CCLI license #1913561
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Questions for Reflection:
When things seem out of control to what, or to whom, do you turn? Where do you turn to renew your hope?
Prelude Comfort, Comfort You My People” Ps 42 Johannes Olearius, 1671 words by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette © 2015 * sung by Keisha Prime
Comfort, comfort you my people,
Tell of peace, thus says our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness
Bowed beneath oppression's load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
Of the peace that waits for them;
Tell them that their sins I cover,
And their warfare now is over.
For the herald's voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Bidding us to make repentance
Since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise in meeting
And the hills bow down in greeting.
Make you straight what long was crooked,
Make the rougher places plain:
Let your hearts be true and humble,
As befits God's holy reign,
For the glory of the Lord
Now o'er earth is shed abroad;
And all flesh shall see the token
That God's word is never broken
Call to Worship
O that God would tear open the heavens and come down!
Of that day or hour, no one knows, only God.
Be alert! Keep awake! The time is drawing near.
Opening Prayer
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us! Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Amen.
Advent Candle Lighting “From Lament to Hope”
Introduction
Watch and wait for Christ’s coming! We light candles of hope, peace, joy and love, remembering the promises of God with prayer.
On this first Sunday in Advent, we light this candle of hope.
Prayer: God of hope, out of death you bring life. Renew us in hope to the dawning of Christ’s Advent among us.
God of promise, God of hope, into our darkness come.
“How Can It Be” William Marion Runyan, 1923 words by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette , sung by Keisha Prime
This hymn literally has hope hidden within its verses; look at the beginning letters of the various lines.
How can it be, that the wicked ones prosper?
How can it be, that the greedy ones thrive?
How can it be, that oppression and anger
Hold such control, while the poor just survive?
Refrain:
Though hope is hidden now, God changes nations.
God brings the powerful down to their knees.
God sets a table of great celebration.
God sent us Jesus who welcomes and frees.
Old ways of selfishness, old ways of sinning,
Old ways of apathy seem to go on.
Old angry patterns still seem to be winning,
Old fears and prejudice shadow the dawn.
Refrain
Prophets proclaim it in times of despairing,
Pushing toward justice while others destroy.
Precious the gift! And it's ours for the sharing!
Precious is Christ, who brings hope, giving joy.
Refrain
Evil may prosper, but God's love is stronger.
Everyone, some day, will know this is true:
Envy and strife will not win any longer.
Eternal God, all our hope is in you!
Refrain
Though hope is hidden now, God changes nations.
God brings the powerful down to their knees.
God sets a table of great celebration.
God sent us Jesus who welcomes and frees.
Refrain
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, heaven and earth will pass away, but your words will not pass away.
May our generation be attentive so that, by the power of your Holy Spirit, we remember your ways and gladly do right, meeting you whenever and however you appear. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Reading from the Prophet Isaiah 64:1-9
O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence --as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil -- to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence!
When you did awesome deeds that we did not expect, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who gladly do right, those who remember you in your ways. But you were angry, and we sinned; because you hid yourself we transgressed. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy cloth.
We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be exceedingly angry, O LORD, and do not remember iniquity forever. Now consider, we are all your people.
Reading from the Gospel of Mark 13: 24—32
"But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory.
Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.
"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Sermon “ It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” The Rev. Russell Lehman
Music Have Your Way in Me, Jesus” composed (2013) and sung by Keisha Prime
Chorus
Have your way in me, Jesus, Jesus.
I live for Your glory, Jesus, Jesus.
Your will be done. Your kingdom come in me.
Your pow’r and your blood compels me to give You all of me.
I commit myself to you. I give you all I am.
For You deserve all that I have.
You are worthy. You are worthy.
Nothing can take your love from me.
Your hope is where I stand.
And every day I gaze upon your beauty, your beauty.
(chorus)
You are everlasting. You are always holy.
Your grace is all encompassing. Jesus, Jesus.
With you I’ll live forever.
In the wonder of your splendor.
Your ways are pure and righteous, Jesus, Jesus.
Jesus (repeat)
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
God of power and glory, we remember your awesome deeds across the ages—the times you saved us and brought us home. Yet, we also remember the times when we have felt alone and afraid.
O God, we are your people, the work of your hand. Look upon us with your shining face, especially in the time of need.
We pray for those who look to you for healing and hope . . . those who are sick or recuperating from illness and injury . . . those who are lonely and need companionship and care . . those for whom the holidays bring sorrow or pain . . . those whose deep sadness overshadows joy.
Let your face shine upon us, O God.
We pray for people in need of restoration and reconciliation: for those battling addictions and those in recovery . . . for people estranged from those they love . . . for those who are lost in grief . . . and those who are far from home.
Let your face shine upon us, O God, that we might be saved.
Renew the spirit of a world grown weary with waiting and hoping. Especially we pray for those who are afflicted by the pandemic; for health care workers and and first responders who transport the ill to hospitals; for hunger and poverty to be overturned by gracious and compassionate sharing and for an end to those systems which keep people mired in poverty; for an end to violence – among nations, within communities, and within homes.
We pray, too, for the church: Grant us clarity, passion, and true fellowship so that we are awake to your presence. Let your face shine upon the church and all this weary world, we pray; in the name of the One born in a manger and coming again on clouds of glory. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer (Ecumenical Version)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
A Statement about Offering our Gifts
Friends, trusting in God’s providence, we share not only the gospel of Christ
but our lives as well. In this time of pandemic and separation, let us remember that we are still the church, Christ’s body at work in the world.
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website @lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Prayer of Dedication
Faithful God, strengthen our testimony and spiritual gifts; increase generosity in us, we pray, as we wait for the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Charge and Blessing
Keep awake. God is doing awesome things we do not expect. And Christ is coming near.
May God strengthen us,
Christ draw near to us;
and the Holy Spirit awaken us until, with eager longing, we greet the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Postlude "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Latin c 12th century sung by Keisha Prime
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight, refrain
Refrain:
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace. Refrain