ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2022
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Due to copyright limitations, we are unable to print the words to many of the songs. However, our musicians have chosen music to fit the scriptures. We invite you to look up the words in your worship book and ponder them. If you do not have a worship book, ponder the words to one of your favourite hymns and listen for God’s voice. Those who have internet may find the songs on YouTube.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things—the weather, human relationship, the economy, the political situation, and so on—will get better. Hope is trust that God will fulfill God’s promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.”
~ Henri Nouwen
BEFORE WE WORSHIP, WE REFLECT…
In this season of Advent, we stand in the discomforting quiet of waiting for the salvation of the Lord while simultaneously seeing that very salvation breaking into the world around us. Like John the Baptist we ask Jesus “are you here, or should we still wait?” The answer to this question is “yes.” Yes, Jesus is here among us in his body and blood at the eucharist. But we wait for the day when he returns. Yes, Jesus is here among us bringing peace and reconciliation. But we wait for the day when he will make all things new. The new life promised by the coming of a savior is both realized and still to come. We who live in the Christian faith do so as people searching the world around us for signs of God’s kingdom. Gathering as Christ’s body on earth, we have a sort of dual-citizenship in the now and the not-yet as we both proclaim that Christ is among us and also fervently pray “even so, come Lord Jesus.” As believers, our hope does not rest in the efforts of our piety or in the comfort of the hereafter. Rather, our hope is in the promises of a gracious, faithful God; promises fulfilled before our eyes and those not yet seen. We long for the day in which, like Isaiah’s vision of what will be, the blind see and the lame leap like deer. Yet we tell what we see and hear around us: that the dead are raised and the poor receive good news. The day is here and yet still we wait. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge we gather and worship on Treaty 1 Territory, the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
As First Peoples have done since time immemorial, we strive to be responsible stewards of the land and respect the cultures, ceremonies, and traditions of all who call it home. As we open our hearts and minds to the past, we commit ourselves to working in a spirit of truth and reconciliation to make a better future for all.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Can you hear it? Can you hear the songs creation is starting to sing?
The world shouts in our ears making it hard to hear anything but its cacophony
It’s singing a song of salvation – those with feeble knees and fearful hearts need to be afraid!
All I hear about is fear – we need to be afraid because there’s only so much to go around.
The songs can be heard traveling, moving down a road where no one seems to go lost.
With delight, we light the third candle of Advent as we sing the songs of the Highway of Joy!
CHILDREN’S SONG: WOV 627 My Lord, What A Morning
CENTERING PRAYER
Stir up the wills of all who look to you, Lord God, and strengthen our faith in your coming, that, transformed by grace, we may walk in your way; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A NEW CREED
We are not alone; we live in God’s world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S CHAT
John the Baptizer asks Jesus the question, “Who are you?” He wants to know if Jesus is the one sent from God, or should the people of Israel keep waiting for the Messiah.
John asks Jesus a very good question. So, I will ask you the same question – who are you?
Now, you may think the answer is a simple one, and in many ways it is. And yet, in some ways, the answer is not so simple.
For example: my answer to the question would be the following…
I am a child of God, a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, mother, neighbour, friend, pastor, counselor, spiritual director, a sinner and a saint. Wow, I am a lot of people all rolled into one person! Not only that, I am all those people all of the time! Just because I am a mom does not mean I stop being a pastor. Just because I am an aunt does not mean I stop being a mom. Just because I am 59 years of age does not mean I stop being a daughter to my dad, who is 91. See what I mean? The answer is simple, yet not so simple. It makes your brain tired, if you think about it too long!
It was important for John to know if Jesus was the Messiah. John knew he was about to die, and wanted to die with peace in his heart knowing that God’s promise to send someone to save God’s people had been fulfilled.
And what was Jesus’ answer? Not a long list of his relationships. Rather, Jesus wanted John to know the miracles he had performed, the love and hope he had given to many people, and the blessing of peace given to those who accepted him. In other words, Jesus was saying to John, “Yes, I am the One sent from God for whom you have been waiting. Look at the evidence.” People knew Jesus was the Messiah because of his actions, his love for all people, his message that God loved everyone and would not desert them.
Jesus answered the question, I answered the question, now it is your turn. Who are you?
MINUTE FOR MISSION: Anti-Racism App Developed by Young Adults Set to Launch
The murder of George Floyd had a profound affect on Jonisha Lewinson, a college student and member of North Bramalea United Church. “Although I had experienced racism, I hadn’t been interested in exploring it, but after what happened to George Floyd, I wanted to get involved,” she says. “I decided I wanted to not just have a quiet voice but an active voice in making information about anti-racism available to people.”
Shortly after she made that internal commitment, a friend told Lewison that the United Church was inviting young people to apply to the Young Black Scholarship Program project, part of the church’s commitment to the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. Each of the participants was tasked to research and report on various aspects of Black experiences in Canadian churches and received a scholarship supported through your Mission & Service gifts for their work.
From there, the idea for an app-based curriculum that would inspire teens ages 12─18 to become anti-racist was born.
Jonisha landed the contract to develop the curriculum for the app and is currently one of four young adults leading the project. Through the app, teens learn about topics like the history of racism in Canada, White privilege, and how to get involved in anti-racism work. Each of the units includes audio, video, and chat features. Called ar4yt (short for “Anti-Racism for Youth Training”), the app is set to launch January 1, 2023, and will be freely available on Google Play and the App Store.
“I’ve never written a curriculum before, so there was a lot of research. It was a big learning experience not just in creating the curriculum but learning about how racism affects different people in Canada other than myself,” reflects Jonisha.
What does she hope young people will take from the experience with the app?
“Part of dismantling racism means having conversations on a smaller scale with friends and family. That means just as much as being part of huge organizations. I hope that young people engaging with the app realize that making change is not as difficult as it seems,” she says.
Your generosity through Mission & Service supports the leadership of young adults like Jonisha who are actively using their talent and skill to change our world for the better. Thank you!
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
O God, beginning and end, by whose command time runs its course: bless our impatience, perfect our faith, and, while we await the fulfillment of your promises, grant us hope in your Word. Amen.
READINGS AND PSALM
First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10
The prophet describes the return from the Babylonian captivity as a joyous procession to Zion. God’s coming reign will bring a renewal of creation in which health and wholeness will be restored. There is no need for fear, for God is coming to save.
1The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the
crocus 2it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory
of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
4Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with
vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”
5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6then the lame shall
leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the
wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground
springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and
rushes.
8A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it
shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9No lion shall be there, nor
shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk
there.
10And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be
upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Psalm 146:5-10
R: The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. (Ps. 146:8)
5Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God;
6who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps promises forever;
7who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger. The Lord sets
the captive free.
8The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous. R
9The Lord cares for the stranger; the Lord sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of
the wicked.
10The Lord shall reign forever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah! R
Second Reading: James 5:7-10
In anticipation of the Lord’s coming, Christians are called upon to cultivate patience rather than discontent.
7Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11
John the Baptist expects the Messiah to bring God’s judgment upon the earth. From a prison cell, he wonders whether Jesus is the one who will do this. Jesus’ response indicates that God’s reign is indeed being fulfilled already through healing and restoration.
2When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
7As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
HYMN: VU p. 882 Prepare The Way, O Zion
SERMON:
“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”
Even John had moments of doubt. Was not the Messiah to come with a winnowing fork? A massive army? Political power? Sure, Jesus’ popularity was spreading because of his miracles, but where was the rest of the prophecy? And yet, something about the whole situation felt right, but one had to be sure.
Notice Jesus’ response. He does not give a direct answer–very typical of the man–but rather, he tells John’s followers to relay what they have heard and seen. It is as if Jesus is saying, “Come to your own conclusions.” To which I ask, “Is that enough?”
To me the key line in this story is, “blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.” The literal translation is: “anyone who is not scandalized” or “caused to stumble”. The Greek word scandalizo usually means “to lead into sin” or “to cause someone to lose their faith.” The metaphor is that of a trap or snare or anything which causes one to stumble and fall, and thus to be turned aside from the straight path of righteousness. Now some scholars will purport that in this context scandalized must mean that Jesus is saying, “It is not necessary for John to understand and acknowledge the full meaning of these events; I shall be content if he does not join my opponents in condemning my ministry. Anyone who looks on this work with friendly eyes is blessed.” Yet for me, this is not a powerful enough statement to fit with the meaning of the word ‘scandalized.’
What are your expectations of Jesus? Have you ever thought about what you expect from your Saviour? The Church is so focused on what Jesus expects of us, that we often forget to look at our expectations of Jesus.
I expect my Saviour to create world peace. I expect my Saviour to eliminate poverty and unequal distribution of wealth in the world. I expect my Saviour to make everyone love everyone. Not enough people in the pews on Sunday? I expect my Saviour to bring them in. Not enough children in Sunday school? I expect my Saviour to round them up and march them into the building. I have pain and suffering in my life. I expect my Saviour to fix all that. I know some people who do not believe in God. I expect my Saviour to convert them. Why do I expect my Saviour to do all these things? Because that is the Saviour’s job, is it not? Then I am free to sit back and applaud all the work my Saviour does on my behalf! This is great! I don’t have to convert anybody, the church will be full, Sunday School will be overflowing, people won’t be hungry any more, greed will be wiped out along with prejudice and discontent, and I can relax and enjoy the whole scene–perfect!
Jesus says, “Blessed is anyone who is not scandalized, who is not caused to stumble, who is not led into sin or caused to lose their faith because of me.” In other words, “blessed is anyone whose expectations of me are shattered, and whose faith still remains.”
Sadly, there are people in the world who believe that Jesus was sent to do just that. To be that divine someone to do all their ministry. Someone to make life convenient, pain free, and hand out all the answers. Perhaps that is the ‘vengeance’ and ‘terrible recompense’ of which Isaiah speaks. The fact that we have a Saviour who has expectations for us, and expects us to live up to them. Is that not a ‘terrible recompense’ for those who believe that it is up to God to fix everything, or who say they are too busy to help, who say they won’t get involved, who won’t take any risks? Would it not be a terrible recompense for these people to be held accountable for their lack of spirit, their narrow view of life and God?
I once read a story about a teenaged girl with an attitude who discovers that one of her closest friends is living out of the family car with her mother. This teenager is constantly complaining how hard her life is because their family car is old, she has to share a room with her two younger sisters, and her mother just doesn’t understand her. When she realizes the plight of her friend and her friend’s mother, she has an epiphany, and begins to understand just how lucky she is.
When Christ is present, things happen. The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised. Now, contrary to what seems the obvious, the key figure in the story is not the teenager with the attitude. It is the friend. The friend is the Christ figure in the story, and through her positive outlook and determination, the main character comes to some self-realizations and changes. She was blind, and now she sees. She was deaf to the unspoken words of her friend, and suddenly she hears. Her spirit was self-centred and stagnating. Now it is focused on the other and is expanding and embracing. This teenage young woman had her expectations destroyed, her understanding of how life should be, crushed, indeed, she was ‘scandalized’, and became all the stronger for it.
In many respects, we, like the people of Israel, have our definitions and expectations of who and what the Messiah should be. And, just like the people of Israel, we would be wrong in many of those definitions and expectations. The Messiah was expected to be a great political power who was to destroy the enemy and restore the Hebrew nation to power and glory. That didn’t happen.
The anointed one of God came with power far greater than any political party. Jesus came with the power to heal, to love; he had the power to give hope, inspire faith and create joy. Even as the Israelites continued to live under Roman occupation, the people knew freedom, because freedom was more than the physical realities of life. Freedom was removing the shackles of one’s learned behaviours, traditions, beliefs, one’s inherited expectations of God. What Jesus did was free people’s minds and hearts to greater love, forgiveness, greater courage, a deeper relationship with God and hope rooted in a promise fulfilled.
There is nothing wrong with having expectations of ourselves, others and God. God expects us to be loving, forgiving, kind, compassionate, generous – in fact, I believe it is accurate to say we all expect that of ourselves and each other. It is part of what defines us as children of God and followers of Christ. Expectations become problematic when they extend beyond reality, when they remove us from responsibility, when the relationship with God becomes one sided in our favour.
John the Baptizer was sitting in prison suffering a personal faith crisis. He had proclaimed a Messiah that was coming with a winnowing fork and refiner’s fire. John declared the Messiah had the sharpened axe ready at the base of the tree trunk. Anyone who didn’t produce the fruits of faith would be cut down! One cannot blame John for proclaiming what he was raised to believe was the modus operandi of the Messiah.
Then along comes Jesus, and John is scandalized. This Messiah is not what John expected, yet everything about Jesus speaks to his heart that, indeed, this is the anointed one! But what if he is wrong?! So, John sends his disciples to enquire of Jesus if he is the One. And what is Jesus’ answer – tell John what you have witnessed, tell John what you have heard. Healing, good news, blessing. John dies knowing that Jesus is the Messiah, knowing that although he has been scandalized, his faith is stronger and he is grateful that he baptized “God with us”.
We are into the third week of Advent, our “coming” journey. Jesus is ‘coming’ to us, and we are ‘coming’ to the manger. Each of us has expectations of the other. Each of us is asking, “Are you the one who is to come, or should I wait for another?” Are you the one who is going to live out ‘God with us’ or not? Perhaps Advent is a good time to be scandalized after all.
Amen.
HYMN OF THE MONTH: WOV 632 The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
As we prepare for the fullness of Christ’s presence, let us pray for a world that yearns for new hope.
Gracious God, we rejoice in the gifts of your Spirit. Equip the global church to magnify your love and peace in every land. We pray for the work of the Lutheran World Federation, ELCA Global Mission and Mission & Service. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Abundant God, we rejoice in your creation. Help us revive lands we have squandered and depleted. Make gardens flourish in cities and neighborhoods. Cleanse polluted air and water so living things may breathe, drink, and praise you. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Righteous God, we rejoice in your justice. End racism and oppression. Deliver all who are unjustly imprisoned or persecuted. Reconcile nations and peoples in conflict especially Ukraine, Russia, Afghanistan. Help us pray for our enemies. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Healing God, we rejoice in your compassion. Comfort any in distress because of worry, illness, or loss. Strengthen and protect health care workers, rescue teams, crisis counselors, and all who risk themselves to keep others safe. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Abiding God, we rejoice in your company. Give us calm and patient hearts as we gather with family and friends. Keep us mindful of those for whom this season is not happy. Console the grieving and surround them with loving support. God, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Faithful God, we rejoice with Mary, Mother of our Lord, and with all the saints, that your mercy endures for all generations. Look with favor on those who have died and lead us to joyfully sing of your everlasting promises. 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 LORD’S PRAYER
SENDING SONG: WOV 725 Blessed Be The God Of Israel
BENEDICTION
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.