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Call to Worship (based on Psalm 80)

L: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
P: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
L: O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
P: Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
L: Come, let us worship the LORD!

 

Call to Worship (simple)

Lift up your heads, O gates!
   and be lifted up, O ancient doors
   that the King of Glory may come in.

Call to Worship (responsively)

Leader: Christ, God’s gift to the world, shall come:

People: For those who feel despair will know hope.

Leader: For those who are oppressed will know freedom

People: For those who are lonely will know love.

Leader: For those who are suffering will know inner peace.

People: O Christ, Lord of the world, your time is now!

All: Fill our hearts with joy!

Prayer of Confession
(from the Roman tradition)

Glory to You, our God, glory to You.

Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth,
present everywhere and filling all things,
the treasury of good and giver of life,
come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every impurity,
and save our souls, Gracious One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit;
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

All-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
Lord, be merciful to our sins.
Master, forgive our transgressions.
Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit;
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

 

Prayer based on the Lections
by Rev. F. Schaefer

   God of Grace and Mercy, as we enter the season of Advent we are reminded by the prophet Isaiah that you have promised to be the God of our future.    In these days of war and rumors of war, we exceedingly thank you for your promise to restore peace and justice in all the earth.

   We thank you for the words of St. Paul who calls us to a life of holiness before you in preparation of your promise - the return of your Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We wait with confidence. We trust in your mercy.

   God of Grace and Mercy, help us to escape the disasters that Jesus predicts; help us to watch and wait. By your Holy Spirit help us to live a holy life before you, at watch and at peace, knowing that His return could be even today. My we live as those who eagerly await your promise of redemption, as those who anticipate and help usher in your kingdom of justice and peace.  Through Jesus our Christ and Redeemer. Amen.

 

Lighting The First Candle Of The Advent Wreath

General Introduction (repeated each week or not as desired) Our Advent Wreath reminds us of the approaching celebration of Jesus' birth
* the evergreen leaves remind us that God's love is everlasting
* the round wreath symbolizes God's eternal love
* the light of the candles stands for the light which Jesus brought into a dark world.
Each Sunday in Advent another of the candles in the circle is lit. The Christ candle is lit at midnight on Christmas Eve (or on Christmas Day if no Christmas Eve service).

 

Responsive Reading:

Today we enter Advent, a season of possibilities, a time of "not yet." But daily lives reflect human struggles. Sometimes we are surrounded by brokenness--in our lives, among our friends and families, in our worldwide family. Hope seems a far-off vision; yet we yearn for it to fill us. We cry together.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

When hope is lost,

Restore us, o God.

When people are hurting,

Restore us, O God.

When nations are fighting, (bold)Restore us, O God. When children are hungry,

Restore us, O God.

Restore us, God of Life. Bring us closer to hope, the hope that lights the way on the journey to Bethlehem. During this season of waiting may we be open to signs of your restoring love. As we light this first Advent Candle, let us pray for God's restoration in the midst of brokenness and despair.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Amen.