November 29, 2020 - 11:00am
Advent I
The Congregation of Hope United Church
2550 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rev. Brian Stevens  BA. MDiv

HopeUnited.ca 

WELCOME
Welcome everyone to our Sunday on-line Service of Worship. My name is Marion Burt. We are very pleased to have you with us today on this first Sunday of Advent has begun! Our musicians today are Sandy, Suzanne, Janice and Rev. Brian. You can type greetings and comments at any time in the chat. The order of service will appear on your screen and is also available on our Facebook page and at HopeUnited.ca. We will be celebrating communion today, so if you have not already done so, please gather together a small juice as well as a wafer, cracker or morsel of bread. Worship materials today are drawn from Days Surely Coming, by Miriam Spies. Thank you to our readers and musicians.
Our service today is led by our minister here at Hope United, Rev. Brian Stevens.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE LAND
With respect, we acknowledge the world views, spirituality, history and stewardship of the Mississauga of Scugog, the Hiawatha and the Alderville First Nations, on whose traditional lands our church resides. 
We thank and honour the other indigenous peoples who share this land.  As followers of the Jesus Way, we affirm our commitment as a people empowered to work in restoring broken relationships.

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” 

O come, O come Emmanuel                          Rejoice! Rejoice!
And ransom captive Israel.                             Emmanuel…
That mourns in lowly exile here                     Shall come to thee O Israel.
Until the son of God appear. 

O come O Wisdom from on high.                 Rejoice! Rejoice!
Who orders all things mightily.                      Emmanuel…
To us the path of knowledge show               Shall come to thee O Israel.
And teach us in her ways to go.

CALL TO WORSHIP
(Miriam Spies) 

The days are coming:
When God’s promises are fulfilled.
The days are coming:
When God leads us on paths of righteousness.
The days are surely coming:
When the kingdom of God draws near.
Let us worship our God of possibilities and hope.
God be with you.
And also with you.

OPENING PRAYER
Holy and Eternal God, as we await the coming of our Messiah, for you to enter our lives and our world, may our hopes for your coming kingdom echo your hopes. 

Challenge us to recognize your paths for us.
Let us grow expectantly in community, as we make the pilgrimage to the manger once again to witness your ways and your grace in the world.  

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE
We light this first candle, beginning with hope…
The hope that God holds for a new world.
God’s gift of hope…
That persists to bring forth life.
God’s gift of hope…
That protests the way the priorities of the world discounts people.
God’s gift of hope
That names all as beloved and beautiful children

This is God’s gift of hope. Amen.

(The first Advent candle is lit)  

Voices United # 6 “A Candle is Burning”
A Candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
A candle of Hope in Decembers’ dark night
While angels sing blessings from heaven’s starry sky,
Our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of hope,
we confess that too often
we prefer darkness to light,
and that we are easily distracted
by our plans to yours.
We accept lies as truth,
exploit neighbours,
abuse the earth,
and choose strife instead of peace. 
In your mercy,
hear our silent confession of sin;
forgive what we have been,
help us amend what we are,
and direct who we shall be.

ASSURANCE OF GRACE 
We know that when God thinks of us,
God does not remember our sin,
but remembers us in the light of God’s own steadfast
love and mercy for us.
Know that you are forgiven,
and forgive one another. Amen.

VU # 22 Wait for the Lord
Wait for the Lord…
Whose day is near
Wait for the Lord
Be String, take heart!

THE PEACE OF CHRIST

               May the Peace of Christ be with you always.
            And also with you.

        (Un-mute to greet one another!)

FIRST READING         Isaiah 64:1-9 

And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.  Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’”

 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God. This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites.  See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you. Now then, choose twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one from each tribe.  And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD—the Lord of all the earth—set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.  Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing.

It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 80 Voices United # 794 

Refrain: Your face, God, shine on us and give us peace.

Shepherd of Israel, hear us
You who lad Joseph like a flock,
You who are enthroned amidst the cherubim.
Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh
Stir up your might, come and save us

Refrain: Refrain: Your face, God, shine on us and give us peace.

God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayer?
You have fed us with the bread of weeping
And given us tears in plenty to drink.
You have made a mockery of us to our neighbours.
            And our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Let your hand rest on the one at your right hand,
On the one you have made strong for yourself
Then we will never forsake you;
Give us life, and we will call on your name. 

Refrain: Refrain: Your face, God, shine on us and give us peace.

GOSPEL READING         Mark 13:24-37

But in those days, following that distress,

“‘the sun will be darkened,
  and the moon will not give its light;
  the stars will fall from the sky,
  and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.  And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.  Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.  It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” 

Hear the Good News of Christ!
Praise to you, O Christ.

Let us join our hearts and voices in the singing of “As a Fire is Meant for Burning”. The words will be found on your screen and are found in Voices United # 578.

“As a Fire is Meant for Burning”  (verses 1 and 2)
As a fire is meant for burning
With a bright and warming flame
So the church is meant for mission
Giving glory to God’s name
Not to preach our creeds or customs
But to build a bridge of care
We join hands across the nations
Finding neighbours everywhere. 

We are leaners we are teachers
We are pilgrims on the way
We are seekers we are givers
We are vessels made of clay
By our gentle, loving actions
We would show that Christ is light
In a humble, listening spirit
We would live to God’s delight.

REFLECTION:  “Noticing God”   - Rev. Brian Stevens BA MDiv

MUSIC MINISTRY “The Potter’s Hand” by Darlene Zschech (Sandy)

MORNING OFFERING
Let us bring our gifts, our hopes for God’s new world, in service and love. Lord may you
Bless these gifts, O God, that they may help prepare the way to the manger, to your
entering our world with justice and humility.

DOXOLOGY “I Thank You, Thank You, Jesus”
I thank you, thank you, Jesus…
I thank you, thank you, Jesus…
I thank you, thank you, Jesus in my heart. 

I thank you, thank you, Jesus…
I thank you, thank you, Jesus…
I thank you, thank you, Jesus in my heart. 

PRAYER INTERCESSIONS
(Lee Osophy – Prayer blog)

O Creator God, we are Your clay, we are all Your people, each of us moulded by the work of Your Hand. Gather us from the four winds and restore us, that we may be relieved of our unbelief, awakened by Your Light, and never again turn away from You

O Lord of Hosts….                                     
Keep us alert and prepared      

O Creator God, enlighten the souls and steady the hearts and minds of all who govern across this Earth. Straighten the path to peace and unity with local, national, and international friends and adversaries alike, guiding the path to justice, mercy, humanitarian, and planetary care.

O Lord of Hosts
Keep us alert and prepared

O Creator God, rekindle our hope in this waiting time, especially in all who are anointed in Your Name, to lead us to Your Truth that is our Christ.

O Lord of Hosts
Keep us alert and prepared

O Creator God, embrace and sustain all who are seriously ill or facing desperate times, that they, and those who give support, may know Your warmth, light, and encouragement within. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need…

Mics will be unmated so that you may add your own petitions.

For all petitions offered, intentions and prayers and all those named allowed or in the quiet of our hearts…

O Lord of Hosts
Keep us alert and prepared

COMMUNION HYMN

Bread for the Journey MV # 202.. we will sing it three times

Bread for the journey…
Food for the way.
Cup of God’s blessing,
Tomorrow, today.

Advent Communion Liturgy
Written by Alydia Smith,
Program Coordinator, Worship, Music, and Spirituality, General Council Office

As we come to this table,
we are reminded that this is the table of Jesus Christ,
a banquet prepared for everyone.
All who seek to be nourished and sustained
in the journey of faith,
all who seek wholeness and compassionate paths to peace and justice,
are welcome here.    

God be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift our hearts in prayer.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, Breath of peace,
Giver of all life,
Source of love that knows no boundaries.
Your song of wisdom rang out before the world began;
throughout the ages, your song of liberation has impregnated us with your hope for a world where:
              those considered last and least are first and most;
violence is overcome by the power of your ancient love; and,
all siblings work together for peace.

You bring our longings to birth,
and send prophets to awaken us
to your approaching Advent among us.

We thank you for those who, like Mary,
       have the strength and courage
       to give birth to your love in the world;
for those who, like the shepherds,
       dare to seek out the Child of Bethlehem;
for those who, like the wise ones,
       actively challenge violent and oppressive powers. 

We praise you that your everlasting light is shown to us
       in womb and tomb,
       in cradle and cross,
       in tenderness and compassion.

At this time, we also remember
all with whom you would have us share your feast.
We pray for all who are in sorrow or in pain…
all who are ill or alone…
all who are close to our hearts…
all our sisters who live with fear, oppression, or hunger…
all whose lives have been blighted by violence, racism, or poverty…
for all whom the world counts as last and least.  

We pray for the church and its many ministries,
for nations as they strive for peace and justice,
for an end to violence against women. 

God of hope, make this bread the means of our rebuilding,
this wine the medium of our transformation,
this table the foundation of our renewal,
and this community the place of our rebirth. Amen. 

At this time, we remember Jesus, Who on the night before he died, 
took a loaf of bread, gave you thanks, broke it, and said,

              “Take and eat; whenever you do this, remember me.”

Likewise, after supper,
he took the cup, saying,
“This is the new covenant;
remember me.”  

Gracious God, Breath of peace,
Source of love,
we pray for your Spirit.
Make us, while many, one.
Make us, though broken, whole.
Make us, despite death, alive.
And so we pray:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.  

And so we join with our siblings around the world in the prayer of Jesus as we sing: 

               Our Father, in heaven,
               Hallowed be your name,
               Your kingdom come,
               Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
               Give us this 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. 

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP

The body of Christ, the Bread of life.  

The lifeblood of Christ,  the cup of blessing.  

Let us eat and drink together
for our strengthening in the faith,
and for the sake of the world.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We thank you, God,
for breaking into our world
and pouring into our lives and our experiences.

We thank you, God,
for this meal of thanksgiving
and the stories of love, grace, and hope that it tells. Amen.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Online Worship next Sunday, December 6 at 11:00am.

Yoga!  Our first on-line Yoga class will take place Thursday, December 3 at 11:00am.
You can watch and participate on our usual zoom link or from the Hope United YouTube channel. The link is on our website HopeUnited.ca and our Facebook page. 

“Christmas Messy Church” - Wednesday, December 16 at 6:00pm. This will be a virtual event and zoom will be the same as our Sunday service.
You can also call in using: 647 374 4685  or  647 558 0588
Meeting ID is: 831 7846 1579
or click on the following link on your computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83178461579.

Orchestra Toronto has been rehearsing at Hope. They will present “Sublime Delights” as a virtual concert from December 8 - January 8. Tickets are $20 and you can purchase a ticket on EventBrite.ca. If you would like to virtually attend, and do not have sufficient resources for a ticket, please let Rev. Brian know and we will provide you with one through our New Horizons program for seniors. 

Hope United Christmas Concert and Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long - Sunday  Dec 13 at 2:00pm. If you would like to sing or tell a Christmas story, please chat with Rev. Brian or Sandy so we can arrange a recording time.

Take-a-way Christmas Turkey Dinner will take place on Sunday December 20.
Pick up from 1:00- 2:00pm. Cooking and preparation will take place Thursday Dec. 17 in the afternoon, Friday Dec. 18 10:00 – 4:00 and Saturday 10:00 – 4:00 will be the packing of the meals. We welcome those who can lend a hand. Masks or shields are mandatory in the kitchen!

CLOSING PRAYER
Wait…listen…pray…peace, love hope and joy will be with us. May the days of the Advent season bring patience to our hearts, as we wait once gain to celebrate the birth of a most extraordinary child. Jesus Christ, born of Mary in Bethlehem so many years ago. Destined to change the world with his words and deeds. May we notice Spirit in the days ahead, touching and embracing us…as we wait. Amen.

Sandy will lead us in our closing hymn “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending”.
It is found in Voices United # 25  and the words will appear on your screen.

Lo, he comes with clouds descending
See the Lamb for sinners slain!
Thousand, thousand saints attending
Join to sing the glad refrain
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
God appears on earth to reign. 

Every eye shall then behold you,
Robed in awesome majesty
All who jeered and mocked and sold you
Pierced and nailed you to the tree
Deeply grieving, Deeply grieving,
Deeply grieving, Deeply grieving
Shall the true Messiah see. 

Now redemption, long expected
See in Solemn pomp appear
All the saints by us rejected
Thrill the trumpet sound to hear.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
See the day of God appear. 

Yea! Amen! Let all adore you
High on your eternals throne
Crowns and empires fall before you
Claim the kingdom for your own,
O come quickly!, O come quickly
O come quickly! O come quickly!
Everlasting Christ come down.

BLESSING AND BENEDICTION
(Liturgy link)

Be people of hope.
Let hope live in your heart and share the hope of Christ with all you meet.
Share hope by noticing someone else’s humanity.
Share hope by listening to someone’s story.
Share hope by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share hope.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations,
share hope with those you meet. Amen.

CHORAL BLESSING “Walk in Love” 
Walk in love as you go into the world,
Walk in peace with everyone you meet,
May God’s grace touch your heart, mind and soul…
This day and evermore,
Amen. Amen, Alleluia and Amen!

POSTLUDE

Please stay with us following the service
for a few moments to chat. 

Mics will be unmuted so all can say hello. 

Thank you to everyone who assisted with
our Service of Worship. 

Blessings to all and keep safe!

 Hope United.ca