대강절 주일예배 Sundays in Advent

The scripture selections for these services are based on the Lectionary Year C (2024-2025). During the four Sundays in Advent, the Advent candles (the candles of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love) are lit.

The first Sunday in Advent: Purple or blue
The second Sunday in Advent: Purple or blue
The third Sunday in Advent: Pink
The fourth Sunday in Advent: Purple or blue
Christmas Eve or Day: White

The lighting of the Advent candles is a symbolic ceremony meant to prepare for the coming of Jesus, who will illuminate the world amid the deepening darkness. The candles can either be lit directly by the worship leader or by a predesignated individual.

Processional and Candle Lighting

Light one purple/blue candle.

WELCOME

As we await the Lord who will come to this earth with hope, we welcome all of you gathered here and those participating online in the name of Christ, to worship and praise the Triune God.

CALL TO WORSHIP

“And in that day it will be said, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’” (Isaiah 25:9)

Gracious God,

Come as light into every shadowed place in our lives, so that those who wait and seek salvation may find joy. Through Your presence, grant all who worship here the assurance of hope in their hearts.

*HYMN “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,”(United Methodist Hymnal, 196)

RESPONSIVE READING

Leader: Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples.

All: The Lord has proclaimed to the ends of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”

Leader: And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken. (Isaiah 62:10-12)

All: As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Leader: Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways,

All: And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” (Luke 3:4-6)

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed*

*HYMN: Gloria Patri

Prayer

Glorious God,

We praise You, Lord, for being a beacon of hope in the midst of our weary lives. Thank You for teaching us the purpose of life when we were lost and wandering, and for freeing our hearts burdened by uncertain futures and oppressive realities. Help us to fully trust in You, our guide, and to patiently endure the foggy times of our lives.

As we observe the first Sunday of Advent, may we prepare our hearts for Your coming and cherish each day with anticipation. Empty our hearts of worries and anxieties, and fill us instead with Your peace and hope. Help us to look beyond ourselves to our neighbors, sharing the grace we have received from You and becoming good friends to them. We pray that through Your presence in our worship, our hopes will be fulfilled. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Psalm 25:1-10

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Luke 21:25-36

ANTHEM

SERMON

HYMN OF RESPONSE

“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light,” (United Methodist Hymnal, 206)

OFFERING

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

The first Sunday in Advent is not only the first Sunday of a new season but also the first Sunday of a new Christian year. Therefore, it is appropriate to celebrate the beginning of a new year with the sacrament of Holy Communion.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

*HYMN OF SENDING FORTH

“People, Look East,” (United Methodist Hymnal, 202)

*BENEDICTION AND SENDING FORTH

Now that you have heard the message of the Gospel, return to your daily lives as truly free people, trusting in the Lord who will guide you on the path of righteousness. Do not be anxious or impatient, but wait with hope for the Lord’s timing. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen.

The * mark indicates an invitation to all worshipers to rise in body or spirit.

Hyok In Kwon wrote this order of First Sunday in Advent for a bilingual Korean-English congregation. This service can be used when the Korean-speaking and the English-speaking members worship together, and it can also be used when each worships separately.

Rev. Hyok In Kwon is currently serving as the senior pastor at Korean United Methodist Church of Santa Clara Valley in San Jose, California. He completed his doctoral coursework in sociology, taught sociology and ethics at colleges, and worked as a visiting researcher at the Korean Broadcasting Institute. He has also served as a campus pastor at the Pacific School of Religion at Berkeley, California.