Brothers and sisters, greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus. We are entering into the season of Advent, a season of preparation and anticipation. For many people this means we have limited time to fit in the shopping, baking, and partying that has come to mark Christmas. I hope you will set aside time to attend worship, to hear what God has done for you, and is doing for you, and will do for you through His Son Jesus. In addition to the Sunday services, there will also be midweek services Wednesdays 6th, 13th, and 20th, with a start time of 6 pm.
December 3 is the first Sunday of Advent. Throughout the season we will follow the liturgy of Divine Service Setting Four beginning on page 203 in the LSB hymnal, though some parts will be modified. Hymns chosen for the day are #331 The Advent of Our King; #338 Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus; #353 Jesus Came, The Heavens Adoring; #610 Lord Jesus Think on Me; and #348 The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns.
Scripture readings for the day are Psalm 80:1-7; Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; and Mark 11:1-10.
Psalm 80 is addressed to the choir master. It is indicated to be composed by Asaph, one of the tabernacle song-leaders appointed by King David, but this could also be a descendant. It is set “according to Lilies” evidently a musical term suggesting style or accompaniment. Mention of the northern Israel tribes Ephraim and Manasseh indicates this psalm may have been written in response to foreign attack from the north (Assyrians?). The people have suffered grief so call upon God to stir up His power to deliver and restore them. Our daily prayers should call upon God to deliver and restore us from our troubles. Such trouble is a consequence of sin. Jesus came to rescue you from sin, giving His life to set you free from the devil’s control. And He promises to return to gather His people and take them to the peace of heaven. Lord, stir up your power and come to save us!
In Isaiah 64:1-9, the prophet cries the lament of the people. God is their Father, why has He let trouble befall them? There is a lot of similarity between Isaiah’s words and the Psalm 80 reading. The people confess that they have sinned against God. They beg that He would come to restore them, To “rend the heavens” attempts to describe God’s saving power comparing it to the lesser powers they had experienced, such as earthquakes, wildfires, and storms. They are asking that God would shake them up, but not hold His anger against them. Advent is a season of preparation similar to Lent. Our Lord is coming. Each day is a good time to repent and call upon Him. Jesus has removed the iniquity that made us enemies of God.
The epistle reading is the opening verses 1:3-9 of St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (southern Greece). As the letter will later explain, they were a congregation divided by many conflicts. But in these opening verses, Paul highlights the strengths of the congregation. He reminds them (and us) that connected to Christ we have all the spiritual gifts we need to live a peaceful life. Sometimes we forget that, lamenting over what we don’t have rather than rejoicing over what God has given us. We Christians are waiting for Jesus to visibly return to deliver us completely from this world of sin. Do not lose heart—He continues to give out His Word and His sacraments to sustain us in the true faith. It is a mistake to neglect these gifts.
The gospel reading is St. Mark’s account of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem for the Passover feast, mere days before He is crucified. (11:1-10) But in this “Palm Sunday” event, the people celebrate, greeting Jesus as a conquering King. One day this King is returning. We do not know the day or the hour. How will you meet Him?
COLLECT: Stir up Your power, O Lord Jesus, and come, that by Your protection we may be rescued from the threatening perils of our sins, and saved by Your mighty deliverance; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Please let me know if you have any prayer requests, or questions about Sunday’s readings, or questions about our Advent schedule. God bless you. Pastor Boster
