First Sunday In Advent
Worship
More Services for the Advent Wreath
For Lectionary Cycle A
(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.)
Blessed is the man who hopes in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Scripture
Reader B: With hope, listen to the psalmist as he calls us to rejoice and pray for peace:
Reader A: I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.
That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.
There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."
For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
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 hears our prayers and responds in love.
(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, our only hope is in you as we pray in this war-torn world. May we continue to rejoice in your love as we come to worship. 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.)
Blessed is the man who hopes in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Scripture
Reader B: With hope, listen to the psalmist as he calls us to rejoice and pray for peace:
Reader A: I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.
That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.
There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."
For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."
For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.
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 hears our prayers and responds in love.
(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, our only hope is in you as we pray in this war-torn world. May we continue to rejoice in your love as we come to worship. Amen.
Introit
(As the introit is being sung again, the readers may be seated.)
