Fourth Sunday In Advent
Worship
More Services for the Advent Wreath
For Lectionary Cycle A
Object:
(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.)
The Lord our God is with us and is mighty to save us.
God will take great delight in us and will quiet us in love.
God will rejoice over us with singing.
Scripture
Reader B: Listen to this Matthew narrative of the angel's visit to Joseph in a dream:
Reader A: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Lighting Of The Four Advent Candles
Reader B: On this fourth Sunday in Advent, along with the candles of hope, peace, and joy, we now light the candle of love. We are loved by God, and that love is proved through the sending of Jesus Christ.
(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 all four candles on the wreath. DO NOT light the center candle. Extinguish the small candle and return it to the back of the wreath.)
Prayer
Reader B: Let us pray:
Almighty God, your love for us is expressed in so many ways. The greatest expression of that love is through your Son, Jesus. We praise you for your great love for us. Amen.
Introit
(As the introit is being sung again, the readers may be seated.)
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.)
The Lord our God is with us and is mighty to save us.
God will take great delight in us and will quiet us in love.
God will rejoice over us with singing.
Scripture
Reader B: Listen to this Matthew narrative of the angel's visit to Joseph in a dream:
Reader A: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" -- which means, "God with us."
When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
Lighting Of The Four Advent Candles
Reader B: On this fourth Sunday in Advent, along with the candles of hope, peace, and joy, we now light the candle of love. We are loved by God, and that love is proved through the sending of Jesus Christ.
(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 all four candles on the wreath. DO NOT light the center candle. Extinguish the small candle and return it to the back of the wreath.)
Prayer
Reader B: Let us pray:
Almighty God, your love for us is expressed in so many ways. The greatest expression of that love is through your Son, Jesus. We praise you for your great love for us. Amen.
Introit
(As the introit is being sung again, the readers may be seated.)
