Lectionary Readings
Isaiah 11:1–10
From Jesse’s root, a child will come with the spirit of the Lord.
Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19
May the king rule with righteousness and defend the poor.
Romans 15:4–13
Trust God’s promises in Scripture; rejoice and live in hope.
Matthew 3:1–12
John calls for repentance: prepare the way of the Lord.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Adapted from Isaiah 11
A tree stump left to rot puts forth new shoots.
Could it be that heaven is near at hand?
A wolf slinks toward sheep and joins their fold.
Could it be that heaven is near at hand?
A child plays while serpents slumber.
Could it be that heaven is near at hand?
A prophet cries out from the wild places:
Prepare the way! For heaven is near at hand.
Prayer of the Day
God of the barren places,
whose Spirit rouses stagnant hearts to life,
come baptize us in fire that clears away
the detritus of despair and apathy.
Set our spirits ablaze with impossible dreams
of oppressors giving up their power for peace
and children at play where war once reigned,
that, in dreaming, we might come to believe
a better world is possible, and begin
to ready the way for your incoming kin-dom. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the hope and longing you instill in us
through the promise of our baptism—
a voice crying out in the wilderness,
a messenger to prepare the way,
the day of redemption drawing near.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
keep us awake and make us ready
for the coming of your glorious realm
of righteousness, justice, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
John the Baptist’s cry echoes through the ages:
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near!
Here and now, we go to God in humility and faith,
confessing our sins.
God of all creation,
your vision of peace is beyond our knowing.
We have been hurt
and we have seen destruction,
so we turn around and hurt others,
destroying what you have called good.
Forgive us,
and fill us with your knowledge,
so we may help bring forth your peaceful kin-dom.
Lifting water from the font:
Christ comes into our world—
Christ comes into our lives—
to purify us and give us another chance.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
We rejoice in the hope Christ offers us!
Thanks be to God!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Holy God, our hope and strength,
by the power of your Spirit
prepare the way in our hearts
for the coming of your Word,
so that we may see the glorious signs
of your promise fulfilled;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
A voice is crying in the wilderness:
Listen to the word of the Lord.
Mark 1:3; John 1:23
After the readings:
Heaven and earth will pass away
but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Thanks be to God.
Isaiah 40:8; Mark 13:31
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Now to the God of all wisdom,
who strengthens us according to the gospel,
through Jesus Christ be all glory forever. Amen.
Romans 16:25–27
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus.
His faith and obedience were the response
of the perfect child of God.
He was the fulfillment
of God’s promise to Israel,
the beginning of the new creation,
and the pioneer of the new humanity.
He gave history its meaning and direction
and called the church to be his servant
for the reconciliation of the world.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19
Prayers of Intercession
Gathered here, in the house of the Lord,
let us pray for the coming of Christ’s realm.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of the church …
Bring peace, O God, to your people;
may we live in harmony and love
according to Christ’s new commandment.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of the earth …
Bring peace, O God, to all creatures;
hasten the coming of the day
when wolf and lamb may live together.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of all nations …
Bring peace, O God, to every land;
help us to seek what is just and right,
and defend the cause of the poor.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of this community …
Bring peace, O God, to our city [town];
teach us to welcome one another
just as Christ has welcomed us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of loved ones …
Bring peace, O God, to all your children;
bless us with life, health, and prosperity
so that we may praise you all our days.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the peace of Jerusalem …
Bring peace, O God, to the world you have made:
the peace that passes understanding
and the promise of your new creation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is coming in glory to reign. Amen.
Psalm 122:6
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
All things in heaven and earth belong to God,
who is coming in glory to reveal a new creation.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
2 Peter 3:8–15
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
Eternal God,
as we wait for the fulfillment of your reign,
use these gifts and the gifts of our lives
to bring justice to those who are oppressed,
to set free those who are in prison,
to lift up those who are bowed down,
and to uphold those who are vulnerable. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
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, O Lord our God:
The earth is full of your knowledge and glory.
You made all creatures to live in peace and safety,
and sent a little child to lead us.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Baptized by John, Christ came to deliver us from sin,
and to pour out the Holy Spirit upon your church.
By our faith in Christ, we have the hope of eternal life.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Fill us with wisdom and understanding, knowledge and power,
and grant that we may live in harmony with one another
as we await the coming of the kingdom of heaven.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
God our hope, we give you thanks
that you have given us this foretaste
of the justice, righteousness, and peace
of your promised new creation.
Strengthen us with this heavenly food
as we seek to serve your holy realm.
Lead us to live in joyful expectation
of the coming again in glory
of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the God of peace make you holy
and the power of the Spirit sustain you
until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!
1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
Prepare the way of the Lord! Amen.
Isaiah 40:3; Mark 1:3
“Tree of Jesse”
Absolon Stumme, 1499
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
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Now the Heavens Start to Whisper (G) JEFFERSON GTG 94
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O Lord, How Shall I Meet You (OE) VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN GTG 104
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Prepare the Way, O Zion (OEG) BEREDEN VÄG FÖR HERRAN GTG 106
WORD
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Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old (O) SAMANTHRA GTG 77
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Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming (O) ES IST EIN’ ROS’ GTG 129
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On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (G) WINCHESTER NEW GTG 96
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Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice (G) ABERYSTWYTH GTG 163
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Who Hears the Voice of the Hungry / Imagine (OE) IMAGINE LUYH 72
EUCHARIST
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Prepare the Way of the Lord (G) PREPARE THE WAY GTG 95
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We Gather Here in Jesus’ Name (E) COME, SHARE THE LORD GTG 510
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Sheaves of Wheat (E) UNA ESPIGA GTG 532
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Jesus Came (OE) OLOF 295
SENDING
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Comfort, Comfort Now My People (G) GENEVAN 42 GTG 87
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Rejoice! Rejoice, Believers (E) LLANGLOFFAN GTG 362
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Dream On, Dream On (O) DREAM ON GTG 383
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May the God of Hope Go with Us (E) ARGENTINA GTG 765
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The Time Has Come (OG) WEXFORD CAROL Sing No Empty Alleluias, Chris Shelton, GIA, 123
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19
Metrical
- Hail to the Lord’s Anointed [ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN]; PAS 72A
- All Hail to God’s Anointed [ROCKPORT]; GTG 149
Responsorial
- In His Days Justice Will Flourish; PAS 72C
- I Will Give You as a Light; UMH 795
Organ Music
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“Gabriel’s Message,” Augsburg Organ Library: Advent I, Paul Manz, AF (ME)
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“Prepare the Way,” Carols Before, Carols After, James Mansfield, LOR (E)
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“The King of Glory,” Augsburg Organ Library: Advent II, Aaron David Miller, AF (MA)
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“Watchman, Tell Us of the Night,” Carols Before, Carols After, James Mansfield, LOR (ME)
Piano Music
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“Allemande,” French Suite V in G Major, BWV 816, Johann Sebastian Bach, HEN (M)
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“Moderato on Fire, Op. 78a, No. 2,” Pleiades Dances VI VII VIII IX, Takashi Yoshimatsu, Ongaku no Tomo (ME)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” Marianne Forman, CGA, SATB, pno (E)
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“Prepare the Way of the Lord,” Michael Larkin, MSM, SATB, pno (ME)
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“Comfort, Comfort Ye My People,” John Ferguson, AF, SATB, org, opt tamb, picc, 2 cl (ME)
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“The Rose,” Joel Thompson, OUP, SATB, bari solo, pno (M)
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“The Dream Isaiah Saw,” Glen Rudolph, OUP, SATB, org, opt brass and perc (MA)
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“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” Brandon Waddles, GIA, SATB, acap (A)
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“A Spotless Rose,” Herbert Howells, OUP, SATB, tenor or bass solo, acap (A)
Art
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Joyful Mountain Landscape, Paul Klee, 1929 (VDL)
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St. John the Baptist, El Greco (Dominikos Theotokopoulos), 1597–1607 (PD)
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Tree of Jesse, Absolon Stumme, 1499 (VDL)
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John the Baptist Preaching to the Masses in the Wilderness, Pieter Bruegel, 1566 (VDL)
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Prepare the Way, Jan Richardson (JR)
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The Desert in Advent, Jan Richardson (JR)
