Opening Prayer Lord Jesus we wait for your coming again! Enlarge our hearts in the waiting and may your word be true in us that says, ‘the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.’ Amen -A2J Community (silent reflection) Prayer of the Bible How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. -Isaiah 52: 7-9 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of Sin Dear Savior, haste! Come, come to earth. Dispel the night and show your face, and bid us hail the dawn of grace. O Christ, whom nations sigh for, Whom priest and prophet long foretold, Come, break the captive's fetters, Redeem the long-lost fold. Hymn: O Come Divine Messiah (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Coming of Jesus For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, -John 3:16-20 (Think deeply on the life of Jesus) Prayers for Ourselves and Others O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me. -Psalm 22:19 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing Prayer Unexpected God, Your advent alarms us. Wake us from drowsy worship, from the sleep that neglects love, and the sedative of misdirected frenzy. Awaken us now to your coming, and bend our angers into your peace. Amen. –Revised Common Lectionary |