Workers of Wonder

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Rejoice! Revoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

LIGHTING OF THE FIRST CANDLE OF ADVENT- “Wonder”

Sandy Cardot, Patty Jo Schmitz

Leader: Children of light, because we belong to our Lord Jesus I

Christ, we need not fear— but can instead approach God’s very good

creation with wonder and delight.

Leader: We light this candle as the Candle of Wonder.

People: Shine your light upon us , O Lord; and by your Spirit let

us see your wonder. For your justice outruns our sense of

fairness; your love overwhelms our deepest affections. Open our eyes, unstop our ears, and show us your most excellent

way; for Jesus’ sake.

Let us pray for the needs of the world, saying,

O God of wonder, awaken us to your new world.

We pray for all leaders and people of the world that we may expose

the powers and principalities of injustice and work together to build

your reign of peace.

O God of wonder, awaken us to your new world.

We pray for all who yearn for your light to break forth in places of

sickness, toil, or danger, that we may find our way to your glorious

realm through our love for one another.

O God of wonder, awaken us to your new world.

Your coming is the dawn of a new day that brings hope and healing

to our lives. Fill your church with the light of your love that we may be

still and know that you are God and stand in wonder of your majesty.

O God of wonder, awaken us to your new world.

Rouse us to live in this present age in light of our hope for your

return. Inspire us to encourage each other to tend the earth and to

press harder than we think we can to work toward your new creation.

O God of wonder, awaken us to your new world.

Give us the courage to acknowledge human frailty, limitation, and

even death, with confidence in your eternal plan. For we dwell forever

in light with you, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit, open our minds and hearts this day, that we may be illumined by your living Word and walk together as children of light. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 ¹ Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! ⁴ But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; ⁵ for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 6So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; ⁷ for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. Matthew 25:14-30 14«For it is as if aman, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵ to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶ The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷ In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. 18But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ ²¹ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 22And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵ so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ ²⁶ But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷ Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. ²⁹ For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰ As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

Human beings have been graced with the gift of persistence, imagination,

and the capacity for extraordinary accomplishment. We have even been

given life-giving gifts. If we believe that Jesus is with us to the end of the

age we need not fear. How does that change the way we live?

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Marylee Thomsen

In giving to God, we grow closer to God. Let us offer our life and labor

to the One who draws near and freely gives the treasure of eternal

life in Christ.

O God of wonder; you are our home and dwelling place forever. Thank you for giving your people a gift beyond all value, the treasure of eternal life. Bless our gifts that we offer you this day. With them may we share your love with others, that all may open their minds to see this life with new eyes of wonder. Amen.

Encourage one another and build each other up, faithfully working together for the kindom of God, and may the God of creation work wonders in you by the power of the Holy Spirit, until we meet again. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.