Fourth Adv1st Advent
Prayers for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

     Call to Worship (based on Psalm 80)

L: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!
P: You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth before Israel.
     Stir up your might, and come to save us!
L: Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see;
P: Have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted.
L: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

 

Call to Worship
    from the Canticle of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior
The arm of the Lord is strong!
God has cast down the mighty from their thrones and lifted up the lowly.
God has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.
God has come to the aid of God's people Israel.
Let us worship the Lord!

Prayer based on all Lections
by Rev. F. Schaefer

God of Grace and Surprise, today we embrace the miracle of the incarnation of your only begotten Son. We stand in awe and wonder of your plan of salvation which confounds the wisdom of this world. Thank you for fulfilling your promise given by the prophets of old--the sign of reconciliation in and through Jesus, our Lord. 

Help us to recognize the incarnation of your grace especially with those who suffer, those who are impoverished and victimized.  Enable us to stand in solidarity with the least of our brothers and sisters in Christ, so that the world will see in us the good news of Emmanuel, God-with-us, in whose very name we pray. Amen.

 

A Closing Christmas Prayer
by Laurence Hull Stookey

Eternal God,
by the birth of Jesus Christ you gave yourself to the world.
Grant that , being born in our hearts,
he may save us from all our sins,
and restore within us the image and likeness of our Creator,
to whom be everlasting praise and glory,
world without end.  Amen.