FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
Beloved of God and called to holiness, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Seek the face of God, for God is with us.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God ahead of us, God behind us, God with us, forgive our lack of expectation as we come to your house. We overlook many signs of your presence, or take them for granted, and are not inspired to look for further signs of your coming. Having sometimes ignored our calling to holiness, we have not been candid about our sin and need for grace. Surprise us with twinges of conscience that will make our confessions more honest and our forgiveness, genuine peace, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Mary has conceived a child by the Holy Spirit and he is to be named Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Ascend the mountain of the Lord, and stand in his holy place with heart and hands that have been cleansed. Descend again to spread the Good News that God's Son, a descendent of David, humanly speaking, receives both Jews and Gentiles who believe in him.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, grant us such humble faith that we may do what you direct, whatever the consequence, knowing that your intentions are always loving, though not accomplished without misunderstanding and grief, for the sake of your kingdom. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
King of Glory, Prince of Peace, glorious and peaceful Spirit, we rejoice with the wise and with seekers in every nation who have sought your face andfound you near. We thank you for the true promise of the prophets, for the faithful naming of Jesus of David's line, Emmanuel, Divine Savior, Son of David, Son of God, Son of Mary. With angels and apostles, with prophets and priests, with young and old, with people of all nations, we rejoice that Emmanuel has been glorified by resurrection from the dead. We have received this ineffable blessing from you. Alleluia. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
The fullness of the earth and the seas is yours, Creator of All things, personal and impersonal. Receive us with our gifts for we are also yours. Sanctify us and our gifts in your service, that the name of Jesus may be honored. 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.
Beloved of God and called to holiness, grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Seek the face of God, for God is with us.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God ahead of us, God behind us, God with us, forgive our lack of expectation as we come to your house. We overlook many signs of your presence, or take them for granted, and are not inspired to look for further signs of your coming. Having sometimes ignored our calling to holiness, we have not been candid about our sin and need for grace. Surprise us with twinges of conscience that will make our confessions more honest and our forgiveness, genuine peace, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Mary has conceived a child by the Holy Spirit and he is to be named Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Ascend the mountain of the Lord, and stand in his holy place with heart and hands that have been cleansed. Descend again to spread the Good News that God's Son, a descendent of David, humanly speaking, receives both Jews and Gentiles who believe in him.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, grant us such humble faith that we may do what you direct, whatever the consequence, knowing that your intentions are always loving, though not accomplished without misunderstanding and grief, for the sake of your kingdom. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
King of Glory, Prince of Peace, glorious and peaceful Spirit, we rejoice with the wise and with seekers in every nation who have sought your face andfound you near. We thank you for the true promise of the prophets, for the faithful naming of Jesus of David's line, Emmanuel, Divine Savior, Son of David, Son of God, Son of Mary. With angels and apostles, with prophets and priests, with young and old, with people of all nations, we rejoice that Emmanuel has been glorified by resurrection from the dead. We have received this ineffable blessing from you. Alleluia. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
The fullness of the earth and the seas is yours, Creator of All things, personal and impersonal. Receive us with our gifts for we are also yours. Sanctify us and our gifts in your service, that the name of Jesus may be honored. 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.
