, and welcomed. Thanks be to God! Amen.
The Peace of the Lord be always with you
And also with you
The Offertory Hymn: Christ Be Our Light
Prayer over the Gifts
God of love and power, your word stirs within us the expectation of the coming of your Son. Accept all
we offer you this day, and sustain us with your promise of eternal life. We ask this in the name of Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer 3
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of heaven and earth; we give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, who in the fullness of time came among us in our flesh, and opened to us the way of salvation. Now we watch for the day when he will come again in power and great triumph to judge this world, that we, without shame or fear, may rejoice to behold his appearing. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might Heaven and Earth of your glory are full Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord
Blessed is one who comes in the name of the Lord Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might Heaven and Earth of your glory are full Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest.
We give thanks to you, Lord our God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation;
in calling Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets;
and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son.
For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
to be the Saviour and Redeemer of the world.
In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you.
In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, a death he freely accepted, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them,
and said, “Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, Father, according to his command,
we remember his death,
we proclaim his resurrection,
we await his coming in glory;
and we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine. We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts,
that they may be the sacrament of the body of Christ and his blood of the new covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we, made acceptable in him, may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In the fullness of time, reconcile all things in Christ, and make them new, and bring us to that city of light where you dwell with all your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (sung: Cameron)
Breaking of the Bread
God of promise, you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.
Happy are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God
Thanks be to God
The Communion
Hymns during Communion: Bound for the Promised Land
Let There Be Light
REFRAIN:
Holy and blessed Three, glorious Trinity:
Wisdom, Love, and Might!
Let there be light! Let there be light!
You whose almighty word chaos and darkness heard. Let there be light!
Victor of sin and death, giver of holy breath. Let there be light! REFRAIN
Hope for all you bring, on your redeeming wing. Let there be light!
Dawn out of sinful night, making the darkness bright. Let there be light! REFRAIN
Spirit of truth and love, life-giving Holy Dove. Let there be light!
Bringer of holy fire, aim of our heart’s desire. Let there be light!
REFRAIN:
Holy and blessed Three, glorious Trinity:
Wisdom, Love, and Might!
Let there be light! Let there be light! Oh, let there be light!
Prayer after Communion
God for whom we wait, you have fed us with the bread of eternal life. Keep us ever watchful, that we
may be ready to stand before the Son of man. We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord. Amen
The Doxology
Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.
An Advent Benediction (A Sanctified Art)
As you leave this place, may you go knowing that from generation to generation,
we have been claimed and loved.
From generation to generation, God has been by our side.
From generation to generation, we are not alone.
The God of yesterday and the God of tomorrow knows you by name, loves you, and calls you forth, saying,
“Go be the person you are called to be, love wildly, do justice, and come back soon.”
May it be so. Amen.
Announcements
Closing Hymn: Wake From Your Sleep
REFRAIN
Wake! Wake from your sleep!
Rise up from the dead!
Rise from the waters deep!
Christ in your heart and head!
His peace fill your heart;
His life for your own.
His light shine in the dark,
and bring you safely home. REFRAIN
His spirit fill your days;
Love’s fire, Holy wind.
His cross to mark your way,
and lead to journey’s end. REFRAIN
Dismissal
Go forth in the world rejoicing in the power of the Spirit
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!!
Postlude: Ipharadisi
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Kulapho sophumla khona. Ipharadisi.
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Kulapho sophumla khona. Ipharadisi.
Ipharadisi where all the dead are living
Ipharadisi where all the dead are living
Ipharadisi where all the dead are living
May we one day join them all there. Ipharadisi.
Ipharadisi where all the dead are living
Ipharadisi where all the dead are living
Ipharadisi where all the dead are living
May we one day join them all there. Ipharadisi.
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Ipharadisi, Ikhaya labafile
Kulapho sophumla khona. Ipharadisi.