Westminster Worship Notes

December 2, 2007

1^st Sunday in Advent

Preparation for Worship

In a rational society people prefer to know what to expect in all settings and at all times; they neither want nor expect surprises. In order to ensure predictability over time and place, a rational society emphasizes such things as discipline, order, systematization, formalization, routine, consistency, and methodical operation. It is these familiar and comfortable rituals that make fast-food restaurants attractive to legions of people.

George Ritzer

A theology which comes pre-packaged, and in which there are no loose ends, is not true to life nor can it adequately reflect the richness of the Gospel.

John Drame

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, a liturgical season lasting for four weeks culminating on Christmas Day. During this time, we anticipate the advent of the coming Jesus. Advent is a time when we prepare ourselves through prayer and worship much like the season of Lent. In a culture in which Christmas decorations appear in stores even before Thanksgiving, we seek to live in the tension of the coming Light not yet here. In this way, Advent is a counter cultural practice where disciples focus on the spiritual grounding of the season.

The traditional theme of the First Sunday is Hope. The service begins with a church family lighting the first advent candle representing hope and we sing of the Light that shall come. Our opening hymn reflects this anticipation as we sing "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus". The Prophetic Lesson this morning comes from Isaiah in which the hope is in a future where "nations shall beat their swords into plowshares." The central text from the gospel of Luke tells the story of Zechariah and the song he sings at the birth of his son who would become known as John the Baptist. It is appropriate we begin this season with communion as we take nourishment for our journey together. We prepare the way in our closing hymn.