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First Sunday of Advent • Year C
December 1, 2024
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Historical Collect
Stir up your power, O Lord, and come, that by your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins and saved by your mighty deliverance; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Gregorian Sacramentary, 6th Century)
Thematic Collect
God of righteousness, you are ever-faithful to your promises to your people. Strengthen our hearts and transform our lives so that we might always be prepared for the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
We are saved, not by our own righteousness or goodness but, by the Lord’s righteousness. Despite our transgressions, God is our salvation. We truly live by taking our stand in him, established in the blamelessness of his holiness—not our own piety. Jesus is the only sign of salvation we need in which to place our hope. He alone is our redemption, a deliverance that is drawing nearer every day.
First Reading • Jeremiah 33:14-16
A progeny of King David will arise in fulfillment of the promise of God. He will accomplish justice and righteousness in the land in such a way that God's people may live securely. As this branch or shoot of David is called “The Lord Our Righteousness” or “Yahweh Our Righteousness,” it is clear that this promised Davidic offspring is God.
Psalm • Psalm 25:1-10
Like his mercy and love, God's promises are from of old. That does not mean that he has forgotten them—or those to whom he made the promises. Therefore, those who wait for him will not be embarrassed since God is not slow to keep his promise—as it may sometimes seem to us—to keep his promises. Instead, he is patient with his creation so that his mercy and love may extend to many (2 Pet 3:9).
Second Reading • 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Advent should push our hopes beyond the remembrance of the baby Jesus. “The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” should always be on the edge of our thoughts, prayers, and worship—and especially so during this season. Therefore, we may look forward to Christ's second advent, as well as the fulfillment of God's promise of justice and righteousness. Because of his first advent, he has become faithful and just to forgive us of all unrighteousness, making us blameless and holy at his second advent.
Gospel • Luke 21:25-36
Yes, there will be signs. Yet the greatest sign of all is the word of Jesus. His promise is all the guarantee we need to believe that our redemption is drawing near. It is a wicked and faithless person who seeks any evidence beyond the word of the Lord (Matt 16:4).
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
