Saturday, November 28, 2009
First Sunday In Advent
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Psalm 146
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortals, in whom there is no help.
When their breath departs, they return to the earth;
on that very day their plans perish.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
The Lord will reign for ever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
READINGS:
AM Psalm 146, 147; PM Psalm 111, 112, 113
Amos 1:1-5,13-2:8; 1 Thess. 5:1-11; Luke 21:5-19
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My absolute favourite season of the church year. Have a blessed Advent, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteTim, it's my favorite season, too, but this year I don't feel quite ready. But since the season is about getting ready, I guess I'm okay.
ReplyDeleteWell, we are a threesome then because it is the season I love the most as well.
ReplyDeleteThe mystery that is God incarnate is so present during every moment of the season for me. It really is a time of renewal.
We have the same picture on our blogs. I LOVE that there's just one candle lit. I LOVE the progression of the lit candles. I LOVE the light coming into the world.
ReplyDeleteNot to worry about feeling ready. It's a progression, m'dear. Sunday by Sunday. Candle by candle. The Light of the World comes.
The problem is not being ready. The problem is being patient.
Elizabeth, I was quite pleased to find the picture of the wreath with one candle lit. I have one for next week with two candles lit. I'll share it, if you like. So far, no wreath with three candles lit.
ReplyDeleteCiss, usually I'm filled with joy and expectancy, but this year, I'm not feeling it. But that doesn't mean the feelings won't come. Do we usually have more time between Thanksgiving and Advent? If I could have my way, I'd move Thanksgiving back to October, which is more like a harvest month than November and not have the celebrations running so close together.
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteWhat saved me this year is my daughter-in-law took on Thanksgiving and all I had to do was supply the pies!
For me the winter here is heralded by Thanksgiving and the beginning of Advent and it's my time for reflection and quiet since the grandkids and kids are very involved this time of the year!
" Lo he comes with clouds descending, Once for our salvation slain... thousand, thousand saints attending. swell the triumph of his train... " ( Hymnal 1982 #57)
ReplyDeleteBlessed Advent!
Ciss, for Christmas, we won't be celebrating at my house. We'll contribute to the meal, but my daughter will be the host.
ReplyDeleteEpiscopal Evangelism, welcome and thank you for the lovely words from the hymn. I believe that He is coming soon.
A Blessed Advent to you.