Sermonstudio

First Sunday In Advent

For 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

(Distribute this sheet to the readers.)

Date:
Reader A:
Reader B:

Introit
(As the introit is being sung, Readers A and B come forward and stand by the Advent wreath until the music is finished.)

Litany
Reader A:
Please turn to the Advent litany in your bulletins.
(Pause as they do so.)
Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

Scripture
Reader B:
Listen with hope as Paul exhorts God's blessings on the people at the Thessalonian church:
Reader A:
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Lighting Of The First Advent Candle
Reader B:
The first candle we light this Advent season is the candle of hope.
Our hope is in God who is merciful and gracious.
(While Reader B is reading, Reader A uses the small candle at the back of the wreath to take the light from the altar candle and transfer it to the front candle. Extinguish the small candle and return it to the back of the wreath.)

Prayer
Reader B:
Let us pray:
Almighty God, with hope, we pray that you will clear the way for us as well. May your love for us increase our love for each other. Strengthen us in our hope as we look forward to your coming. Amen.

Introit
(As the introit is being sung again, the readers may be seated.)