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ADVENT

Year B

Colors: Blue or Purple

Advent may be one of the most difficult seasons to observe in the local church. Since August, Christmas items have been displayed by merchants. Christmas music began playing in the malls before Thanksgiving. It is difficult to call God’s people to a time of preparation and watchfulness. Our culture seems to be rushing headlong into Christmas. Advent is a season we may have to interpret and re-interpret to contemporary congregations.

“Advent is a season of great tension. It is primarily concerned with eschatological and not, as our contemporary American commercial sense would have it, with preparing for Christmas cheer. Rather, Advent expresses hope and expectation for both the first and second comings of Christ.” (The New Handbook of the Christian Year) The first Sunday is the beginning of the new church year. It plunges us into the already of Christ’s first coming in flesh and the not yet of the second coming at the end of time.

“Advent is both a time of thanks for the gift of Christ to us in past time and a time of anticipation of his second coming. It contains both threat and promise, and this characteristic is carried out in the lessons and in the hymnody of the season.” (The New Handbook of the Christian Year)

The Advent Lessons are not just looking to the nativity of Jesus. They are looking toward the coming of Christ to rule, judge, and to save. Our music, worship, and preaching are filled with the eschatology of Christ’s coming.

“The Advent-Christmas-Epiphany cycle of the Christian Year is an extraordinarily rich period. It presents Christians with a marvelous array of family and church customs, and it calls us to a deeper spiritual life together in Christ. At the same time, this season challenges us to create an environment of prayer and song, of Scripture, fellowship, and sacramental actions that counters the crass commercial use of Christmas carols from Thanksgiving on to sell anything and everything.” (The New Handbook of the Christian Year)

Advent Wreath

One of the most recognized symbols of Advent is the Advent Wreath. The Advent wreath, which was traditionally suspended from the ceiling or an arch so as to suggest the shape of a tree, consists of four candles and a larger Christ candle in the center. A circle of evergreens contains four candles. These may be blue or purple. The Christ candle should be large and white. Some traditions use a pink candle for the third Sunday of Advent: (Gaudete — "rejoice").

Blessing the Advent Wreath

Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again.

Let us pray that we may always be ready to welcome him.

R: Come, Lord Jesus.

That the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God's love, R

That the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin, R

That this wreath may constantly remind us

to prepare for the coming of Christ, R

That the Christmas season may fill us with peace and joy

as we strive to follow the example of Jesus, R

Loving God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior,

who enlightens our hearts

and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.

Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath.

May their light reflect the splendor of Christ,

who is Lord, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Book Of Blessings, United Methodist Book of Worship)

The candles may be lighted early in the service (perhaps somewhere in the sequence of reading the scripture for the day). Try and use a variety of people and circumstances in the service of lighting each week: a family with children; a single adult or two; an older couple; perhaps a single parent and children.

There are several possibilities for the ceremony of lighting the candles. After moving to the place of the wreath in the sanctuary, one member of the designated family lights the candle(s) while another member recites or reads an appropriate text immediately following the opening hymn and collect.

First Sunday: We light this candle as a symbol of expectation. May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way to salvation. O Come, O come, Emmanuel!

Second Sunday: We light this candle as a symbol of proclamation. May the Word sent from God through the prophets lead us to the way of salvation. O Come, O come, Emmanuel!

Third Sunday: We light this candle as a symbol of joy. May the joyful promise of your presence, O God, make us rejoice in our hope of salvation. O Come, O come, Emmanuel!

Fourth Sunday: We light this candle as a symbol of purity. May the visitation of your Holy Spirit, O God, purify us that we may be ready for the coming of Jesus, our hope and joy. O come, O come, Emmanuel!

Then on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, the acolytes or other ministers of the light will light all the candles, including the Christ candle, at the opening hymn or procession. (From The New Handbook of the Christian Year.)

Another possibility is to use the pattern of the O Antiphons, reading a different one each Sunday, with the congregation and choir singing a refrain as their response to the lighting of the candle(s). Those who are to do the ceremony move to the place of the Advent wreath immediately following the opening prayer or collect. The text is recited while the candle is being lighted.

First Sunday: O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Refrain (sung by congregation) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Second Sunday: O come, thou wisdom from on high, And order all things, far and nigh; To us the path of knowledge show, And cause us in her ways to go. Refrain

Third Sunday: O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

Fourth Sunday: O come, Desire of Nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease; Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. Refrain (From The New Handbook of the Christian Year)

There are many resources available for the lighting of the Advent Candles. You might wish to consult your denominational worship resources.

A good hymn to use is “Light the Advent Candle.” Use the first stanza on the First Sunday of Advent and then add a stanza each week.

Chrismon Tree

“The custom of the Chrismon Tree has become widely known. This involves the use of various symbols from the genealogy of Christ and of his life, death, and resurrection. The tree is decorated during early Advent and stands as a tree of remembrance of the whole story and significance of Christ whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. Specific instructions about the creation of the symbols from materials may be found in the Chrismons series of books published by The Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 314 West Main Street, Danville, Virginia 24541.” (The New Handbook of the Christian Year)

The decorating of the tree and the placing of the Advent wreath could be incorporated into a regular Sunday service simply by having the tree with the symbols higher on the tree already in place. Then, following the first reading or a hymn, a procession may be formed moving to a place where the symbols may be placed on the lower parts of the tree. Or, it may work better to have the tree placed and decorated at a different time from the regular Sunday worship. Many congregations save the Chrismon tree trunk to make a cross for Lent. Titus 3:4 7 may be read before the blessing.

Blessing of the Chrismon Tree

Holy Lord, we come with joy to celebrate the birth of your Son,

who rescued us from the darkness of sin

by making the cross a tree of life and light.

May this tree, arrayed in splendor,

remind us of the life giving cross of Christ,

that we may always rejoice in the new life that shines in our hearts.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

( Book of Blessings and United Methodist Book of Worship)

Hanging of the Greens

You may wish to celebrate the season with a “Hanging of the Greens” Service. This may best done following a mid-week dinner or a Sunday night. Depending upon the number of persons involved, the size of the room, and the extent of the greenery, this may be concluded with a short service of hymns or carols, scripture readings, and prayer. As a part of this, you may invite each class or group to prepare their meeting space/room with at least a wreath and whatever other greenery they wish. The wreaths could be placed in the sanctuary and at the conclusion of the service, someone from each group could go ahead and hang their wreath. Invite everyone to stroll through the building and enjoy the beauty. If this did not follow a meal, you may wish to end in the fellowship hall/café for refreshments and fellowship.

A Service for the Hanging of the Greens

This service is from the United Methodist Book of Worship. You may wish to consult other denominational worship resources for more suggestions.

Each lesson should, if possible, be read by a different reader. Each reader should announce the lesson by the descriptive title preceding it. At the end of the lesson, the reader or another person reads the narrative.

INTRODUCTION *

How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the King?

With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty.

How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the eternal Christ?

With garlands of pine and fir, whose leaves are ever living, ever green.

How shall we prepare this house for the coming of our Savior?

With wreaths of holly and ivy,
telling of his passion, death, and resurrection.

How shall we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Son of God?

By hearing again the words of the prophets,
who foretold the saving work of God.

For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through him might be saved.

Glory to God in the highest!

GOD WILL SEND A RIGHTEOUS KING

Jeremiah 23:5 6

In ancient times the cedar was revered as the tree of royalty.

It also signified immortality and was used for purification.

We place this cedar branch as a sign of Christ,

who reigns as King for ever,

and whose coming, in justice and righteousness, will purify our hearts.

HYMN “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

THE PROPHET DECLARES A CHILD WILL BE BORN

Isaiah 9:2, 6 7

Because the needles of pine and fir trees appear not to die each season,

the ancients saw them as signs of things that last for ever.

Isaiah tells us that there will be no end to the reign of the Messiah.

Therefore, we hang this wreath of evergreens shaped in a circle,

which itself has no end,

to signify the eternal reign of Jesus, the Christ.

HYMN: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (stanzas 5, 6, & 7)

THE FOURTH SERVANT SONG

Isaiah 53:1 6

For Christians, this passage from Isaiah reflects the sufferings of Jesus,

who saved us from our sins by his death on the cross,

and by his resurrection from the dead.

In ancient times,

holly and ivy were considered signs of Christ's passion.

Their prickly leaves suggested the crown of thorns,

the red berries the blood of the Savior,

and the bitter bark the drink offered to Jesus on the cross.

As we hang the holly and ivy,

let us rejoice in the coming of Jesus, our Savior.

HYMN: “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”

THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION

John 1:1 5, 9 14

As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World,

we light the Christmas (Chrismon ) tree.

During this Advent, wherever you see a lighted Christmas tree,

let it call to mind the One who brings light to our darkness,

healing to our brokenness, and peace to all who receive him.

The tree is now lighted, and the Blessing of the Chrismon Tree may be prayed.

HYMN: “This Little Light of Mine”

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Advent Service of Lessons and Carols or Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

“One of the most beloved traditions of Advent and Christmas from England is a form of worship known as the "festival of lessons and carols." There are two principal versions, the Advent carol service and the service of nine lessons and carols (Christmas Eve). The pattern in both is the same: God’s Word is proclaimed and contemplated in a special sequence of readings, prayers, and both choral and congregational song. The service of nine lessons and carols was first conceived by Archbishop Benson for use in the Truro Cathedral in the late nineteenth century. It was simplified and adapted for use in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, in 1918, by Dean Eric Milner-White. Advent carol services were essentially adaptations of this basic pattern, originating in schools and colleges where it was not possible to celebrate Christmas during term-time.” (The New Handbook of the Christian Year)

Both services are readily available from denomination worship resources.

SUNDAYS IN ADVENT

First Sunday In Advent

Scripture

Isaiah 64:1–9

Our text is actually part of a community lament. The writer seems permeated throughout with disillusionment and abandonment. God who once acted powerfully now seems absent. The lament begins with a recounting of God's past salvation from Egypt. There is an acknowledgement of God’s presence during the first Exodus, present to the point of sharing in the affliction of Israel in Egypt even when they did not know it even if the people did not realize it. This may be true now. God is present with us as we wait.

Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19

This Psalm is a lament in which the community of faith is pictured as waiting for the salvation of God and calling upon God to bring about a new salvation. God is absent and the community undertakes a sustained effort to invoke God to return, so that they might be saved.

1 Corinthians 1:3–9

From the opening, Paul begins to address the problem within the church. The Corinthians have formed cliques arguing who is more spiritual. God blessed these believers with "spiritual gifts." The Corinthians have misunderstood and abused God's blessings. All these gifts are the gifts of a gracious God. God’s good gifts are given to sustain us in mutual love; they are not given to elevate one over another. Our focus is Christ; our goal is Christ-like living.

Mark 13:24–37

Our gospel for this first Sunday in Advent is a cluster of statements about the future. Mark offers the section as a grand final pronouncement before the Passion. There are three discernible parts to the text. First is a section filled with apocalyptic images and concerned with the coming of the Son of Man. Second, is a set of sayings related to an imminent crisis. Third, is the warning of an unknown time of final judgment. These passages deal with two distinct times of crisis: the destruction of the Jerusalem and the crisis of final judgment at the end of time. “The text speaks of God's ultimate, determinative judgment of humanity.” (Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B) God will have the final word over the destiny of creation. We are hopeful because we understand the crucified and resurrected Jesus will play the central role in God's promised judgment. The time of the end is unknown to all (including Jesus) except God. We are called to be constantly prepared. It is no a call to get ready.” It is a call to “live ready.”

Litany

L: There’s a special message for you today.

P: What is it?

L: It’s a word of peace, of God’s brilliant peace for your lives.

P: What is that?

L: It is an awareness of God’s loving presence in your lives in which your spirits are calmed and comforted, made ready to receive the Gift.

P: How can we find that peace?

L: Wait. Listen. Breathe deeply. God’s gift will come to you.

P: When is it coming to us?

L: You may not know the hour or minute, but you can be assured that God’s gift of God’s own self will be given for you.

P: What do we need to do?

L: Be ready. God’s promise of peace and hope are real and they are given especially for you. Do not fear. Do not be afraid. God is with us. AMEN.

P: AMEN.

Greetings/Calls to Worship

L: The Lord is coming to us soon. Make ready your hearts to receive Him.

P: We are caught up in the rush of the season. Calm us down, Lord.

L: The Lord is bringing peace to you.

P: Praise be to God who brings peace to a hectic world. AMEN.

L: The time of waiting and watching is here! Are you ready?

P: We are waiting for the Lord of peace to open our hearts.

L: The Lord of Peace comes to you this day to free you from your sins.

P: We are ready to receive the precious blessings of God.

L: Come, let us worship God who loves us dearly.

P: Let us praise God for God’s blessings in our lives. AMEN.

In every season of life,
God is always with us, even when we believe otherwise.
In this season of waiting,
Jesus reminds us that Bethlehem
is the beginning of our discipleship,
not the end of the journey.
In this season of Advent anticipation and hope,
the Spirit opens our ears to the songs of the angels.

(Thom Shum)

Prayers

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, as we begin this season of Advent remind us again that in the midst of our darkness you are bringing us peace, to calm our anxious spirits and hectic lives. Turn our hearts again toward you. Make us ready to receive your Son our Savior. Slow our pace, and give us the blessing of feeling your peace in our spirits. For we ask this in Jesus’ precious Name. AMEN

Prayers of Confession and Pardon

It’s starting already, Lord. It is only the first Sunday in Advent, and we are caught up in the pressures and stresses of the holiday season. Pursued by the temptation to spend our funds, our energy, our spirits, we feel that there is no peace or rest in the world. Lord of light and peace, shine on us this day. Forgive us when we have so easily succumbed to the anxieties and fears and temptations of the season. Slow us down. Calm our spirits. Give us an awareness that this is the season of waiting and of preparation. Pour peace into our lives and help us to be bearers of peace to others. For we ask this in Jesus’ precious Name. AMEN.

Words of Assurance:

Even in the midst of difficult times, God is with us, bringing peace to us. Receive God’s rich blessing of peace and hope. AMEN.

Prayer of Confession

by the Rev. Nathan Decker

Great God of Presence and Promised Coming,
We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.
We have failed to fulfill your desire for us to love one another.
We have not followed the paths you have given us,
      Choosing instead to follow our own.
We have broken relationships,
We chase consumer desires,
We treat those who wait on us as less than human.
We have rebelled against your love;
We spend our time and money,
      on gifts for those who give us gifts.
We have not loved our neighbors, we spend time
      With family and friends out of obligation rather than sincere love.
We have not heard the cry of the needy,
The mouth of the poor is still hungry for mercy,
The cause of the oppressed is still thirsty for justice.
Free us for joyful obedience, through the Advent of Christ,
Our Lord, Our Messiah, Our Hope. Amen.

All pray in silence.

Good News! Good News! Good News!
God so loved the world that he gave
Sinful and broken humanity a gift: Emmanuel, God with us.
This proves God's love toward us!
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

Glory to God! Amen.

Call to Reconciliation
In this season of hope, joy and peace - how often do people receive these gifts from us? As we begin our journey through Advent, let us put down those failures and foolish behaviors which keep us from getting very far. Join me as we pray, saying,

Responsive Prayer of Confession
Holy God of Advent,
you come near to us,
yet we continue to seal our hearts
with indifference to a suffering world.
Tear open our hearts,
and make us more compassionate.
You approach us with bundles of mercy
to kindle our hope, but we continue to build
our lives with the bricks of bitterness.
Tear open our anger, so we might become
more forgiving.
You draw near, longing to embrace us,
but we fold our arms, closing ourselves off
from those all around us.
Tear open our souls, so we might become
children of Advent.
God, shaper-of-our-lives:
have mercy;
Jesus, Word-which-does-not-pass-away:
fill us with your grace;
Holy Spirit, Giver-of-the-Light-of-peace:
Shine through our lives.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
Even now, God approaches us, mercy transcending anger, hope overcoming despair, life triumphing over death. This is good news, my friends; this is news of great joy for each of us.
Enriched in every grace, blessed with joy and hope, transformed by love, we will live as people of Advent. Thanks be to God. Amen.

(Thom Shuman)

Thematic

God of justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may stand in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and stand without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Intercessory

We seek the mighty God
in the most unlikely places
as a child in a stable,
and in an empty tomb.
May God hear these prayers,
which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

Give us ears to hear, O God,
and eyes to watch,
that we may know your presence in our midst
during this holy season of joy
as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Possible Hymns

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
“All My Hope Is Firmly Grounded”
“All Praise To Our Redeeming Lord”
“All Things Bright and Beautiful”
“Hail to The Lord’s Anointed”
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
“How Firm A Foundation”
“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
“Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending”
“Change My Heart O God”
“I Want To Walk As A Child of The Light”
“Lead Me, Guide Me”
“People Look East”
“Wounded World That Cries For Healing”
“I Know Whom I Have Believed”
“My Lord, What A Morning”
“O Day of God Draw Nigh”
“Soon and Very Soon”
“Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying”
“All Earth Is Waiting”
“Light the Advent Candle”

A New Hymn for the First Sunday in Advent

Open Wide Your Heavens!
CRANHAM Irregular (In The Bleak Midwinter)

Open wide your heavens! Let your name be known!
So the world will know, then, we are not alone.
You who once did awesome deeds — show your presence here!
Open wide your heavens! Let us know you're near.

In this Advent season, Lord, we wait and pray:
Why do you seem hidden? Are you far away?
We confess you're faithful still; we're the ones who've sinned.
Like old leaves we're faded, carried by the wind.

Carried by our culture, we seek more and more;
As we long to prosper, we forget the poor.
As we yearn for earthly things, we forget your name.
Open wide your heavens! Make us whole again.

Lord, you are the potter; we are simply clay.
Help us to be better; mold us more each day.
In this special Advent time, show us all anew:
You reach out and bless us, when we wait for you

Biblical References: Isaiah 64:1-9
Tune: Gustav T. Holst, 1906.
Text: Copyright © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

There Is a Mighty Question
ANGEL'S STORY 7.6.7.6 D (O Jesus, I Have Promised)

There is a mighty question we ask when nations rage:
Just when will be Christ's coming, the ending of the age?
Take care, said Jesus clearly, for many will appear;
They'll claim to be Messiah, yet people should not fear.

For in the days of Noah, the people went along
In eating and in drinking, in merriment and song —
Then suddenly the world changed with great, surprising power;
So too will be Christ's coming, and no one knows the hour.

So keep awake and watchful; salvation is at hand!
Our hope is in Christ Jesus, and by God's grace we stand.
The night is almost over, we wait for God's new day,
And through the Holy Spirit, we follow Jesus' way.

Be ready in your living, for when you feed the poor,
Or give to thirsty children the water they long for,
And when you welcome strangers and help the ones in need,
Christ says: "Receive my kingdom, for you are serving me."

Biblical References: Mark 13:1-37; Matthew 24-25; Luke 21:8-36; Romans 13:11-14
Tune: Arthur Henry Mann, 1881
Text: Copyright © 1998 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

God, You Alone Know What You've Planned
CAROL 8.6.8.6 D (It Came Upon the Midnight Clear)

God, you alone know what you've planned For earth and sky and sea.
Creation waits your loving hand To bring in what will be.
When things we trust in shift and shake And sorrows multiply,
We hear you calling, "Keep awake! Redemption is close by!"

O Christ, you taught us, "Watch the trees As seasons change each year,
For when they bud and grow new leaves You know that summer's near."
May we look round this changing earth And see with faith-filled eyes
Your signs of newness, life and birth That witness to the wise.

Though heav'n and earth will pass away, Your word will still be true.
O Son of Man, on that great day, We'll be secure in you.
For at the close of history When all that's past shall end,
The one who judges us will be No stranger, but a friend.

So by your Spirit may we share The life you're bringing forth:
May we seek justice, end despair, And work to heal the earth.
For there's a new day coming near With no more death or pain;
Till then, we'll seek to serve you here And welcome in your reign.

Biblical References: Luke 21:25-36; Matthew 24:29-36; Mark 13:24-32; Romans 8:34; John 15:13-15; Romans 8:16-17; Isaiah 1.17; Luke 4:18; Revelation 22:2; 21:4; 11:15; Matthew 6:9-14; 33.
Tune: Richard Storrs Willis, Church Chorals and Choir Studies, 1850.
Text: Copyright © 2009 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

The Second Sunday in Advent

Color: Blue

Scripture

Isaiah 40:1–11

This beautiful and lyrical passage is the call of an anonymous prophet (maybe “second Isaiah) during the exile. The text proclaims a new salvation to a people who are unworthy of it. They believed they were being justly punished for their unfaithfulness. Here is a message of hope. Yes, the grass withers and the flowers fade, but “the word of our God will stand forever.” God will come and lead his flock like a shepherd.

Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13

Our Psalm is a request for God’s salvation. The selected text is the divine answer. The central theme of the lectionary psalm is a message of peace. “Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.”

2 Peter 3:8–15a

The text has us dealing with the “last days.” While the images and language of the text are foreign to the majority of us, they were immediately understandable to early Christians. Our forebears knew the teaching, literature, and worldview of their day.

The text deals with God’s perspective on time. These verses continue by teaching about God's purposes and the future judgment. They apply the teaching to life and exhort the readers/hearers to appropriate patterns of behavior. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's work of judgment had begun. Believers expected that God's work would be consummated in the "day of the Lord, the dramatic final judgment that would bring this world to an end. “What then does all the talk of judgment mean for believers? Nothing more and nothing less than that we keep ourselves ready, that we live our lives now as we expect we shall live in God's promised new creation.” (Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B)

Mark 1:1–8

“The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ.” Cue the music. But, wait, not Jesus but John appears.” Right here, second week in Advent; two weeks before Christmas and we get John, not the cuddly baby. He is not dressed in his Christmas sweater nor boots. Drab he is; a real downer for this time of the year. Yet appear he does, as the fulfillment of scripture no less. His message does not appear to be “Joy to the world;” but rather a call to repent and be ready for one who is coming. This one who is coming is mightier than John; and he will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John is a forerunner. He is not the Messiah. He points us toward the Messiah: Jesus Christ. In so doing, he points us to the power and presence of the saving grace of God.

Greetings/Calls to Worship

You know what time it is,

how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.

For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;

the night is far gone, the day is near.

Let us then lay aside the works of darkness

and put on the armor of light.

L: Days are getting darker.
P: Who will come to give us light?
L: The voice of the prophet cries in the wilderness of our lives!
P: Is this prophet the One who brings the light?
L: This prophet brings witness to the Light which is coming for all people.
P: Praise be to God who has heard our cries. AMEN.

Or

L: What have you come to see?
P: We have come to see the Light.
L: The light of hope is here for you.
P: God’s hope shines through our darkness.
L: Come, worship the Lord of Light and Hope!
P: Praise God for the breaking of light into our lives. AMEN.

Prayers

Opening Prayer

Lord of Darkness and of Light, come to us this day in the midst of our growing darkness bringing the light of hope to our lives. Keep our hearts and minds alert to your presence. Give peace to our stressed spirits. In this season of Advent, prepare us to greet the One who will lift our burdens and change our lives forever. AMEN.

Prayer of Confession and Pardon

Call to Reconciliation

We can no longer play dumb. We not only know the lives we are called to lead, we are well aware of how we fail - through our words as well as our silence, by our deeds and our unwillingness to act. Let us confess to the God who comes to us,

Unison Prayer of Confession

You call us home to live with you, Comfort of the lost, but we are too busy right now to listen. We flock to the stores run by temptation and seduction, seeking the best prices. We rush to judge everyone around us, but ask you to be more patient with our repeated errors. We feast at the table piled high with broken promises and drink from the cup of fading dreams.

Yet you continue to cry out to us, Broken Heart, speaking to us of your love. Forgiveness is the gift for every moment, not just one day; hope is our constant companion as we journey with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who is your Messenger of mercy.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon

At the beginning, at the end, and in every time between, the good news speaks to us of God's tender mercy and love for us.
God comes! Not to punish, but to gift us with peace, not to judge, but to save us. Thanks be to God. Amen.

(Thom Shurman)

Thematic

God of timeless grace,
you fill us with joyful expectation.
Make us ready for the message that prepares the way,
that with uprightness of heart and holy joy
we may eagerly await the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Intercessory

God of hope,
you raised up John the baptizer
as a herald who calls us to conversion.
As we joyfully await the glorious coming of Christ,
we pray to you for the needs of the church and the world.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

Hear our humble prayer
that we may serve you in holiness and faith
and give voice to your presence among us
until the day of the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Possible Hymns

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
“All Earth Is Waiting”
“People Look East”
“O God Our Help In Ages Past”
“Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”
“There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy”
“There’s A Voice In the Wilderness Crying”
“Blessed Be The God of Israel”
“Hail To The Lord’s Anointed”
“Heralds of Christ”
“Wake, Awake For Night Is Flying”
“Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates”
“I Want to Be Ready”
“This Is A Day of New Beginnings”
“On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”
“Come, Ye Sinners Poor and Needy”
“O Day of God Draw Nigh”
“When Jesus Came To Jordan”

The Third Sunday in Advent

Color: Blue

Scripture

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11

Scholars suggest this is the call of yet another prophet in the tradition of Isaiah who is addressing Israel in the post-exilic period. This may be the third voice in Isaiah. Those addressed are the oppressed, the captives, the prisoners, as well as those who mourn and presently have a weak spirit. The prophet is being "sent out." The task of the prophet includes: to announce, to bind up, to call, to call, to comfort, to place, and to give. We are to proclaim liberation and release to the captives. The prophet is to proclaim the imminence of salvation. The text is ultimately about the future; a new world order is coming.

Psalm 126

This Psalm is a pilgrimage song used by those who journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem. It is the image of salvation as a dream. The restoration of Zion was more than they dared hope. Is this only a dream? Now they have the courage of faith to request that God produce new ones. Living the life of faith during Advent is daring to dream about the future.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24

This is Paul’s earliest writing. Paul writes from Corinth to address issues and concerns in the life of the congregation. The members of the church suffer persecution by non-believers. The church is to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. They are not to quench the spirit nor fail to hear the prophetic word. But, they are to test everything, hold fast to what is good, and abstain from evil. God is the source of power to accomplish all this.

John 1:6–8, 19–28

We meet John the Baptizer again this week in the prologue to John’s gospel. John came in the darkness to bear witness to the light. John “knew who he was and what his role was. He was not the Messiah but he pointed to the Messiah. While John noted that he baptized with water, there was one standing among you who will baptize with spirit.

Today is Gaudete Sunday, from the opening word, "Rejoice.” It is the church's recognition that the Christmas celebration is very near. It is the day to use the pink candle in the advent wreath.

Greetings/Calls to Worship

L: Come, continue on the journey. It is not far now.

P: But where are we going?

L: God is welcoming us to God’s kingdom.

P: Can we see it from here?

L: We see it in the faces of those who know of God’s love.

P: Will that same love be given to us?

L: It already has been given, and his name is Jesus! He is God’s beloved Son, our Light and Hope.

P: Quickly, let us journey toward his light. AMEN.

The spirit of the Lord God is upon us:
to bring good news to the oppressed;
to bind up the brokenhearted;
to proclaim liberty to the captives;
and release to the prisoners.
The spirit of the Lord God has anointed us:
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor;
to announce the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort those who mourn;
and give them a garland instead of ashes,
a mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
Come worship the Lord who clothes us
with the garments of salvation.
Worship the Lord!

Here, in this place,
we discover the great things God has done.
In story and song, in silence and sacrament,
we are reminded that God's relationship with us
which lasts forever.
Here, with these people,
we find our true home.
where we can run home laughing,
after being lost for so long.
Here, during this holy season,
we hear those promises made so long ago.
Of the One who repairs all our mistakes,
of the One who reshapes our brokenness.

(Thom Shuman)

Prayers

Opening Prayer:

Lord of Love and Light, shine through our darkness, bringing us hope. Open our hearts for the journey, our eyes for the light, our spirits for the peace which you bring. Fill our mouths with laughter and speech with shouts of joy that we shall reveal the love with which you surround us. We offer this prayer in the name of the One who is coming into the world bringing your hope, love, peace, and joy, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Call to Reconciliation

Hope, joy, forgiveness, life - these are the gifts God offers to us in this season of preparation and anticipation. But too often, we put God's love to the test, with our foolish behavior and unwise choices. Let us confess, out loud and in silence, the lives we lead, praying,

Unison Prayer of Confession

Anointer of righteousness: you whisper songs about mercy to us, but we would rather rejoice in another's misery. When we would dam off the Spirit with our shoulds and shallnots, you knock down our words, so grace can flood into the world. While we gossip about the foolishness of our friends, you testify to us of their compassion and kindness.

Forgive us, Giver of grace. Salvation is your gift to us, not something we can buy on sale. Joy is that seed you plant deep within us, so we may share the harvest with all we meet. Hope is the healing offered to our brokenness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon

This is the good news: God anoints us with grace and peace, not so we can become better than others, but so we can be the servants of a hurting and hungering world.
We will go, taking the good news with us, testifying to all we meet, with our words, our hearts, our lives. Thanks be to God, we are forgiven. Amen.

(Thom Shuman)

Thematic

God of hope,
you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression
to the freedom of justice,
the balm of healing,
and the joy of sharing.
Make us strong to join you in your holy work,
as friends of strangers and victims,
companions of those whom others shun,
and as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Intercessory

Brothers and sisters,
as we joyfully await the glorious coming of the Christ,
let us pray for the needs of the church, our community, and the world.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

God of joy and exultation,
you strengthen what is weak;
you enrich the poor
and give hope to those who live in fear.
Look upon our needs this day.
Make us grateful for the good news of salvation
and keep us faithful in your service
until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives for ever and ever. Amen.

(Vanderbilt Theological Library)

Possible Hymns

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
Advent Candle Song”
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
”There’s A Voice In the Wilderness Crying”
“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”
“Break Thou, the Bread of Life”
“Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”
“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
“O God, Our Help In Ages Past”
“When God Restored Our Common Life”
“Give Thanks”
“God Be With You ‘Till We Meet Again”
“Take Time To Be Holy”
“What A Friend We Have in Jesus”
“God Hath Spoken by the Prophets”
“Be Thou My Vision”
“Go Forth for God”

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

Color: Blue

Scripture

2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16

“This is a complex story that includes most of the major symbols and problems of ancient Israelite faith: king, prophet, prophet, ark, temple, blindness (pious motivation to do something for God and prophetic approval that in fact does not represent God's wishes), revelation, power, and election.” (Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B) David recognizes his own house but God has no house. The Ark of the Covenant is housed in a tent and kept portable. The God of the Exodus is not tied to a temple and has never asked for one. David seems sincere. If the king has a nice house, God should have a nice dwelling place. There is a reversal. God says David will not build God a house rather God will build David a house. The text establishes God's unconditional promise to David that a member of his house would rule Israel forever. This promise is the starting point of messianic theology.

Luke 1:46b–55

The Magnificat is a hymn best interpreted as a personal thanksgiving psalm. The hymn consists of four parts. First, there is thanksgiving. The second part is of personal experience and notes that Mary is of low social status. The third section is a confession of the character of God. It notes that God brings reversals. It ends on a note of confidence concerning the salvation of God.

Romans 16:25–27

Here is a doxology. The first major thought about God is that God is able to strengthen the believers. Only God is wise. God is able and God works to sustain believers. The work of God in Christ has the goal of bringing obedience of faith. God is granting life to us. God is doing for us in Christ what we cannot do for ourselves.

Luke 1:26–38

“Greetings O favored one . . . you have found favor with God.” What is the adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” God’s appearance to Mary with the startling news sounds too good to be true. In God’s case, it is true! “At the heart of this story is the Christian conviction and claim that at a particular time and place, in a manner that supersedes the normal course of historical human events, God acted in history in relation to humankind, begetting his Son who comes in fulfillment of God's promises and for the salvation of humanity.” (Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year B) This is the fulfillment of God’s promises. Mary enthusiastically accepts God’s will and serves as a model of true faith, accepting God's will despite her lack of comprehension. This story testifies to God’s grace.

Greetings/Calls to Worship

L: Welcome, dear people, God has blessed our gathering.

P: We come again on this journey, following the light.

L: God’s light shines for us today, bringing peace and comfort.

P: May we, like Mary, respond to God’s presence and love, with confident joy. AMEN.

L: Light the lamps, prepare the room, God is coming to us!

P: Make our hearts and spirits ready to receive God’s most gracious gift, God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

L: Push the darkness away. The light is truly coming!

P: May God’s light shine on us, in us and through us that God’s glory may be seen. AMEN.

L: Welcome this day to worship.

P: The light of this season has beckoned us forward.

L: Come and rejoice, for God’s light is coming to us.

P: Praise be to God who pours light into our lives.

L: Open your hearts and spirits and receive the blessings of God.

P: May we always be ready to respond in joyful ways to God’s love. AMEN.

Prayers

Opening Prayer

In the rush of preparation for holiday celebration, we come to this place to be fed by God. We need the peace, hope, love and joy that this season represents. We need to listen again with wonder at the magnificent words of Mary as she proclaims her faithful participation in God’s most miraculous gift. Open our hearts this day, Lord, to receive the words and the blessings, to be fed and then to be those who will share with others as you have shared with us. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.

Thematic

Intercessory

Possible Hymns

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“Hail To God’s Anointed”
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
“Of The Father’s Love Begotten”
“Angels We Have Heard On High”
“Once In Royal David’s City”
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
“Tell Out My Soul”
“Hail To The Lord’s Anointed”
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”
“Jesus Shall Reign”
“Bless His Holy Name”
“Give Thanks”
“In the Bleak Midwinter”
Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming”
“All Earth Is Waiting”
“Make Me A Servant”
“People, Look East”
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”

There's Not a Thing that God Can't Do
WINCHESTER OLD 8.6.8.6 (While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks)

"There's not a thing that God can't do!"
The angel said. "Not one!
For Mary, God has favored you
And you will bear God's Son."

So Mary answered, "Here am I,
The servant of the Lord."
She knew that she could well rely
Upon the angel's word.

There's not a blessing we won't know
If God is pleased to share;
As Mary found out long ago,
We're ever in God's care.

O God, what awesome things you do;
You call, surprise and bless!
As Mary answered, may we, too,
Respond by saying, "Yes!"

Biblical References: Luke 1:26-38
Tune: Este's Psalmes, 1592.
Text: Copyright © 2011 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net

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ADVENT

Year A

“Advent is a season of great tension. It is primarily concerned with eschatological and not, as our contemporary American commercial sense would have it, with preparing for Christmas cheer. Rather, Advent expresses hope and expectation for both the first and second comings of Christ.” (The New Handbook of the Christian Year) The first Sunday is the beginning of the new church year. It plunges us into the already of Christ’s first coming in flesh and the not yet of the second coming at the end of time.

Advent Wreath

Blessing the Advent Wreath

Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again.

Let us pray that we may always be ready to welcome him.

Come, Lord Jesus.

That the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God's love,

That the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin,

That this wreath may constantly remind usto prepare for the coming of Christ,

That the Christmas season may fill us with peace and joyas we strive to follow the example of Jesus,

Loving God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior,

who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.

Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath.

May their light reflect the splendor of Christ,

who is Lord, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Book Of Blessings, United Methodist Book of Worship)

The candles may be lighted early in the service (perhaps somewhere in the sequence of reading the scripture for the day). Try and use a variety of people and circumstances in the service of lighting each week. (A family with children; a single adult or two; an older couple; perhaps a single parent and child.)

First Sunday: We light this candle as a symbol of expectation. May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way to salvation. O Come, O come, Emmanuel!

Second Sunday: We light this candle as a symbol of proclamation. May the Word sent from God through the prophets lead us to the way of salvation. O Come, O come, Emmanuel!

Third Sunday: We light this candle as a symbol of joy. May the joyful promise of your presence, O God, make us rejoice in our hope of salvation. O Come, O come, Emmanuel!

Fourth Sunday: We light this candle as a symbol of purity. May the visitation of your Holy Spirit, O God, purify us that we may be ready for the coming of Jesus, our hope and joy. O come, O come, Emmanuel!

First Sunday: O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Refrain (sung by congregation) Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

Second Sunday: O come, thou wisdom from on high, And order all things, far and nigh; To us the path of knowledge show, And cause us in her ways to go.

Third Sunday: O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

Fourth Sunday: O come, Desire of Nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease; Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. Refrain (From The New Handbook of the Christian Year)

There are many resources available for the lighting of the Advent Candles. You might wish to consult your denominational worship resources.

A good hymn to use is “Light the Advent Candle.” Use the first stanza on the First Sunday of Advent and then add a stanza each week.

Chrismon Tree

Blessing the Chrismon Tree

Holy Lord, we come with joy to celebrate the birth of your Son,

who rescued us from the darkness of sin

by making the cross a tree of life and light.May this tree, arrayed in splendor,

remind us of the life giving cross of Christ,

that we may always rejoice in the new life that shines in our hearts.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Blessings and United Methodist Book of Worship)

Hanging of the Greens

A Service for the Hanging of the Greens

This service is from the United Methodist Book of Worship. You may wish to consult other denominational worship resources for more suggestions.

INTRODUCTION *

How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the King?

With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty.

How shall we prepare this house for the coming of the eternal Christ?

With garlands of pine and fir, whose leaves are ever living, ever green.

How shall we prepare this house for the coming of our Savior?

With wreaths of holly and ivy,
telling of his passion, death, and resurrection.

How shall we prepare our hearts for the coming of the Son of God?

By hearing again the words of the prophets,
who foretold the saving work of God.

For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,

but that the world through him might be saved.

Glory to God in the highest!

GOD WILL SEND A RIGHTEOUS KING

Jeremiah 23:5 6

In ancient times the cedar was revered as the tree of royalty.

It also signified immortality and was used for purification.

We place this cedar branch as a sign of Christ,

who reigns as King for ever,

and whose coming, in justice and righteousness, will purify our hearts.

HYMN “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

THE PROPHET DECLARES A CHILD WILL BE BORN

Isaiah 9:2, 6 7

Because the needles of pine and fir trees appear not to die each season,

the ancients saw them as signs of things that last for ever.

Isaiah tells us that there will be no end to the reign of the Messiah.

Therefore, we hang this wreath of evergreens shaped in a circle,

which itself has no end,

to signify the eternal reign of Jesus, the Christ.

HYMN: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (stanzas 5, 6, & 7)

THE FOURTH SERVANT SONG

Isaiah 53:1 6

For Christians, this passage from Isaiah reflects the sufferings of Jesus,

who saved us from our sins by his death on the cross,

and by his resurrection from the dead.

In ancient times,

holly and ivy were considered signs of Christ's passion.

Their prickly leaves suggested the crown of thorns,

the red berries the blood of the Savior,

and the bitter bark the drink offered to Jesus on the cross.

As we hang the holly and ivy,

let us rejoice in the coming of Jesus, our Savior.

HYMN: “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”

THE MYSTERY OF THE INCARNATION

John 1:1 5, 9 14

As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World,

we light the Christmas (Chrismon ) tree.

During this Advent, wherever you see a lighted Christmas tree,

let it call to mind the One who brings light to our darkness,

healing to our brokenness, and peace to all who receive him.

The tree is now lighted, and the Blessing of the Chrismon Tree may be prayed.

HYMN: “This Little Light of Mine”

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Advent Service of Lessons and Carols or Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Both services are readily available from denomination worship resources.

SUNDAYS IN ADVENT

Year A

FIRST SUNDAY

Scripture

Isaiah 2:1-5

Is there any greater promise of peace or more beautiful way to begin Advent and a new church year than the beautiful words of this passage: “and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” This word “came to Jeremiah from the Lord.” The words are spoken in Micah 4:1-4 and it is impossible to know who borrowed from whom. The words are a prophetic announcement or promise of salvation. Zion will be elevated and the people will make a pilgrimage to Zion. The nations come to Zion for teaching and instruction from God. The people, not God, destroy the weapons. Their acknowledgement of God and their trust in God is the basis for peace. The promise “in days to come” is in the future, distant, but not vague. It is not a prediction of the end times. Circumstances will change and the Lord will reign. The word shalom does not appear in this concept, but that is what the text offers. Shalom, when peace with justice will reign. Then and now, weapons are expensive. Imagine the money that would be freed up for food when peace prevails.

Psalm 122

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” This is one of the Psalms of Assent. It is a pilgrimage Psalm as the people travel to Jerusalem. The reason for the pilgrimage is to experience Jerusalem. To experience Jerusalem is ultimately to experience the reality of God's reign and God's purposes for the world. The invitation to pray for the peace of Jerusalem resonates today. In the Psalms, Jerusalem represents the presence of God in a space and time. “To enter Jerusalem is ultimately to experience the reality of God's reign and to be transformed to represent God's just purposes in God's world. In short, to enter Jerusalem is to live eschatologically, because God's claim and God's purposes are always opposed. . . .” (The New Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. 4) Does our worship transport us to a realm of God’s presence and reign?

Romans 13:11-14

What time is it? Paul’s answer is that it is almost daybreak. Stay awake and be about your Christian tasks. With the resurrection of Jesus, God’s promised new age had dawned. That full day was yet to come. Christians therefore live in the interval between the early signs of dawn and the sunrise itself. Our behavior must be appropriate for the day, not the night. This is a special time a kairos moment. We are to reject the “works of darkness and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” We might remember that we “put on Christ” in our baptism. We continue in Christ as we attend to the Word, to prayer, and to worship. This call will ring against the prevailing call of our culture.

Matthew 24:36-44

In Matthew’s gospel, these extended warnings are near the end. The story makes clear that even the son of Man does not know when all of this will happen. As it was in the days of Noah, people were busy living their lives. All was going on as usual. There is no decoding of signs; no one knows when the end will come. So, the call is to live prepared. It is not to “get ready” but to live ready. What the disciples know is that the end could come at any time; this knowledge should spur active engagement in their assigned mission. In the metaphor of the thief, again underscoring the unknown time of the Parousia, if the household owner had known when the thief was coming, he might have been prepared. We only know the Son of Man is coming, not when. Advent reminds us to live ready.

Greetings/Calls to Worship

You know what time it is,

how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep.

For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;

the night is far gone, the day is near.

Let us then lay aside the works of darkness

and put on the armor of light.

(ROMANS 13:11 12)

Tell the timid to take heart.

The Lord our God will come!

(Traditional Monastic Liturgy)

We don't always know that time it is,
but according to Jesus, it is time to watch.
We're not always sure what we should wear,
but according to the Spirit,
we should wear garments of Light.
We're not always sure what we should do,
But according to God,
we should always seek good
for those around us.

(Thom Shuman)

Be ready. Advent is here.

It is time to wake up,

for salvation is nearer

than when we first believed.

I was glad when they said to me:

let us go to the house of the Lord.

For the Lord shall teach us loving ways

and we shall walk in paths of hope.

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

neither shall they learn war any more.

The joy of the coming Christ be with you all!

And also with you!

Prayers

Call to Reconciliation
We don't know when Jesus will return, and we are not to worry about it. But we do know when we do wrong, when we hurt people, when we disappoint God. But God will change our sins into acts of mercy, and our failures into faith. Join me as we pray to our God.

Unison Prayer of Confession
In this season of sales, shopping, and stress, God of Light, we confess how easy it is to slip off your paths. We can become so focused on having good times, we forget to take the time to do good for your people. We slip easily into Santa suits, but find Jesus Christ an uncomfortable fit for our lives. We find ourselves strangely jealous over the gifts others receive, yet have trouble accepting those gifts of peace and serenity you hand out so freely.

Forgive us, Breath of Salvation. By your mercy, we can once again walk the streets of your kingdom, being alert for the signs of your grace and hope in our midst. Teach us your ways of peace and reconciliation, that we may truly live as the disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
This is the good news: you will be swept away in the waters of mercy, salvation carrying you home to God's heart.
Peace, serenity, healing, hope - these gifts, and more, are ours in this Advent season of watching and waiting. Thanks be to God. Amen.

(Thom Shuman)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

God of light and life, you set before us today the challenges of laying aside
the works of darkness; of putting on the light of Christ; of being watchful
and prepared for your coming in our midst in the person of Jesus Christ.
As the people of God in this place we know that a crucial part of our
witness is in revealing Christ to the world through the way we love and care
for one another.
Forgive us if people do not see any evidence in us of the One who is
to come.
A time of silent confession
So many people, young and old, grope in the gloom of despair and suffering,
yearning for the light of hope to dawn in their lives.
Remind us that the light of Christ shines through people like us -
people who claim to follow him
Merciful God, cleanse our hearts and minds of all that hinders us from
loving you and loving our neighbor.
May our lives radiate faith active in love, as we watch and wait for your
breaking into our world once more in the person of Jesus Christ. Amen

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS:
Salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers: the night is
far gone, the day is near. That day of salvation is experienced as we lay aside
the works of darkness and put on the protection of the Light of the world -
Jesus Christ - in whom and through whom we are forgiven.
(based on Romans 13: 11b,12, 14a)
Thanks be to God!

Thematic

Intercessory

(Vanderbilt Theological Library)

Possible Hymns

“Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise”
“God of Grace and God of Glory”
“Jesus Shall Reign”
“Tell Out, My Soul, The Greatness of the Lord”
“Awake, Awake Fling Off the Night”
“Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve You”
“Christ Is the World’s True Light”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
“Emmanuel, Emmanuel”
“Hail To the Lord’s Anointed”
“I Want To Walk As A Child of the Light”
“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
“Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending”
“We Are Marching In the Light of God”
“Savior of the Nations, Come”
“Light the Advent Candle”

The Second Sunday of Advent

Scripture

Isaiah 11:1-10

This text articulates the human hope for justice and peace. This text expresses the promise of a Messiah who will establish peace on earth. God will reign; the peace promised is within that announcement. A new king will come in the line of David and all nature will live in harmony. The character of the new king will be shaped by “the spirit of God.” The text is a strong reminder, “If you want peace, work for justice.” “These lines simply present unqualified good news. Whether in this world and history or beyond, they cry joyfully that God wills—and one day will bring about—justice and peace for the world and all its living creatures.” (The New Interpreter’s Bible) The good news is the announcement God will establish justice and righteousness on earth and in history.

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

This Psalm is a prayer for the king. It may have been used at the installation of a new king. It is a prayer for Israel’s present life. We claim God’s promise of salvation as our Advent faith. God is working to bring in God’s kingdom.

Romans 15:4-13

Paul asserts that the scriptures written in former days were written for our instruction that we may have hope. Paul offers a prayer that there may be unity. He calls us to worship God with “one voice.” Just as we have been welcomed, we must welcome others. The gospel is proclaimed to the circumcised and the non circumcised. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” He refers to Christ, the Messiah as the “root of Jesse.”

Matthew 3:1-12

This second Sunday in Advent, we come face to face with John the Baptist. John was preaching and calling the people to repent. John announces the impending breaking in of the kingdom of God. John claims to be the forerunner. John dresses strangely and has a peculiar diet! Matthew tells us that people were flocking to John and John baptized his followers. John is not the promised Messiah; he points to one who is “mightier than John.”

Greetings/Calls to Worship

A voice cries out:

"In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight in the desert a highway for our God."

Tell the timid to take heart.

The Lord our God will come!

The season of Advent challenges us
to see God's vision of what is yet to be,
to hear God's voice calling anew,
to smell the scent of God in our world.

We gather in this comfortable place,
to prepare for a new day:
a day when the wolf and the lamb
will get an apartment together.
So prepare your hearts for the day
when peace will rule the earth:
when the leopard and the kid
will share a mat at naptime.
Prepare the way, the way
where old notions are overturned:
when the cow and bear will have coffee,
their children playing in the backyard.
Get ready! Prepare the way!

(Thom Shuman)

Prayers

Call to Reconciliation
We, who have stood in the refreshing waters of baptism, often forget our need to be cleansed.
We, who have heard the voice of love, often speak with anger and meanness to others. God
calls us to be wise enough to change our ways, so let us answer with our confessions, as we
pray together saying,

Unison Prayer of Confession
We long for you to come to us, Creator of Goodness. But too often, we do not seem to share your vision of how the world should be, or we are to live. You dream of resentful enemies sitting down together, but we feast on bitterness. You would have us sing with one voice, but we prefer to be soloists. You would have us serve others, but we sit quietly, expecting you to come and fill our every need.

Forgive us, Approaching God, and help us to turn to welcome you with open arms. May we prepare for your coming by opening our hearts to that healing hope and surprising mercy which is ours in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
This is God's word of acceptance and affirmation: we are forgiven, we are loved, we are called to be servants to all creation.
Forgiveness falls like a gentle shower upon us, sinking deep into our hearts and souls, so we might be nourished and nurtured as God's children. Thanks be to God. Amen.

(Thom Shuman)

Thematic

Intercessory

Possible Hymns

“O, Come, O Come Emmanuel”
“All Earth Is Waiting”
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
“Crown Him With Many Crowns”
“Hail To the Lord’s Anointed”
“Blest Be Tie”
“In Christ There Is No East Or West”
“Bind Us Together”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“O, Spirit of the Living God”
“When Jesus Came to Jordan”
“Lo, How A Rose ‘Er Blooming”
“People Look East”
“Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
“I Want To Walk As A Child of the Light”
“Light the Advent Candle”

The Third Sunday of Advent

Scripture

Isaiah 35:1-10

Today is a day for roses! “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus.” The lesson contains hope and offers the promise of salvation. No matter how far we have been taken or drifted from Zion, there is hope for us. What does the remnant hope for? They hope for the appearance of God bringing new salvation. What do we hope for? The new salvation that accompanies God's reappearance includes a remaking of the desert wasteland into a fertile oasis. A new highway will be built in the wilderness for a new exodus. If we read Isaiah 34, there is a message of destruction. Our lesson promises that God will raise new life. Clearly there is a message of hope in the midst of hopelessness. These reversals underscore how our present experience cannot be the final word on the character or reliability of God's salvation. Take encouragement and see whose weak hands need to be strengthened and whose feeble knees need to be made firm again.

Luke 1:46b-55

The response today is the song of praise from Mary -- the Magnificat. to the effects of the Lord's coming for all God's people. These words echo the promises to Israel through the generations and declare their fulfillment. The words of praise speak of God's redeeming work as already having been fulfilled. The words echo faith. The overthrow of the powerful comes through the coming of God in the weakness of a child.

James 5:7-10

“Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord.” Yea, right. Here we are some twelve days before Christmas and we are asking for patience. James offers much practical advice on religion. The patience that he demands is not only the result of a desire to do well. Rather, it is the result of a firm confidence in the Lord as the one who will make good on his promise to come in judgment. These verses reflect the character of life lived in confident anticipation of the fulfillment of divine promises. We have an altered point of view. We are called to interpret the present in terms of the Lord's future, which radically alters life-styles. Christians live as someone reading a mystery novel after having read the last chapter of the book first; knowing the outcome produces an informed reading of the book. In Christ, we know how the story will end and we can be patient and confident. This alters our relationships with our sisters and brothers.

Matthew 11:2-11

So John the Baptist is in prison and he sends word to Jesus: “"Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" Jesus doesn’t answer the question directly. He instructs them to go and tell John what they see and hear: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” The lectionary focuses on this passage during Advent because of the phrase "the one who is to come"; but notice that while the text has an element of future expectation, it also makes strong statements about the realization of hopes and expectations in the ministry of Jesus. Just maybe we are not asking for the right things. Instead of baubles, we can experience the dynamic ministry of Jesus – where eyes are opened, deaf hear, and lame walk. We have to be careful as the church. If we plan to have our people tell what they see and hear, we must make certain we are sharing Jesus Christ.

(The Reverend Samuel G. Candler, Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip, has a good and thought provoking sermon on this text. It is available at www.day1.org.

Greetings/Calls to Worship

Tell the timid to take heart.

The Lord our God will come!

(Traditional Monastic Liturgy)

Praise be to God!

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

who has visited and redeemed the people.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Strengthen the weak hands,

and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

'Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.'

Rejoice and put your trust in God, creator of heaven and earth,
whose faithfulness and justice extends through all time.
God compassionately lifts up those who are bowed down and
oppressed, imprisoned and hungry;
upholding the defenseless and casting down the oppressors.
Let us rejoice and praise God who will reign forever - for all generations.

Prayers

Thematic

Intercessory

(Vanderbilt Theological Library)

Call to Confession

In Today's gospel when the imprisoned John the Baptist queried whether
Jesus was the promised Messiah or not - Jesus replied by pointing John to the
transformation which was occurring in people's lives. How God's love for
the world was being revealed through the way Jesus touched people's lives
with healing, compassion, justice and love.

Let us pray: Merciful God: If we conceal your love because our pursuit of
other priorities prevents us from seeing and serving people in need :
forgive us.
If we conceal your compassion because of our prejudice and intolerance:
forgive us.
If we conceal your mercy because of hard and unforgiving attitudes:
forgive us.
If we conceal your truth through our lack of credible witness:
forgive us.
If we conceal your glory because all we reflect is our own self-centredness:
forgive us, O God.
silent confession
Merciful God, cleanse our lives of all shameful attitudes of mind and heart so
that your transforming power is revealed in and through all we do and say
and are. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Rejoice, then, as we hear these transforming words: "If anyone is in Christ,
there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has
become new! All this is from God to whom we have been reconciled through
Christ. Give thanks, therefore, as we receive forgiveness and healing in
Christ's name. Amen.

Possible Hymns

“Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”
“I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath”
“All Earth Is Waiting”
“There’s A Voice In the Wilderness”
“My Song Is Love Unknown”
“Song of Mary”
“My Soul Cries Out”
“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“O, Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
“Joy to the World”
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
“Lift Up Your Heads Ye Mighty Gates”
“People Look East”
“Once In Royal David’s City”
“Light the Advent Candle”

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Scripture

Isaiah 7:10-16

“If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all.” Our passage for today will be better understood if you back up and read the first nine verses of Isaiah 7. Judah’s neighbors have joined forces to fight against Assyria. Judah does not join the coalition. Ephraim and Syria laid siege to Jerusalem. God has promised that a king in the line of David will always rule and that God will be with Judah. So, those promises are looking pretty dark now. Our text is about divine signs of salvation during times of siege. The prophet tells the king to ask a sign of the Lord. The king refuses. So, Isaiah says the sign will be that a young woman will conceive a son and the son will be the sign of Immanuel – God with us. Isaiah gives a sign that affirms life in the midst of what appears to be certain death and destruction. He states that a young woman will actually give birth in the midst of this apparent death and starvation. The birth of the child is a sign that "God is with us." Recently, I had to be hospitalized with heart problems. As I was being admitted in the Emergency Room, I heard Brahms Lullaby playing. Inquiring why, I learned the hospital plays this every time a baby is born. (Triplets necessitated its being played three times in quick succession!) Throughout my stay in the hospital, I was cheered and comforted each time I heard the lullaby. In the midst of suffering and even death, God was still bringing new life into being.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

This Psalm is a communal or national lament in a time of stress. The Psalm provides a good conclusion to Advent and a transition to Christmas. Two images are present that we associate with Christmas: God enthroned in the temple and the shepherds. We wait with anticipation for the appearance of God at Christmas.

Romans 1:1-7

Our text is part of the salutation of Paul’s letter to the Romans. This a church Paul did not found and one he had not visited. The theme of the passage is “the gospel of God.” God’s gospel is the gospel of good news. Three things are highlighted. First, it is God’s gospel and it is given to us as a promise. Second, it was brought to fulfillment through God’s Son. And, third, it means the establishment of Jesus Christ as the Lord of the Christian community. Through him, we receive grace and a commission to service. While Paul does identify himself in these verses, they speak more of “the Gospel of God.” Be clear, the promise was God’s promise through the ages and God acted to fulfill the promise.

Matthew 1:18-25

“She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Here is the beginning of Matthew’s version of the birth of Jesus. We are dealing with an exceptional story! “With the story of Jesus' conception, Matthew clearly tells us that at a particular time, in a particular place, in a particular way, in the life of a particular person, God intervened in history in order to accomplish the salvation of humanity.” (Preaching the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A) Even Joseph has doubts about this. The angel assures Joseph of the situation and God's involvement in Mary's pregnancy. Joseph receives a crucial commission; he is to give the name Jesus to the child that Mary will bear. Joseph is given a job to do. For the ancient Jews a name was an expression of one's fundamental nature. To name the child Jesus is to state that he achieves the salvation that Israel anticipated from God; to call the baby Jesus is to say that this Spirit-born baby is the one who "will save his people from their sins" (1:22).Matthew is saying that Jesus saves us by being God with us.

Greetings/Calls to Worship

The Lord himself will give you a sign.

Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. -- Isaiah 7:14
God with us, we celebrate your coming.
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

We gather, for it is time to prepare:
angels are about to burst forth into song,
singing of the peace and hope we need.
We gather, with expectation our guest:
for joy is inviting us to join in the dance
of the shepherds around the night fire.
We gather, eager to begin the celebration:
people, longing to reach Bethlehem;
people, eager to kneel at the manger;
people, ready to cradle the Babe;
people, hoping to be made whole.

(Thom Shuman)

Look!

A Virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son,

and his name shall be called Emmanuel;

which means, God-with-us.

It’s almost time.

Emmanuel, God is with us!

Hallelujah!

Prayers

Call to Reconciliation
In our brokenness, we will find no healing until we turn to the Peace who comes to us. In our emptiness, we will find no hope until we turn to the Grace who comes to feed us with forgiveness. Let us speak those words which are so hard to say, so we may hear the whispers of God's mercy.

Unison Prayer of Confession

With the songs of the angels in our ears,
we cannot hear the way we speak
words of hurt and anger to others;
looking for the shepherds to arrive,
we do not see the homeless family
by the side of the road;.
waiting to sit down at a fine feast,
we ignore those whose bread is their fear,
whose cup is filled with their lost dreams.

Come to us, Promised Sign of restoration:
come to open our eyes;
come to us, Child of compassion:
come to melt our hearts with your tears;
come to us, Servant of the poor,
come to lead us to serve the lost.
O come, o come, Immanuel:
to forgive us, to heal us, so all that was promised
might be fulfilled for us.

Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon
Dear children of God: do not be afraid. The promise given long ago has been kept once and for all in the birth at Bethlehem. Rejoice, rejoice, for Christ has come for you.
Grace and peace are the gift God has given to us, not only on this day, not only in this season, but in all the moments to come. Thanks be to God! Amen.

(Thom Shuman)

Thematic

O God of Elizabeth and Mary,
you visited your servants with news of the world's redemption
in the coming of the Savior.
Make our hearts leap with joy,
and fill our mouths with songs of praise,
that we may announce glad tidings of peace,
and welcome the Christ in our midst. Amen.

Intercessory

Brothers and sisters,
as we joyfully await the glorious coming of the Christ,
let us pray for the needs of the church, our community, and the world.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

God of promise,
you have given us a sign of your love
through the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior,
who was promised from ages past.
We believe as Joseph did
the message of your presence
whispered by an angel,
and offer our prayers for your world,
confident of your care and mercy for all creation. Amen.

Possible Hymns

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
“Joy to the World”
“O, Come, O Come Emmanuel”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“Good Christian Friends Rejoice”
“What Child Is This?”
“Lo, How A Rose ‘Er Blooming”
“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”
“Away In A Manger”
“Once in Royal David’s City
“Angels from the Realms of Glory”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
“Lift Up Your Heads”
“O Come, All Ye Faithful
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”
“Of The Father’s Love Begotten”
“Light the Advent Candle”

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Introduction

Just another Sunday? Maybe you know the famous sermon, Its Friday, but Sundays coming! That is a great message of hope for Good Friday but a frightening prospect for busy pastors. Because of pastoral and administrative duties, worship planning may slip by the way side.

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