Sunday School, November 29, 2015 1 Advent C
Learning to Read Signs
Discuss the signs which occur in natural because of
anticipating regular cycles. When one
puts a seed into the ground one waits and looks for a little leaf to poke out
of the ground. When one see blossoms
then one can expect to see fruit. There
are other sign which we read like when it is cloudy, and when the clouds are
dark, it is more likely for rain to follow.
We know that when we see smoke we just assume that it comes from some
kind of fire.
Jesus asked his friends to learn to read what was happening
in their lives so that they could be prepared to make the right response.
Some times we need to have special signs, signs given by our
laws to keep us from hurting ourselves.
For example, a Stop sign is not a natural sign; it has been invented by
people and we use Stop signs to keep people from running into each other in
their cars.
The Bible is a book of signs. It gives us lots of “Stop,” lots of “Don’t do this” signs, and lots of “Please do this”
signs. Why? Because the Bible is a book to help prepare
us to live our very best. It is a book
that gives us the signs of how we are to treat each other. It is a book of warning about what can happen
to us if we don’t follow the signs for living a good life.
When we go to school we often have to face Judges. The Judges at school are the tests that we
have to take. The tests show us how much
we learn or did not learn.
Jesus said that we will all have to face a Judge in our
lives. He called that Judge the Son of
Man but his friends knew that Jesus was also the Son of Man. If we have a good relationship with Jesus as
our Judge and are always learning from him, then we will not have to fear Jesus
because we know that he will be a loving Judge who will only want us to work at
getting better.
Let us begin the season of Advent by learning to read the
signs for how we can live better lives.
And let us know that we are always getting ourselves ready to meet the
very best Judge of life, Jesus as the Son of Man who we know and love and who
we are delighted to perform the deeds of our lives for.
A Sermon
Jesus said,
"Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you
can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near.”
Jesus told his
friends that they needed to learn how to read signs.
There are natural
signs and there are signs that we make.
What is the red sign
that has 8 sides on the road? What does
that sign mean?
There are natural
signs too. What do dark clouds and wind
mean? What does smoke rising in the air
mean? What does the changing of the
color of leaves mean? What does it mean
when leaves have fallen off the tree?
How do you learn to
read signs? You look and watch and when
you see it happen over and over again, you learn. You also learn from your teachers and parents
how to read signs.
There are also signs
that we have to learn to read when we are with each other. For example, what might happen if we say
something that is not nice to someone?
It might hurt their feeling. It
might make them cry. What happens if you
push or hit someone? It might hurt them.
What happens if you eat twenty candy bars all at once? You will get a sick tummy.
So we have to learn
to read the signs of how to live good lives.
We have to learn the signs of living bad lives, so we can learn to live
better.
God gave us the 10
commandments as a sign of how to live a good life. And if we don’t follow these signs, we can
get into lots of trouble.
We are in the season
of Advent, the first season of the Christian year. The season of Advent is season of
preparation. It a season of learning how
to read the signs of God in our lives.
Jesus Christ is the
greatest sign of God to us. He was given
to us to show us how to live. During the
season of Advent, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and to look
forward to future coming again. When we see love and kindness, we can be sure
that we are reading the sign of the presence of Christ in this world. Let us learn to read the signs of God’s
presence in our world, so that we can avoid making some serious mistake. If we learn to read the sign of God in our
lives, we can avoid making some serious mistake. Let us during the season of Advent learn to
read the signs of God in our lives.
Amen.
St. John the Divine Episcopal Church
17740 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Family Service with Holy Eucharist
November 29, 2015: The First Sunday of Advent
Gathering Songs: Light a Candle; Prepare the Way of the
Lord; Eat this Bread, Wait for the Lord; Soon and Very Soon
Lighting of the Advent Candle:
Song: Light a Candle
Light a
candle for hope today, Light a candle for hope today, light a candle for hope
today. Advent
time is here.
(Sing
twice)
Liturgist: Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
People: And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Liturgist: Oh God,
Our hearts are open to you.
And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.
Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship
you.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song: Prepare the Way of the Lord (Renew! # 92)
Prepare the way of the Lord.
Prepare the way of the Lord, and all people will see the salvation of
our God. (sung as a canon)
Liturgist: The
Lord be with you.
People: And also with
you.
Liturgist: Let us
pray
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in
which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the
last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the
living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Litany Phrase: Alleluia (chanted)
O God, you are Great!
Alleluia
O God, you have made us! Alleluia
O God, you have made yourself known to us! Alleluia
O God, you have provided us with us a Savior! Alleluia
O God, you have given us a Christian family! Alleluia
O God, you have forgiven our sins! Alleluia
O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead! Alleluia
A reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct
our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one
another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. And may he so
strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and
Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Liturgist: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 25
Show me your ways, O LORD, * and teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, * for you are the God of
my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.
Remember, O LORD, your compassion and love, * for they are
from everlasting.
Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)
Litanist:
For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to
God!
For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!
For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks
be to God!
For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!
For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!
For work and for play. Thanks be to God!
For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!
For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!
For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of
our friends and parish family.
Thanks be to God!
Liturgist: The
Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke
People: Glory to you,
Lord Christ.
Jesus said, "There will be signs in the sun, the moon,
and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring
of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is
coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they
will see 'the Son of Man coming in a cloud' with power and great glory. Now
when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because
your redemption is drawing near." Then he told them a parable: "Look
at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see
for yourselves and know that summer is already near. So also, when you see these
things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell
you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "Be on
guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness
and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.
For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at
all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things
that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
Liturgist: The
Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you,
Lord Christ.
Sermon: Fr. Phil
Children’s Creed
We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father
is the maker of the world.
Since God is so great and we are so small,
We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus,
son of the Virgin Mary.
We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the
life, death and
resurrection of
Jesus Christ.
We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy
Spirit.
We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church
where everyone is
welcome.
We believe that Christ is kind and fair.
We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.
And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve
us forever. Amen.
Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. (chanted)
For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have
mercy.
For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have
mercy.
For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.
For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.
For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.
For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in
our world. Christ, have mercy.
For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have
mercy.
For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have
mercy.
For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have
mercy.
For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.
Liturgist: The
Peace of the Lord be always with you.
People: And also with you.
Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving
of an offering.
Song: Wait for the Lord, (Renew # 278)
Wait for the Lord, his day is near. Wait for the Lord, be strong, take heart.
Doxology
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.
Prologue to the Eucharist
Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong
the kingdom of heaven.”
All become members of a family by birth or adoption.
Baptism is a celebration of birth into the family of God.
A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.
The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to
his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ.
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made
us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts. Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all
of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might. Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.
All may gather around the altar
Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;
You have made us in your image
And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to
live by faith:
Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob
and Rachael.
And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured
by Joseph
And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.
Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this
Holy Meal so that when we eat
the bread and drink
the wine, we can know that the Presence
of Christ is as near to us as
this food and
drink that becomes a part of us.
The Prayer continues with these words
And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine.
Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and
Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Sanctify
us by your Holy Spirit so that might love God and our neighbor.
On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the
blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take,
eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of
me."
After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and
said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which
is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink
it, do this for the remembrance of me."
Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we
eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the
life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in
our future.
Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a
special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ. May we forever live with praise to God to
whom we belong as sons and daughters.
By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of
the Holy Spirit all honor and glory
is yours, Almighty
Father, now and for ever. Amen.
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing,
(Children rejoin their parents and take up their
instruments)
Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father who art in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.
Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.
Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.
And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.
As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.
Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.
But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.
Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy
name.
Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.
Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant: Alleluia!
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People: Therefore
let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Words of Administration
Communion Song: Eat This Bread , (Renew # 228)
Eat this
bread, drink this cup. Come to me and
never be hungry. Eat this bread, drink
this cup,
come to me
and you will not thirst.
Post-Communion Prayer
Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus
asked us to keep;
We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and
the wine.
And His Presence has been known to us.
We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and
brothers
and sisters in
Christ.
Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that
the blessing in the
bread and wine
spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,
As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. Amen.
Closing Song: Soon and Very Soon, (Renew # 276)
Soon and very soon, we are going to see the king; soon and
very soon, we are going to see the king; soon and very soon we are going to see
the king. Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re
going to see the king.
No more crying there, we are going to see the king; no more
crying there, we are going to see the king; no more crying there, we are going
to see the king. Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the king.
No more dying there, we are going to see the king; no more
dying there, we are going to see the king; no more dying there, we are going to
see the king. Hallelujah, hallelujah,
we’re going to see the king.
Dismissal:
Liturgist: Let us go forth in the Name of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God!