The First Sunday in Advent
An online service of worship
Scripture Texts: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
We are restored and saved in a most important way. God has come down in his Christ and saved us. This is that awesome deed that we could never have expected of him. But he does not stop there; he enriches us with good gifts to be used to bear fruit for his kingdom until he returns. He sustains us until that Day when he comes in the clouds with great power and glory to gather us with all the elect. This is his word to us, so we must be on guard, watching for his return.
Here is an online jigsaw puzzle of Mark 13:26.
Video
Order of Worship
Collect
O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide (LBW 38)
Text: German Spiritual; tr: Martin L. Seltz; Tune: “Gesangbuch,”
O Savior, rend the heavens wide;
come down, come down with mighty stride;
unlock the gates, the doors bread down;
unbar the way to heaven’s crown.
O Morning Star, O radiant Sun,
when will our hearts behold your dawn?
O Sun, arise; without your light
we grope in gloom and dark of night.
Sin’s dreadful doom upon us lies;
grim death looms fierce before our eyes.
Oh, come, lead us with mighty hand
from exile to our promised land.
There shall we all our praises bring
and sing to you, our Savior King;
there shall we laud you and adore
forever and forevermore.
Apostolic Greeting
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Kyrie
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7 (responses are the even-numbered, bold verses)
1Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin| and Manasseh,
stir up your strength and come to help us.
3Restore us, O God of hosts*
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6You have made us the derision of our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7Restore us, O God of hosts;
show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37
Sermon: “Beyond All Expectations”
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen
Offertory Prayer
Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Create In Me
Create in me a clean heart, oh God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your free Spirit.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Blessing
Announcements
St. Mark's and New Hope Lutheran Church in Kannapolis have formed a common parish. We welcome visitors to our online and in-person services. We hope you will join us—or continue watching services on our website if distance or other reasons do not allow you to be with us in our sanctuaries.
Sundays In-person
9:00am ET @ New Hope, 1615 Brantley Road, Kannapolis, NC
11:00am ET @ St. Mark's, 5002 Mooresville Rd., Salisbury, NC
Wednesday Livestreamed Vespers
7:30pm ET @ our parish Facebook page
Visitor Info
We welcome visitors to our online and in-person services. We hope you will join us—or continue watching services on our website if distance or other reasons do not allow you to be with us in our sanctuaries. Services follow C19 guidelines.
Offering
There are two ways to give your offering.
Or mail check to:
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
5202 Mooresville Rd,
Salisbury, NC 28147