MICAH 6.8

Hopeful Expectation The Realm of God Is Near First Sunday Of Advent November 27, 2022 A Liturgy For Worship and Meditation ☩ SONG—Gather Us In, by Marty Haugen—(CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC) Here in this place new light is streaming Now is the darkness vanished away See in this space our fears and our dreamings Brought here to you in the light of this day Gather us in, the lost and forsaken Gather us in, the blind and the lame Call to us now and we shall awaken We shall arise at the sound of our name We are the young, our lives are a mystery We are the old who yearn for your face We have been sung throughout all of history Called to be light to the whole human race Gather us in, the rich and the haughty Gather us in, the proud and the strong Give us a heart so meek and so lowly Give us the courage to enter the song Here we will take the wine and the water Here we will take the bread of new birth Here you shall call your sons and your daughters Call us anew to be salt for the earth Give us to drink the wine of compassion Give us to eat the bread that is you Nourish us well and teach us to fashion Lives that are holy and hearts that are true Not in the dark of buildings confining Not in some heaven light years away But here in this place the new light is shining Now is the kingdom, now is the day Gather us in and hold us forever Gather us in and make us your own Gather us in, all peoples together Fire of love in our flesh and our bones Fire of love in our flesh and our bones. ☩ AN ADVENT PRAYER God of hope, who brought love into this world, be the love that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought peace into this world, be the peace that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought joy into this world, be the joy that dwells between us. God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be the centre, the focus of our lives always, and particularly this Advent time. ☩ SONG—Veni, Veni—(Click Here) Veni veni, Emmanuel captivum solve Israel, qui gemit in exsilio, privatus Dei Filio. R. Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel, nascetur pro te Israel! Veni, O Sapientia, quae hic disponis omnia, veni, viam prudentiae ut doceas et gloriae. R. Veni, veni, Adonai, qui populo in Sinai legem dedisti vertice in maiestate gloriae. R. Veni, O Iesse virgula, ex hostis tuos ungula, de specu tuos tartari educ et antro barathri. R. Veni, Clavis Davidica, regna reclude caelica, fac iter tutum superum, et claude vias inferum. R. Veni, veni O Oriens, solare nos adveniens, noctis depelle nebulas, dirasque mortis tenebras. R. Veni, veni, Rex Gentium, veni, Redemptor omnium, ut salvas tuos famulos peccati sibi conscios. R. O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that morns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. R. Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel, to thee shall come Emmanuel! O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. R. O come, o come, Thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times did give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe. R. O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem, from ev'ry foe deliver them that trust Thy mighty power to save, and give them vict'ry o'er the grave. R. O come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav'nly home, make safe the way that leads on high, that we no more have cause to sigh. R. O come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadow put to flight. R. O come, Desire of the nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid every strife and quarrel cease and fill the world with heaven's peace. R. ☩ PRAYER OF THE DAY In this Advent of expectation draw us together in unity, that our praise and worship might echo in these walls and also through our lives. In this Advent of expectation draw us together in mission, that the hope within might be the song we sing, and the melody of our lives. In this Advent of expectation draw us together in service, that the path we follow might lead us from a stable to a glimpse of eternity. ☩ SONG—Hallelujah—(Click Here) ☩ READING—Isaiah 2.2-5 2 In the last days, the mountain of YHWH’s Temple will be established as the most important mountain and raised above all other hills— all nations will stream toward it. 3 Many people will come and say: “Come, let us climb YHWH’s mountain to the Temple of the God of Jacob, that we may be instructed in God’s ways and walk in God’s paths.” Instruction will be given from Zion and the word of YHWH from Jerusalem. 4 God will judge between the nations and render decisions for many countries. They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; § one nation will not raise the sword against another, and never again will they train for war. 5 O house of Leah and Rachel and Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of YHWH! —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. ☩ PSALMODY—Psalm 122 1 How I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of YHWH!” 2 And now our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem restored! The city, one united whole! 4 Here the tribes ascend, the tribes of YHWH. They come to praise YHWH’s Name, as God commanded Israel— 5 Here, where the tribunals of justice are, the judgment seats of David’s house. 6 Pray for peace within Jerusalem: “May those who love you prosper! 7 May peace be in your walls! May your citadels be always secure!” 8 For the sake of my family and friends, I say, “Peace be within you!” 9 For the sake of YHWH our God, I will seek your good. —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. ☩ READING—Luke 1.5-25 5 In the days of the ruler Herod, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the priestly class of Abijah. His wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. 6 Both were worthy in the sight of God and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of our God. 7 They were childless—unable to conceive—and they were both advanced in years. 8 Now it was the turn of Zechariah’s priestly class to serve. And as he was fulfilling his priestly office before God, 9 it fell to him by lot, according to priestly usage, to enter the sanctuary of our God and offer incense. 10 While the full assembly of people was praying outside at the time of day when the incense was offered, 11 an angel of our God appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. 12 Zechariah was deeply disturbed upon seeing the angel, and was overcome with fear. 13 The angel said to him, “Don’t be frightened, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, whom you’ll name John. 14 He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of our God. He must never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will bring many of the children of Israel back to their God Most High. 17 He will go before God as a forerunner, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just—to make ready a people prepared for our God.” 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife too is advanced in age.” 19 The angel replied, “I am Gabriel, who stands before God. I was sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. 20 But because you have not trusted my words, you’ll be mute—unable to speak—until the day these things take place. They’ll all come true in due season.” 21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondered about his delay in the sanctuary. 22 When he finally came out he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision inside. But he could only make signs to them and remained mute. 23 Then, when his time of priestly service was over, he went home. 24 Some time later, Elizabeth conceived. She went into seclusion for five months, 25 saying, “our God has done this for me. In these days, God has shown favor to us and taken away the disgrace of our having no children.” —Priests for Equality. The Inclusive Bible. Sheed & Ward. ☩ PRAYER God of justice and peace, from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness, that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder before your marvelous deeds. Raise our heads in expectation, that we may yearn for the day of your Advent and stand without blame in your holy and blessed realm, forevermore. Amen. Hope and Expectation Zechariah and Elizabeth The story of Elizabeth and Zechariah is our story. Zechariah is fulfilling his work as a priest in the Temple. He is doing God's work. Yet, the one thing that he always wanted and prayed for was a son. If only he and his wife, Elizabeth, could bear a child his dream would be fulfilled. But now he is old in age and with the time that has passed it would be most improbable for a pregnancy to happen. But then God's ability is far beyond what we see as improbability We do not know the disposition of Elizabeth and Zechariah's hope at this point. All we know is that he was serving his duty in the Temple. I suppose many of us would have lost hope by now and in hopelessness tending to Godly things would be more of a job than a joyful vocation. But here he in the Temple he is faithfully doing the work a priest. His faithfulness in work is evident. The presence of hope within him is not. We can only assume that with an unfulfilled dream hope is waaning. It is then that Gabriel the Angel of God appears. In a place of seems hopeless the hope of God is proclaimed. The message is clear but a challenge to believe in. "Zechariah was deeply disturbed upon seeing the angel, and was overcome with fear." In that experience of awe and mystery the angel shares God's message: “Don’t be frightened, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear a son, whom you’ll name John. He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of our God. He must never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb. And he will bring many of the children of Israel back to their God Most High. He will go before God as a forerunner, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the rebellious to the wisdom of the just—to make ready a people prepared for our God.” Zechariah struggles to accept the word as truth. “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife too is advanced in age.” Still the Angel persisted: “I am Gabriel, who stands before God. I was sent to speak to you and bring you this good news." But there is consequence for not taking the message at face value: "But because you have not trusted my words, you’ll be mute—unable to speak—until the day these things take place. They’ll all come true in due season.” The people wondered about Zechariah’s in his dumfounded state. His gestures tell of a mystery only he has heard. The promise of God being shared in sign language. What else could Zechariah do with such expectation locked up within his body, old in age, and barren in the dream of fatherhood? They people appear quci to discern that Zechariah had experienced a vision from God. I mean what else would this priest running around , arms thrust in the air. It is as if the people were more willing to believe the improbable that the one whose dream was to be fulfilled. What a pregnant moment! The Advent of God is like that. It is so wrapped up in awe and mystery that one can never be sure, unless one takes what God is offering as an act of faithful trust. Zechariah received the revelation, but his old age brought the doubt of rationality. Now in silence the work of God will be completed. It will be fulfilled but there will be a time of waiting, a time of wondering if it is true, a time of hoping a renewed hope that strangely nudged the soul into faith. It was to be but not yet. “Being here but not yet” is the theme of Advent. We ourselves know that paradox quite well. We eat the bread and drink the wine of the new Kin-Dom. Yet we know there is still much to be done. We pray. "Your Kin-Dom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Still the Realm of peace and justice will come but not yet. Obviousliy there the grace of time for the much work that is needed In the Advent time of waiting, patience is needed and hope needs to be kept alive. Ironically, the very thing Zechariah and Elizabeth so longed for was now promised but the outcome would take time. God was at work fulfilling the promise. Yet it is a time when one hopes against hope working so hard and exhaustingly to birth the faith that will trust the promse and the One who promises. As I write these words we are ourselves living in such a pregnant time. There is the possibility of so many wonderful things to happen, yet there is doubt and the struggle to remain faithful. Earth itself is waning away. Climate change and weather are causing more loss than in years prior. The infrastructure of even the best of first world nations is crumbling. Nations are at war and at odds with one another. In our own nation there is a division between people like we have not seen since the mid-19th century. Day by day shootings are taking the life of people in community gatherings, schools, shopping centers, church settings, and randomly on our streets. Lies are being perpetuated and conspiracy theories spread, sweeping people into behaviors and words that defy both rationality and morality. And these falsehoods are purposefully embraced and perpetuated by some leaders of our government as if to mislead and profit from them. Greed has run amuck making the poor poorer, erasing the middle class, and being the controlling power of the day. But, that is only one side of our reality. Something is coming and it’s going to be good! The God of Creation, the God and Redemption, the God of Sustaining Presence will not settle for the status quo nor allow human fickleness to determine what will be. We are people of that promise and we live in hope trusting God to be God. Zechariah and Elizabeth who were thought to be old and barren became the very place of new life. New life was to be born into the world because it was God who was the doer of new things. In the shadow of these days light will come. In the places we think to be void of God, God will appear. In our longing hope faith will see us through. As it was for Elizabeth and Zechariah it will be for us. So, in Advent we await the new as we fight against the woe and doubt that arises in our heart or hearts. All because we know deep inside God will do what is holy and just, bringing peace and wholeness to all. Thanks be to God! SONG—Hymn of Promise, Natalie Sleeth—(Click Here For Music) 1. In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 2. There’s a song in ev’ry silence, seeking word and melody. There’s a dawn in ev’ry darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 3. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. ☩ PRAYER Creator of the universe, from whom all things come, to whom all things return, give your people such unity of heart and mind, that all the world may grow in the life of your eternal Kin-Dom. Amen. ☩ PRAYER OF INTERCESSION For all people everywhere—that we may grow in our awareness of how God is fulfilling the deepest desires of our hearts, expectantly await God’s continuing work, and learn to recognize God’s presence in our lives . . . For the grace of attentiveness—that we may be aware of the signs of the times and that the Spirit will shake us from our complacency to live life fully each day . . . For authenticity—that while surrounded by the darkness of selfishness, jealousy, and greed, we may live as children of the light and show God’s love, patience, and compassion to others . . . For all who await God's blessings, particularly those who are pregnant, those who are separated from family or homeland, and for members of the military awaiting to return home—that God’s comforting and strengthening love will sustain them . . . For freedom from fear—that we may know God’s presence with us even in times of darkness and confusion . . . For leaders of nations—that their hearts may be awakened by God so that the needs for jobs, healthcare, safety and nourishment may be met for all who are in need . . . For all children—that they may recognize all the blessings that are theirs and that their hearts may not be lost in the things that they desire . . . For all who are working for peace, particularly in the middle East—that God will guide and inspire their work and open new doors for peace, cooperation, and economic advancement . . . For all who are ill, particularly those who are awaiting surgery—that God’s healing love will sustain and comfort them . . . For all who are returning home this weekend—that God will keep them safe and help them to arrive without delay . . . For the homeless and the homebound—that they may experience love and acceptance through our concern and outreach . . . For all who are searching for jobs—that God will open new doors and new opportunities for them to use their gifts and support their families . . . For all who yearn to be free and begin again, particularly those with addictions, those in abusive situations, those experiencing discrimination and persecution—that God lead them to healing and new beginnings . . . For communities torn by strife and civil discord—that God will turn hearts from violence and help everyone to listen and work toward a common good . . . For the gift of peace—that God will teach the hearts of all the human family so that swords may be turned into plowshares and the resources for war into resources for healing and development . . . God, in your mercy and companion, here our prayers. Amen. ☩ SONG—Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding, Edward Caswall—(CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC) 1. Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding! "Christ is near," we hear it say. "Cast away the works of darkness, all you children of the day!" 2. See, the Lamb, so long expected, comes with pardon down from heav'n. Let us haste, with tears of sorrow, one and all, to be forgiv'n; 3. So, when next he comes in glory and the world is wrapped in fear, he will shield us with his mercy and with words of love draw near. 4. Honor, glory, might, dominion to the Father and the Son with the everlasting Spirit while eternal ages run! ☩ SENDING FORTH Go in peace to share the coming of God's Kin-Dom in all it's fulness. And the blessing of the Holy, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One be with you forever. Amen.