Introduction
The Family assigned to light the ADVENT CANDLE assembles in the front seat on ‘Candle’ Side.
The Cantor sings the Verse:
The Choir leads the Assembly in singing the Response.
When the Ministers are ready to begin the Procession the CM says: Please STAND.
C The Spirit and the Church cry out:
All Come, Lord Jesus!
C All those who await his coming pray:
All Come, Lord Jesus!
C The whole creation pleads:
All Come, Lord Jesus!
[pause]
CM On this, the First Sunday of Advent, as we await Christ’s coming, let us sing our Gathering Hymn.
The Ministers begin the procession.
Presider kisses the altar.
He may go to his Chair – as usual – or he may decide to stand behind the Wreath.
Sanctuary Assistants with clear Book and microphone are in attendance.
Other Ministers proceed to usual places.
Sign of the Cross
Greeting & Introduction
P
Blessed be the Lord Jesus who is, who was, and who is to come!
May he find you prepared for his coming and may his grace be with you!
All And with your spirit.
My brothers and sisters,
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory,
let us pray that God will make us witnesses of Christ,
who became one of us
to bring salvation to all. [pause]
Blessing of Wreath
P
Lord God, our Source of hope,
you gather all nations in your kingdom of light and peace.
On this day when we celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin and death,
we look forward to his return
when we will share the vision of your glory.
Lord, bless your people +
who look upon this WREATH
as the evergreen sign of your faithful love.
Dispel the darkness of sin,
that the light and joy of Jesus may shine in this waiting world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Assigned family ascends the Sanctuary and lights one Advent Candle.
At the appropriate time the Presider says:
As we light this Advent wreath,
let us pray that it be a reminder of God’s promises,
especially to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.
Let God’s word guide our feet on the road of peace.
This next section may be omitted because of Blessing Rite – as on Passion Sunday et al.
Introduction and Litany of Praise
P Today, the Readings urge us to be vigilant as we look forward to the second coming of Christ when God’s promises will be fulfilled.
Lord Jesus, you warn us to be prepared
because you are coming at a time we least expect:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, it is now the hour for us to awake from sleep,
for the night of sin is over and the day draws near:
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, we must cast off the deeds of darkness,
and live honorably as in the daylight:
Lord, have mercy.
Opening Prayer
A
God of majesty and power,
unknown is the day and unexpected the hour
when Christ at last will come.
Rouse your household from its sleep and keep it watchful.
Hasten the advent of that day
when the sounds of war will be for ever stilled,
the darkness of evil scattered,
and all your children gathered into one.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near,
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.
B
Merciful and faithful God,
you sent your only-begotten Son,
the teacher of truth and the font of reconciliation,
to gather the warring nations of earth
into the peace of your everlasting reign.
Stir up within us the spirit of joyful expectation,
that, leaving behind the darkness of night,
we may run to greet your day as it draws near,
and gladly welcome your Christ
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
P As we enter the season of Advent we pray to God that we can avail ourselves of the opportunity for a new beginning in grace.
CM Our response is: Lord, hear us in your love.
- That Church leaders may see the Advent Season as an ‘acceptable time of salvation’ and invite all peoples to join in the great pilgrimage to the house of the Father….. we pray:
- That those who still live under the power of darkness may see light and abandon a life marked by drunkenness, sexual excess, quarreling or jealousy, we pray:
- Let us pray that Isaiah’s vision will come true in our lifetime: that nation will not lift up the sword against nation; that there will be no more training for war….. we pray:
- That all the nations of the world will spend less on armaments and more on ways and means to provide better housing, food, education, health services especially among the impoverished peoples of the world….. we pray:
[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]
P God of love and mercy, listen to our prayers. May your Son at his coming dispel the darkness of our hearts, and enable us to live as children of the light. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the Gifts
Grant, O Lord, that the gifts we present
may be pleasing in your eyes.
Make us watchful
and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son our Lord;
that, when he shall appear,
he may find us active in his service
and joyful in his praise.
We ask this in the name of the same Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer
Now is the time of our salvation. (pause)
Let us prepare for the coming of the reign of God
as we pray in the words that Jesus gave us.
Deliver us Lord
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil
that separates us from you.
Despite the tensions of our day,
keep us free from fear.
Wake us up from our indifference
and keep alive in us the hope
that we will be ready for the final coming
of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer for Peace
Isaiah said:
‘Nation will not lift sword against nation,
and there will be no more war or training for war.’
Lord, grant that the world may turn away from violence
and terrorism and war,
so that all of God’s children
may enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
Exchange of Peace
Blessed are the peacemakers:
they shall be called children of God.
We meet in the name of Christ and share his peace.
Optional Prayer to accompany the Breaking of Bread
P
As we break the bread of life
in a sharing of communion in the Lord,
we remember the promise of Jesus:
“See, I am coming soon.” (Rev. 22.7)
And let us pray:
A “Maran-atha! Come, Lord Jesus!” (1 Cor. 16:22)
Invitation to Communion
Behold our Master
who bids us to stay alert and prepare for his return in glory.
Blessed are we who are invited to his banquet.
Lord, I am not worthy….
Prayer after Communion
Lord God,
you have satisfied our hunger with the one bread
that sustains the human heart;
give us the strength to overcome the scourge of violence and war
and to safeguard your law of truth and justice.
Keep alive in us the hope that guides us on our pilgrim way.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Blessing
May God make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope,
and untiring in love all the days of your life. AMEN.
You believe that the Son of God once lived among us;
you look for him to come again. AMEN.
When Jesus comes in glory,
may he reward you with endless life. AMEN.
And may almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Dismissal
A
Brothers and sisters:
let us lay aside the works of darkness
and march toward the light of the Day of Christ.
B
Go forth in peace to prepare the way of the Lord.
Contemporary Liturgy 