November 29, 2026 – First Sunday of Advent

Lectionary Readings

Isaiah 64:1–9
Tear open the heavens and come down; save us from our sin.

Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, and save us.

1 Corinthians 1:3–9
God will strengthen you while you wait for Christ’s coming.

Mark 13:24–37
In those days the stars will fall from heaven; keep awake.

— Gathering —

Call to Worship

The sun is darkened; the moon does not give light.
Come, Lord Jesus.

You are the potter; we are yours.
Come, Lord Jesus.

Strengthen us so that we are ready.
Come, Lord Jesus.

Prayer of the Day

Great God,
no one knows the hour of your return,
yet we await your arrival, trusting that it will come.
There is a sense of urgency in our waiting.
We await the birth of Jesus,
but we watch for so much more,
anticipating all that your incarnation means in a hurting world.
Teach us to keep alert,
that we may not become complacent
or convinced that we have time.
Show us how to hurry up and wait,
to enact our expectation by sharing love,
offering forgiveness,
and living according to the movement of the Holy Spirit.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. 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:
We have all sinned, not one of us is clean;
but there is mercy for those
who call on the name of the Lord.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.

Restore us, O God of hosts.
Let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Save us, O Lord, from traps of our own creating:
from fear that blocks the way of love,
from worry that blocks the way of joy,
from isolation that blocks the way of relationship,
from structural injustices that keep the world bound.
Forgive us, O God of hosts,
until the stars fall from heaven
and we live as people transformed.

Lifting water from the font:
Every valley is lifted up; every mountain, made low.
Now the glory of the Lord is revealed,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
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

Season of Advent (and Christmas)
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