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Advent (in preparation for the service)

Advent is a season of waiting. During Advent, we are waiting for something to come into the world, something to be born for us and in us. It is an expectant waiting, and it it requires not will, but willingness -- a willingness to receive the new, the unexpected. It requires a decision to be open to the ways God will be at work in our lives. This season is an advent-ure and we have a part to play -- waiting, opening, staying watchful. Something new is coming. Consider that Christmas will be a time of giving and receiving. God has a wonderful gift for you. Prepare to receive it.

 

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 85)

L: LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
P: You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin.
L: Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
P: Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
L: The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him, and will makea path for his steps.

 

Call To Worship

L:  How shall we prepare this house for the coming King?

P:  With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty.

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

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

L:  How shall we prepare our hearts for the coming of the
     Christ?

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

L:  For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn
     the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

All:  Glory to God in the Highest!

 

Prayer of Confession

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wickedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.
 

 

Prayer based on the Lections

   God of justice and God of mercy, on this second Sunday of Advent we await the glorious return of your Anointed One.  We also anticipate with great joy the celebration of His coming in the flesh at Bethlehem.

We wait with confidence. We trust in your mercy, because you have promised us through your prophet Isaiah a kingdom under the righteous rule of your Messiah, Jesus our Lord.  Yours will be a Kingdom of justice, peace, and compassion.  A world without strife, wars, hunger, and pain.  While we joyfully await your Kingdom, prepare our hearts and minds for your purposes here on earth.  

In John the Baptist, you are sending us a messenger of light into a darkened world; may we be able to prepare the way for Christ into the hearts of the people in our neighborhood, community, nation, and world.

God of all nations, races, confessions, and cultures; in Christ you became one with us in our humanity. Enable us to live as grace-filled people, spreading the good news wherever we go in Jesus name. Amen.

 

Lighting The Second Candle Of The Advent Wreath

General Introduction (may be repeated each week):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 for 2nd Advent:

L: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ the Way.

P:  May the Word sent from God through the prophets
     lead us to the way of salvation.

L:  May the Love of Christ fill our hearts and minds;

P:  May we be found faithful to His commission on the Day
      of our Lord's glorious return.

Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel, or other Advent hymn