Community United Church

An Open and Affirming Congregation

Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Church of the Brethren

A Long Advent, Part 1

Promises and Expectations:

God’s Promise to David

November 1, 2020:

9:00 & 11:00 AM

A Long Advent, Part 1

Advent is usually a four-week season that leads us to the celebration of Christmas. This year, we are taking the longer road, from November 1 – December 24. By definition, “advent” means to await. The year 2020 has been one of anxious waiting—around the pandemic, political discord, and uncertainty about the future. So this year we will dig into our own waiting by hearing the longer story of Advent: From King David to the Hebrew Prophets, to the story of Mary and Joseph. In this Long Advent, we turn to learn lessons in waiting.

Today’s Readings:

1 Samuel 16:1-13

2 Samuel 7:8-13

Psalm 22:25-31

Matthew 22:41-46

A Long Advent I:

Promises and Expectations:

God’s Promise to David

Pastoral Team:

Rev. Dr. Rich McCarty, Senior Pastor

Pastor Joy Johnson, Associate Minister

Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

Prelude Cheryl Strecker

Welcome & Announcements

Centering Music

Invocation

One:Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from God our Creator, Christ the long-awaited Messiah, and the Holy Spirit, our eternal Advocate and friend.

All:And also with you.

One:Holy and Loving God, our world is in waiting—waiting for the pandemic to end; waiting for political division to cease; waiting to know if we can ever resume our life together, or if life will forever be changed by a virus that endures.

All:God Most High, be our Emmanuel—God-with-Us! Enter into our waiting. Remind us again that we are not alone, and that you are with us in the valley of the shadows, even as you are the God of brilliant light.

One:We turn the page, early this year, to the season of Advent, the seasoning of waiting.

All: We enter, now, with hopes that we can find wisdom in the story of your promise, O God—the promise of a Messiah who would heal the world; a promise which unfolds even now through long waiting in our lives. Amen!

* Opening Hymn “Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates” #176

Lift up your head, O mighty gates:

Behold the King of glory waits!

The King of kings is drawing near,

The Savior of the world is here.

Fling wide the portals of your heart:

Make it a temple set apart

From earthly use, for heaven’s employ,

Adorned with prayer and love and joy.

Redeemer, come! I open wide

My heart to you: here, Lord, abide!

Let me your inner presence feel:

Your grace and love in me reveal.

So come, my Sovereign, enter in!Let new and nobler life begin!

Your Holy Spirit guide us on,

Until the glorious crown be won.

*Opening Prayer

Candles for a Long Advent

One:People of God, the story of Advent began long before the time of Mary and Joseph; long before the birth of John the Baptist or his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah.

All:A thousand years before the life of Jesus was the life and story of King David, one overlooked by the world, but seen clearly by God.

One:His is not the story of a perfect person, morally or religiously. David made many mistakes—serious mistakes, and yet he kept turning back to God for restoration.

All:In King David we see a reflection of humanity as it is now—as we are now: people caught up in power and privilege; passion and jealousy; and yet, also in longing for God and restoration. We light this candle to remember that in such a king, and through his lineage, Emmanuel was promised, a true Sovereign to heal, restore, and save the world. Amen.

Advent Song “Wait for the Lord” #166

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.

Wait for the Lord: be strong, take heart!

(Sing 3x)

First Reading The First Book of Samuel 16:1-13

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.” 2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you.” 4 Samuel did what the Lord commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord; sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is now before the Lord.” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but David is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12 He sent and brought him in. Now David was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was handsome. The Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; for this is the one.” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward.

Song of Response“Hymn of Promise” #515

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits be,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity;

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

Unrevealed until it’s season, something God alone can see.

Second Reading The Second Book of Samuel 7:8-13

8 Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; 9 and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 10 And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, 11 from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Responsorial Psalm 22:25-31

One:From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows will I pay before those who revere God..

All:The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD. May your hearts live forever!

One:All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before God.

All:For sovereignty belongs to the LORD, and God rules over the nations.

One:To God, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before God shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for the Lord.

All:Posterity will serve the Holy One; future generations will be told about the Lord, and proclaim God’s deliverance to a people yet to be born, saying that God has done it. Amen!

*Doxology “Glory Be to God, Creator” #145

Glory be to God, Creator, glory be to God the Son,

Glory be to God the Spirit, known as Three, yet God the One

As it was in the beginning, it is now and so shall be,

In a world without an ending, glory through eternity.

Holy, holy God Almighty! Holy, holy Prince of Peace!

Holy, holy Wind of Presence! Holy, holy, holy! Amen!

*Gospel Matthew 22:41-46

 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: 42 “What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

44 ‘The Lord said to my Lord,“Sit at my right hand,    until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

45 If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?” 46 No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

One:These are the words of God for the people of God.

All:Come Holy Spirit! Thanks be to God!

Message Promises and Expectations: God’s Promise to David Pastor Rich

Song of Response “There is a Redeemer” #117

There is a Redeemer—Jesus God’s own Son;

Precious Lamb of God, Messiah, Holy One.

Chorus:

Thank you, O my Father, for giving us your Son,

And leaving your Spirit till the work on earth is done.

Jesus, my Redeemer, name above all names;

Precious Lam of God, Messiah,

Hope for sinners slain.

(Chorus)

When I stand in Glory, I will see his face;

There I’ll serve my King forever,

In that holy place.

(Chorus)

Affirmation of Faith: 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 again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Sacramental & Spiritual Communion (Adapted from “Prayer of Great Thanksgiving,” Emerge, by Mary Luti)

One:Beloved of God, in these unprecedented times of the global pandemic, we have not been able to visit our altar to be fed at the Table of Christ as much as we are accustomed—or would like to do. Today we step forward to receive communion—whether spiritually, or by the elements we now have before us: whether on this communion table, or in our own hands and homes.

All:Sacraments are visible symbols of invisible grace. But more than just symbols, we believe the presence of the Holy Spirit brings us near to God in these holy elements that we bless and sanctify. They become, for us, living emblems of Christ. And when our sacraments are not available—you, O Holy One, are still present as we settle our bodies, still our minds, and open ourselves to receive you: whether by closing our eyes, opening the palms of our hands to heaven; breathing intentionally; or centering our thoughts.

One:God of all life and all creatures, from the first day to this day you have showered us with gifts of mercy and offer us your grace:

All:Healing for our brokenness, release from our pain, calm for our mental stress, peace for our soul-grief and regret, pardon to remedy our sin and justice to make life whole and glad.

One:Thanks and praise to you for all your gifts, and most of all for Jesus, our wounded risen brother and friend. He abides with us here in holy mystery, as he abided that last night among his friends. From his safe and holy hands you give us this, our daily bread, his body surrendered for us. Beloved of God, the Body of Christ!

[Take, hold, and eat from your bread; or receive without elements but spiritually.]

One:From his safe and holy hands we also now receive this brimming cup, this life poured out for us. Beloved of God, the Blood of Christ!

[Take, hold, and drink from your cup; or receive without elements but spiritually.]

One:We remember him now, as he told us to do, whenever we break his bread and drink his cup at our tables.

All:As we take him to ourselves in this time of illness and fear, we remember before you, O God, the people we love, the enemies we do not (yet) love, and all who suffer in this world, the frail and falling sparrows on whom your eye is fixed.

One:By the grace and power of the Spirit, let all who share this bread and cup be one in Christ, no matter where we are, near or far, together or apart: one in heart and purpose, one in love and service, one in fearless witness to new heavens and new earth: that joyous realm to come where, by your promise, there will be no sickness and dying, no tears and grieving, but only joy, only life, only justice, only You.

All:All praise and thanks to you, God of all life, now and forever. Amen!

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer (“Debts and Debtors”)

One:The Lord be with you!

All:And also with you!

One:Having listened for God’s still speaking voice, and having been nourished through sacrament, let us turn now in our worship to pray—both as people who need the interceding hand of God, and as saints willing to intercede for others.

All:God hear our prayer!

One:As we approach another national election, in this country, may all who follow Christ remember that we have a Messiah, and that all others are to be servants of God.

All:God hear our prayer!

One:For all who are waiting in their lives: for healing, for resolution, for peace; for flourishing; for direction; for inspiration.

All:God hear our prayer!

One:For all that we hold in the silence of our hearts, we come to you in the confidence of quiet, O God, and lift our petitions privately to you. (Silent prayer)… Almighty God, Sovereign of Heaven, send a double portion of your blessings upon all people! Move the mountains in our lives, or help to move us so that we might be fully at peace. This we pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray…

All:“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 debts as we forgive our debtors—and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever.” Amen.

Offering

Our offerings are first and foremost what we give to the world through justice, kindness, and mercy—and these can do every day. Our offerings can also take the form of financial contributions to the church to support our ministries.

Financial offerings are now accepted online at:

www.communityunited.church/giving/

Or, if you prefer to mail in a check, that can be addressed to the church at:

1011 West 38th Street – Erie, PA 16508

Offertory Music and Time for Contemplation Cheryl Strecker

As the offertory music is played, let us stay together in a spirit of prayer and worship. Open your hearts now to what Spirit is saying to you—and moving you to do in the days that we have been given.

*Congregational Response #44

“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!Praise him all creatures here below.

Praise him above, you heavenly host!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

*Departing Prayer

One:Holy and Loving God, you are eternal—we still live in time. Your promises are sure, but in our long waiting we often falter in faith.

All:Renew in us the vision of your promise, O God: that a king on the throne of David would come to heal, restore, and save the world. Now set our eyes on Jesus the Christ—the Messiah—who has come to inaugurate the Reign of God, and who we await to bring the full glory of God. Amen!

*Blessing

*Closing Hymn “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” #153

Come, thou long expected Jesus

Born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us;

Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear Desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,

Born a child and yet a king,

Born to reign in us forever,

Now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal Spirit

Rule in all our hearts alone;

By thine all sufficient merit

Raise us to thy glorious throne.

Postlude Cheryl Strecker

Thank you for worshipping with us this morning at Community United Church!

Next Sunday:

Early Service at 9:00 AM

Main Service at 11:00 AM

NEW CHURCH SERIES!

A LONG ADVENT:

How Do We Live When Life is Waiting?

November 8: Waiting When the World Falls Down – The Fall of Kingdoms

November 15: Hope as a Strategy while Waiting – The Visions of Prophets

November 22: Practicing Faithful Waiting – Simeon and Anna

November 29: The Wait is Up – Paving the Way for the Messiah

December 6: Unexpected Fulfillments – The Annunciation and Consent of Mary

December 13: Trusting the New Answer – The Struggle and Resolve of Joseph

December 20: A New Promise, a New Wait – The Prophecy of Mary, the Magnificat

Need to contact us for prayer, conversation, or to connect with a small group or church ministry?

1011 West 38th Street – Erie, PA 16508

(814) – 864 – 4429

www.communityunited.church