Author: MARY E ZUPANSIC;Liz Ansell

4th Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Peace Lutheran Church, ELCA

1st Sunday of Advent
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Peace Lutheran Church, ELCA

5th Sunday of Easter
Sunday, May 10, 2020
Peace Lutheran Church, ELCA

WELCOME TO PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
We extend in the name of Christ, a hearty welcome to all who are worshipping with us today. May you find here an experience of true Christian worship and fellowship.
MISSION STATEMENT
As servants of Jesus Christ, we share God’s grace and mercy. We welcome and encourage all to grow with us in God’s kingdom through praise, worship, and service.
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be God’s name forever.
Amen.
Beloved, now is the time to wake from sleep.
Let us confront our sins,
and confess them to the one who is merciful and just.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of new beginnings,
we confess that we have not welcomed your holy reign.
We have strayed from your paths.
We prepare for war instead of peace.
We dishonor one another and your creation.
Purify us with your refining fire
and set us again on your way of love,
that we may bear fruit worthy of repentance,
and welcome your coming among us.
Amen.
People of God,
a new thing is growing in our midst,
a tender branch,
a living sign.
By water and the Spirit you are joined to this wonder.
You have put on ☩ Christ,
and your sins have been washed away.
Rejoice in the way of the Lord.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN COME THOU LONG EXPECTED SAVIOR ELW #254
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE & LIGHTING OF ADVENT WREATH GLORY TO GOD ELW P.159
PRAYER OF THE DAY
P. Let us pray. Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. By your merciful protection save us from the threatening dangers of our sins, and enlighten our walk in the way of your salvation, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C. Amen.
+ WORD +
First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
The visionary message presented in this reading focuses on a future day when God establishes a universal reign of peace. Divine decisions will make war obsolete, and the worshiping community responds: “Let us walk in the light of that Lord now!”
1The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Word of God. Word of life.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 122 Read Responsively
1I was glad when they | said to me, “Let us go to the house | of the Lord.” 2Now our | feet are standing within your gates, | O Jerusalem. 3Jerusalem is built | as a city that is at unity | with itself; 4to which the tribes go up, the tribes | of the Lord, the assembly of Israel, to praise the name | of the Lord. 5For there are the | thrones of judgment, the thrones of the | house of David. 6Pray for the peace | of Jerusalem: “May they pros- | per who love you. 7Peace be with- | in your walls and quietness with- | in your towers. 8For the sake of my kindred | and companions, I pray for | your prosperity. 9Because of the house of the | Lord our God, I will seek to | do you good.”
Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14
Paul compares the advent of Christ to the coming of dawn. We live our lives today in light of Christ’s coming in the future.
11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Word of God. Word of life.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION ELW P.142
Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44
P. The holy gospel according to St. Matthew the 24th chapter.
C. Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus describes his second coming as a sudden, turbulent event that will bring about deep change to our normal, day-to-day lives. Therefore, he urges people to stay awake, be aware, and wait expectantly, because the Son of Man will come unannounced.
[Jesus said to the disciples,] 36“About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, 39and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. 42Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
P. The gospel of the Lord.
C. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Rev. Mary E. Zupansic
REFLECTION: FOR THOSE AT HOME
Advent is a season of waking up. Even as the days grow darker, we are awoken to the light of truth about our lives, the world, and, ultimately, God. But no one really likes being woken from sleep, real or metaphorical. No one likes being pulled from a cozy blanket to a crowded commute, from dreams to reality, from what’s comfortable and “always has been” to what’s actually happening right now. It’s why when we have pivotal, perhaps painful moments in our lives in which we become aware of something previously hidden, or about which we shed the veil of denial, we refer to them as “wake-up calls.”
Yet it is never God’s intent to hurt us by rousing us from sleep. It is not to punish us for our past mistakes, to expose our inner failings to the world, or to add to the already deep well of shame that so many of us carry. It is for our good that God comes to reveal that which was hidden, breaking into our world as human flesh and blood. And it is for our good that, through our baptism, we are able to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). The divine image is revealed in you, and in every friend and stranger. God knows, loves, and takes delight in each of us.
That is why nations will beat their swords into plowshares, their spears into pruning hooks, and their guns into gravel to build a highway for our God. We won’t need to learn war anymore, as the prophet says (Isaiah 2:4), because you can’t raise arms against your own kin, another person in whom the living Christ dwells.
This season is a time for us to awaken to this new reality: at any moment, and at every moment, Christ lives among and within us, helping us rub the sleep out of our eyes, and revealing a different way. Welcome to Advent.
HYMN OF THE DAY AWAKE! AWAKE, AND GREET THE NEW MORN ELW #242
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.
A brief silence.
God of all, your children everywhere cry out for mercy. Awaken the global church to the urgent needs of our time. Break down barriers of culture and custom and unite people of all faiths in your redemptive and healing work. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of wonder, the earth’s beauty and abundance is your gift. Teach us your ways of sharing resources and caring for life. Guard fragile habitats, preserve the wild places, and protect endangered plants and animals. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of peace, you judge the nations. Beat our weapons into tools for serving the neighbor. Strengthen the resolve of all who work for an end to war. We pray for lasting peace in the land of Jesus’ birth (other places of conflict may be named). God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of lovingkindness, you desire fullness of life for everyone. Fill those who hunger. Comfort the grieving and attend to those near death. Bring help and hope to any who are sick or needing your care. We pray especially for those on our prayer list. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of community, you are present when we gather in your name. Guide congregations in transition or conflict. Give wisdom to congregational councils, call committees, and ministry leaders. Keep us alert to unexpected opportunities for mission. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
God of promise, your goodness is everlasting. We give thanks for the lives of the faithful who now rest in you. We trust that you will bring us into the company of all the saints with rejoicing. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
God of our longing, you know our deepest needs. By your Spirit, gather our prayers and join them with the prayers of all your children. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
THE SHARING OF PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
+ THE MEAL +
OFFERING OF TITHES & GIFTS Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of
Peace Lutheran Church. We gladly accept your offerings via US Postal Service, Tithe.ly,
or direct deposit from your bank.
OFFERING HYMN CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART ELW P.186
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. God of abundance,
we bring before you the precious fruits of your creation, and with them our very lives. Teach us patience and hope as we care for all those in need until the coming of your Son, our Savior and Lord.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You comforted your people with the promise of the Redeemer, through whom you will also make all things new in the day when he comes to judge the world in righteousness. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY ELW P.144
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy God, the Beginning and the End,
our Salvation and our Hope,
we praise you for creating a world of order and beauty.
When we brought on chaos, cruelty and despair,
you sent the prophets to proclaim your justice and mercy.
At this end of the ages
your Son Jesus came to bring us your love
and to heal all the suffering world.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore,
his life, death, and resurrection,
we await his coming again
in righteousness and peace.
Send your Spirit on us
and on this bread and wine we share:
strengthen our faith,
increase our hope,
and bring to birth the justice and joy of your Son.
Through him all glory and honor is yours,
Almighty God, with the Holy Spirit,
in your holy Church,
both now and forever.
Amen
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.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God, who has come to save you.
LAMB OF GOD ELW p. 146
SONG/HYMNS Even so come Tomlin|Ingram|Cates
CREATOR OF THE STARS ELW # 245
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
POST COMMUNION CANTICLE Holy One, Now Let Your Servants Go
POST COMMUNION PRAYER
A. Let us Pray, God for whom we wait,
in this meal you give us a foretaste of that day when the hungry will be fed with
good things. Send us forth to make known your deeds and to proclaim the
greatness of your name, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
God the eternal Word, who dwells with us in Jesus, and who holds us in the grace of
the Holy Spirit, ☩ bless you now and forever.
Amen.
SENDING HYMN SOON AND VERY SOON ELW #439
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Christ is near.
Thanks be to God.
Portions of this liturgy are revised from sundaysandseasons.com, Copyright © 2016 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB121760. Scripture excerpts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
About this weeks text
The new church year begins with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! In today’s readings both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us this day as the word and meal that strengthens our faith in the promises of God.
Commemorations this week
Andrew, Apostle, Wednesday, November 30, 2022
The first of the disciples to be called by Jesus, Andrew quickly began to bring others to the Savior, including Simon Peter. The Bible also shows him leading some Greeks to meet Jesus, and he brought forward the boy with five loaves and two fish, with which Jesus fed thousands.
Francis Xavier, missionary to Asia, died 1552
Saturday, December 3, 2022
A native of the Basque region of Spain, Xavier became a missionary to India, Southeast Asia, Japan, and the Philippines. He also helped to found the Society of Jesus (Jesuits).
Those who have asked for our prayers: Judy Barhoover, Pete Ellertsen, Jamelle Fedderson, Larry Weyhrich
If you would like to be added to the prayer list, or know someone who would like to be added to our list, please fill out a Prayer Request Card, send an email to peace.lutheran@comcast.net OR call the Office at (217)546-7646. Please note—for privacy reasons, we must have an individual’s permission to add their name.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK:
SUNDAY, NOV 27 Worship/Livestream—9:30am
SATURDAY, DEC 3 Dinner Church—5:00pm
SUNDAY, DEC 4 In Person Worship/Livestream—9:30am
NO Drive Thru Communion
Little Lambs & Young Disciples—10:30am
ASSISTING THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 27:
Presiding Minister: Rev. Zupansic Camera: Janet Kocis
Assisting Minister: Elizabeth Mitchell PowerPoint: Linda Rice
Fellowship: Doris Nobels Flowers: Ann Becker
Ushers: Andrea Berryman & Linda Shudrowitz (In Memory of Loved Ones)
BIRTHDAYS
Dec. 1—Karina Gieswein
Dec. 3—Ronald Blackburn
Poinsettias thank you to those who purchased a poinsettia for our Christmas worship space. You may drop a check for the purchase price in the collection plate OR send it to the church office. 6” $10 / 8” $20 / 10” $30.

Peace Lutheran Church
2800 West Jefferson
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 217-546-7646
E-mail: peace.lutheran@comcast.net

Advent, the first season of the church year, reminds us to return to our sense of longing for and expectation of God’s coming into our world. In this worship series we pay attention to opening ourselves to the holy disruption of God’s inbreaking promise.
Join us for a 3 week mid-week Advent series entitled—Make Ready for Holy Disruption. Advent carries two simultaneous visions of our expectations: we await yet again the birth of the babe in the manger, and we also await Christ’s coming again to fulfill all things. We often prepare for Advent by “getting ready”. Preparing for the coming of Christ is not a matter of having everything under control. Christ’s arrival disrupts—disrupts injustice, sin, and brokenness in a society in which we are deeply embedded. A prayer for Christ to come to us is a prayer for a holy disruption of our lives that we cannot control and that we might struggle to accept.

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