First Sunday of Advent
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series VII, Cycle A
First Lesson: Isaiah 2:1-5
Theme: Swords Into Plowshares
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 2:1-5)
One: The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
All: In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.
Men: Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Women: He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
All: O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Collect (based on Psalm 122)
Lord, we are glad to have been called to your house. Let us pray for the peace of your people, here and around the world. May all prosper who love you. May your bounty touch those who have not yet heard. Come, Lord Jesus, here in this place. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we long for your justice. Despite some risks, some beat their plowshares into swords and their pruning hooks into spears, around the world and in our midst. Challenge us to join them. Heal your people, Lord. As we accept your forgiveness we will strive to forgive others. These things we pray in your mighty name. Amen.
Hymns
"Here In This Place"
"Savior Of The Nations, Come"
"Christ Is The World's True Light"
* * * * *
Second Lesson: Romans 13:11-14
Theme: We See Jesus
Call To Worship (Psalm 122:8-9)
Men: For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, "Peace be within you."
Women: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
Collect
Lord, we acknowledge your call to us. The night is far gone. The day is at hand. You shine your light on the words of the prophets, and we see Jesus. You call us to be ready, and our spiritual bags are packed. With your Spirit as our guide we will set our hearts and our minds on the mountain of the Lord, anxious to learn your ways and to walk in your paths. Even now our swords are waiting to be beaten into plowshares. All is ready. Now we wait for your will to be revealed to us this Advent season. Let all mortal flesh keep silence. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we confess that we sometimes hold a grievance against another, even within our fellowship. We nurse grudges; we remember sins. Yet in your word you tell us, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). Today we begin anew the cycle of your church, we confess our own sins and ask for your help in forgiving as we have been forgiven, looking to the new life in Christ which we celebrate in this season of Advent. These things we pray in humility and hope. Amen.
Hymns
"Revive Us Again"
"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
"Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People"
* * * * *
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 24:36-44
Theme: Are You Ready?
Call To Worship
Always be ready! Always have your bags packed. Always believe the call of God is moments away. Always remember God is calling, calling to all, always.
Collect
Lord, we know not the hour of your coming, but we know in this hour, where two and more are gathered in your name, you dwell in our midst. We do not seek the key to your timetable. In our worship today we seek to redeem the time. Move in our midst today. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, from our midst you will call your people. Claim us as your own as we confess our unworthiness and beg for your boundless grace. Salvation lies in you. Let it be found among us. Amen.
Hymns
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
"Sleepers, Wake!"
"I Know Whom I Have Believed"
Theme: Swords Into Plowshares
Call To Worship (based on Isaiah 2:1-5)
One: The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
All: In days to come the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it.
Men: Many peoples shall come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Women: He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
All: O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Collect (based on Psalm 122)
Lord, we are glad to have been called to your house. Let us pray for the peace of your people, here and around the world. May all prosper who love you. May your bounty touch those who have not yet heard. Come, Lord Jesus, here in this place. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we long for your justice. Despite some risks, some beat their plowshares into swords and their pruning hooks into spears, around the world and in our midst. Challenge us to join them. Heal your people, Lord. As we accept your forgiveness we will strive to forgive others. These things we pray in your mighty name. Amen.
Hymns
"Here In This Place"
"Savior Of The Nations, Come"
"Christ Is The World's True Light"
* * * * *
Second Lesson: Romans 13:11-14
Theme: We See Jesus
Call To Worship (Psalm 122:8-9)
Men: For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say, "Peace be within you."
Women: For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
Collect
Lord, we acknowledge your call to us. The night is far gone. The day is at hand. You shine your light on the words of the prophets, and we see Jesus. You call us to be ready, and our spiritual bags are packed. With your Spirit as our guide we will set our hearts and our minds on the mountain of the Lord, anxious to learn your ways and to walk in your paths. Even now our swords are waiting to be beaten into plowshares. All is ready. Now we wait for your will to be revealed to us this Advent season. Let all mortal flesh keep silence. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, we confess that we sometimes hold a grievance against another, even within our fellowship. We nurse grudges; we remember sins. Yet in your word you tell us, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). Today we begin anew the cycle of your church, we confess our own sins and ask for your help in forgiving as we have been forgiven, looking to the new life in Christ which we celebrate in this season of Advent. These things we pray in humility and hope. Amen.
Hymns
"Revive Us Again"
"Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence"
"Comfort, Comfort, Ye My People"
* * * * *
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 24:36-44
Theme: Are You Ready?
Call To Worship
Always be ready! Always have your bags packed. Always believe the call of God is moments away. Always remember God is calling, calling to all, always.
Collect
Lord, we know not the hour of your coming, but we know in this hour, where two and more are gathered in your name, you dwell in our midst. We do not seek the key to your timetable. In our worship today we seek to redeem the time. Move in our midst today. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, from our midst you will call your people. Claim us as your own as we confess our unworthiness and beg for your boundless grace. Salvation lies in you. Let it be found among us. Amen.
Hymns
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
"Sleepers, Wake!"
"I Know Whom I Have Believed"
