This is the first Sunday for Advent in the worship series, "Grounded and Growing.
See the links below to access the series introduction and the other services.
Series Introduction Advent 2 Advent 3 Advent 4 Christmas
400 years of silence. That was the number of years between the last words of the prophet Malachi and the miraculous announcements that the Messiah was to be born to a young, unwed woman. 400 years during which time it seemed that God was silent as God’s people experienced ongoing political upheaval making life difficult. 400 years of waiting, wondering. Were any of the prophecies true? Was there to be a Messiah, someone who will save them from the tyranny of being ruled by foreign powers? For those who were looking, little hope was to be found.
Some may wonder where God is today? Is there any hope to be found in our world?
But all wasn’t lost then, nor is it now. Hope was not dead. Hope is not dead. Just as the prophet Isaiah had foretold, “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” And so, the angel Gabriel announced to a young unwed virgin that she was pregnant and would give birth to the Messiah, who would be named Jesus.
Both Isaiah 11 and Psalm 72 describe this “shoot,” this promised hope—the Messiah—as someone full of the Spirit who will set the world aright. This work was begun when Jesus was born and will continue till he comes again—the second Advent. For those living today who are victims of injustice, the promise of justice and equality when Jesus comes again provides the hope and resiliency to keep going.
A juxtaposition between this description of the true Savior and the world’s definition of a savior has played out on the world’s stage throughout history. In whose power will we place our hope? Will we join with Mary in responding to the invitation to join in the work of the Spirit by declaring, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)?
Additional resources and ideas follow the service outline.
Service Outline
[Start worship in a darkened space. If there is a prelude, have it be a quiet one followed by a time of silence. From out of the darkness…]
Call to Worship and Advent Candle lighting
[A long taper candle is lit as house lights are slowly turned on.]
Out of darkness a light shines.
Out of silence an angel declares the Savior will be born,
and a young woman responds, “Here am I.”
From a dead stump a shoot grows.
From hopelessness, hope.
Today we begin the journey toward the light.
Today we light this candle of hope.
—Joyce Borger © 2025 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
[Use the lit taper candle to light the first candle in the advent wreath.]
The God of hope calls us, “come and worship.”
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
—Psalm 72:18–19, NRSVUE
Opening Song
“Now the Heavens Start to Whisper” Bringle
Greeting
The God who makes life arise out of death,
the God who who speaks words of hope
amidst seemingly hopeless situations,
this God greets us today with the words the angel spoke to Mary,
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28, NIV)
Song of Praise
“Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory” Revelation 19, Jeffrey LaValley
Call to Confession and Lament
Our God is glorious, just, and righteous. As followers of Christ, God’s son, we are called to be like Christ. Like a child trying to copy the mannerisms of a beloved grown up so we are to emulate Christ in all things. Scripture says that Christ "delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life” (Psalm 72:12–14, NRSVUE). Yet instead of emulating Christ, we fail to be Christ-like again and again. So we take this time to acknowledge ours and this world’s sinfulness and to confess our sin before God.
We also come to God with our laments, our anger, our disappointments, our fear, and our hopelessness. Some of us are wondering where God is, and why it is taking Christ so long to return and set this world to right. We experience injustice and see it growing around us. We are the oppressed, the violated. We are the ones struggling to feed and cloth our children or ourselves. We have called out to God and are wondering where the promised helper is. We look at this world and feel hopeless. So, today we bring before God our laments.
Let us pray.
Forgive us when our hearts don’t break.
Prayer of Confession and Lament
Hear us, O Lord.
Listen closely as our hearts are breaking,
breaking for the world around us,
breaking for the many who are suffering, scared, and lonely,
breaking because we ourselves are suffering,
scared, and feel alone,
breaking for those suffering from addiction,
illnesses—both seen and unseen.
Listen closely as our voices crack,
as we question whether there is reason to hope.
Notice how we have stopped dreaming about the future
because we can’t imagine that there will be much of one.
Why Lord are you allowing the innocent
to be caught up in nets of deportation and hate,
to work so hard just to see everything destroyed,
to watch their children starve.
Why, Lord, are your people so divided?
Why?
[Time of Silence]
Forgive us Lord.
Forgive us for not speaking up
when we have seen injustice.
Forgive us for being part of unjust systems
and even choosing to act unjustly.
Forgive us for being so worried about ourselves and wanting to get ahead
that we have ignored your call to act with equity
and care for the poor and oppressed.
Forgive us when we choose not to hear the cries of others.
Forgive us when we shield our eyes from reality.
Forgive us when our hearts don’t break.
And, Lord, forgive us when we fail to bring your message of hope
to those in need.
For not proclaiming the good news of hope:
that life arises from death,
that a shoot grows out of a stump.
Forgive us for not believing in your promise
that you are coming again to set this world to right.
Amen.
—Joyce Borger © 2025 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Assurance of Pardon
Our God is good and gracious. The prophet Isaiah promises us that God
“shall not judge by what his eyes see
or decide by what his ears hear,
but with righteousness he shall judge for the poor
and decide with equity for the oppressed of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.”
—Isaiah 11:3–5, NRSVUE
We look forward with hope because, in Christ, new life grows from what was dead; in Christ, the world will be renewed.
Response of Thanksgiving
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
—Psalm 72:18–19, NRSVUE
Passing of Hope
“May God’s promises fill you with hope.” “And you too.”
Song of Praise and/or Preparation
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 11:1–9
Psalm: Psalm 72:1–7, 12–19
New Testament Reading: Luke 1:26–38
Sermon
A Shoot from a Stump—A Sign of Hope
[For sermon notes see the service introduction]
Song or Hymn of Response
“View the Present Through the Promise” Troeger
Creed and/or Testimonials
[Consider inviting congregants to share stories of hope.]
Prayers of the People
Offering, Offertory Prayer
Lord’s Supper
Thanksgiving
We respond with thanksgiving declaring,
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
—Psalm 72:18–19, NRSVUE
Song or Hymn of Dedication
“Told of God’s Favor” Leach
Call to Service
As you leave today,
go filled with hope,
for a shoot has come forth from a stump;
life has arisen from death.
As you leave today,
go with a “yes” ready on your lips
and resounding in your heart.
We say, “yes” to being Christ’s presence,
“yes” to being a light in the darkness,
“yes” to bringing a message of hope.
—Joyce Borger © 2025 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Blessing/Benediction
“Isaiah says,
‘The root of Jesse shall come,
the one who rises to rule the gentiles;
in him the gentiles shall hope.’
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
—Romans 15:12–13, NRSVUE
Doxology
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.
—Psalm 72:18–19, NRSVUE
Additional Music Suggestions
- Choral anthem suggestion: "A Shoot Shall Come Forth" by Richard Horn.
- “The Reign of Mercy” Bluett, Zach
- “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Latin, 12th C.
- “My Soul in Stillness Waits” Haugen
- “Toda la tierra/All Earth Is Waiting” Taulé
- “Now Blessed Be the Lord our God” Psalm 72:18–19, Scottish Psalter, 1650
- “Come, Thou Almighty King” anonymous
- “Long Ago, Prophets Knew” Green
Ideas for Inclusion
- This service includes the option of speaking the words of Psalm 72:18–19 several times. In the weeks leading up to this service encourage congregants of all ages to memorize these two verses. Hand out cards with these verses on them and consider making a recording of someone reading them as well so that those who learn orally are able to join in.
Weekly Prompt
This week share a piece of art, story, or photo where life comes from death. Share about hope found in a surprising place.
