Lessons for December 3, 2006 – First Sunday of Advent

The first lesson

Jeremiah 33:14-16
 
    "The day will come, says the Lord, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good I have promised them. [15] At that time I will bring to the throne of David a righteous descendant, and he will do what is just and right throughout the land. [16] In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And their motto will be 'The Lord is our righteousness!'  (NLT) 

    
Psalm 25:1-10 

L.  To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.  I trust in you, my God!
C.  Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. 
L.  No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
C.  but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
L.  Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. 
C.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.
L.  All day long I put my hope in you.
C.  Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion,
L.  which you have shown from long ages past. 
C.  Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth;  look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love,
L.  for you are merciful, O Lord.
C.  The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 
L.  He leads the humble in what is right,  teaching them his way. 
C.  The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all those who keep his covenant and obey his decrees.  (NLT)

The second lesson

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
 
    How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy in the presence of God. [10] Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill up anything that may still be missing in your faith. 
    [11] May God himself, our Father, and our Lord Jesus make it possible for us to come to you very soon. [12] And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you. [13] As a result, Christ will make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy when you stand before God our Father on that day when our Lord Jesus comes with all those who belong to him.  (NLT)

The Gospel Lesson

Luke 21:25-36
 
    "And there will be strange events in the skies—signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And down here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. [26] The courage of many people will falter because of the fearful fate they see coming upon the earth, because the stability of the very heavens will be broken up. [27] Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. [28] So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!" 
    [29] Then he gave them this illustration: "Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. [30] When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. [31] Just so, when you see the events I've described taking place, you can be sure that the Kingdom of God is near. [32] I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these events have taken place. [33] Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever. 
    [34] "Watch out! Don't let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, [35] as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. [36] Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man."  (NLT)