FIRST SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Wait expectantly for our Lord Jesus Christ to reveal himself. He
will keep you firm to the end, without reproach on the Day of our
Lord Jesus. It is God in person, who called you to share in the
life of the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and God keeps faith.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of many names, by what name shall we call you? Our question
rises out of some confusion, not only about who you are, but
about who we are, for you have declared yourself to be our kin,
One who has ransomed us. In some ways you are like a permissive
parent, who allows us enough room to get ourselves into trouble
when we follow undisciplined instincts. Too often we are more
like people who claim no affinity to you than like a people who
bear your name. Forgive our tendency to slough off responsibility
for our decision. Excuse the incompleteness of many of our
confessions. We trust you still because of Jesus Christ, your
Son. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God has given you grace and peace in Christ
Jesus, and enriched you with many good gifts. Friends, believe
the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Be alert and watchful, for no one knows when the Son of Man will
come with great power and glory. Do not neglect to finish the
work he has given you to do.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Divine Timekeeper, keep us alert by the chimes of the times that
whether Christ comes again, at dawn or high noon, in the evening
or at midnight, we will be ready to welcome his return, enabled
by the Spirit to show that our house is in order and that we are
honored by his coming. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of grace, Child of peace, Spirit of truth, we join with all
the members of the church everywhere in the world in giving
thanks for all the gifts you have given to enrich the whole
church. Though each of us do not have all
gifts, there is no needful gift lacking to your church through
the talents you have distributed among us. In Jesus Christ you
have given us life and truth, grace and peace. Through days of
persecution and days of plenty, you have sustained the church and
kept it firm in expectation of the return of the Lord, Jesus
Christ. Your favor is unmerited. Your peace is undeserved.
Your truth is beyond our comprehension. We celebrate your
generosity, in Jesus Christ. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Lord of the church, you are not enriched by our gifts but enable
us to share our talents for the enrichment of the whole
congregation, young and old and middle aged. We present
ourselves to be useful to each other and to you. Amen.
* PSALM 80:1-7,17-19
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim,
shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O LORD God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Wait expectantly for our Lord Jesus Christ to reveal himself. He
will keep you firm to the end, without reproach on the Day of our
Lord Jesus. It is God in person, who called you to share in the
life of the Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; and God keeps faith.
* PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of many names, by what name shall we call you? Our question
rises out of some confusion, not only about who you are, but
about who we are, for you have declared yourself to be our kin,
One who has ransomed us. In some ways you are like a permissive
parent, who allows us enough room to get ourselves into trouble
when we follow undisciplined instincts. Too often we are more
like people who claim no affinity to you than like a people who
bear your name. Forgive our tendency to slough off responsibility
for our decision. Excuse the incompleteness of many of our
confessions. We trust you still because of Jesus Christ, your
Son. Amen.
* DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! God has given you grace and peace in Christ
Jesus, and enriched you with many good gifts. Friends, believe
the Good News. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
* EXHORTATION
Be alert and watchful, for no one knows when the Son of Man will
come with great power and glory. Do not neglect to finish the
work he has given you to do.
* PRAYER OF THE DAY
Divine Timekeeper, keep us alert by the chimes of the times that
whether Christ comes again, at dawn or high noon, in the evening
or at midnight, we will be ready to welcome his return, enabled
by the Spirit to show that our house is in order and that we are
honored by his coming. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of grace, Child of peace, Spirit of truth, we join with all
the members of the church everywhere in the world in giving
thanks for all the gifts you have given to enrich the whole
church. Though each of us do not have all
gifts, there is no needful gift lacking to your church through
the talents you have distributed among us. In Jesus Christ you
have given us life and truth, grace and peace. Through days of
persecution and days of plenty, you have sustained the church and
kept it firm in expectation of the return of the Lord, Jesus
Christ. Your favor is unmerited. Your peace is undeserved.
Your truth is beyond our comprehension. We celebrate your
generosity, in Jesus Christ. Amen.
* PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Lord of the church, you are not enriched by our gifts but enable
us to share our talents for the enrichment of the whole
congregation, young and old and middle aged. We present
ourselves to be useful to each other and to you. Amen.
* PSALM 80:1-7,17-19
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock!
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim,
shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.
Stir up your might,
and come to save us!
Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
O LORD God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
our enemies laugh among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved.
