We gather with a time of silence.
With so much noise in our world, with so many words that are false, or designed to divide, or crafted to manipulate us, silence is counter-cultural, healing, and prophetic. The liturgy will begin with an invitation to put down the words that hurt or destroy and to keep silent for a minute. This silence is a gift that helps us find our source again. Stir up your power, O Christ, and settle us down.
We listen for a Word.
Sunday readings come from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), a three-year cycle of readings that include Old Testament, Psalm, Letter, and Gospel. https://www.elca.org/our-work/congregations-and-synods/worship/lectionary/yearc. This year, we will read all the appointed lessons. Each year on Advent 1, we begin reading through a different Gospel; this year is from Luke. The readings are full of beautiful, hopeful, and challenging images. From ancient prophetic promises, to John’s sharp call for repentance, to Mary’s Magnificat, there are good and healing words that speak into our struggles.
We give thanks at the table.
Gloria Dei roots its life in the proclamation of a relevant, gospel word and in the full celebration of the sacraments. The blessing prayer that we say at the altar is merely an expanded table prayer, a Great Thanksgiving. This year, we simplify this prayer of blessing, fasting from the angel’s song, “Holy, Holy, Holy” until Christmas, using powerful, spare language so that the Eucharistic table and the kitchen table seem not so far apart. Note the inclusion of a prayer said each night at dinner by many Lutherans.
