Advent 3
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids, Cradled in God's Heart
Series VIII, Cycle A
Object:
Call To Worship
One: Be patient!
the time is coming
when we will celebrate the birth of Christ,
All: when we will sing and rejoice,
dancing with everlasting joy.
One: But for now,
let us wait in this season of Advent,
All: when God speaks in dreams and visions,
when we are invited to dance into the kingdom.
One: For this is Advent,
when all the world rejoices in its creator,
All: when those who limp learn new dance steps,
when the speechless burst forth with
joy to the world!
Prayer Of The Day
God,
using the unnoticed,
you accomplish the unexpected
for an uncaring world;
with the bread of life,
you restore the brokenness
of your creation;
letting go of your Child,
you fill our emptiness
with grace beyond measure.
Ever-new, always scarred, Jesus Christ,
in you, those silenced by the world
hear the whispers of angels
bringing good news;
in you, those shoved to the side
lead the race into the kingdom;
in you, those who grope in darkness
are firmly clasped by your love.
Advent's Spirit,
you fill the voiceless with the promises of your word;
you lead us out of exile,
placing God's beloved kin on the holy way to freedom,
not letting a single one of us lose our way.
God in Community, Holy in One,
hear us as we lift the prayer Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father ...
Call To Reconciliation
In this holiest of seasons, we can become so cynical: to doubt, to wonder, to question. In this time of bright lights and celebration, we can be blinded to the need around us. It is easy to grumble about what we do not have, rather than hearing the songs of children. Let us confess how we lose our way during this time, so that God will forgive us and put us back on the holy way.
Unison Prayer Of Confession
God of hopes and joys, because it is easy for us to forget what you have done for us in the birth of Jesus, we can step off your path and wander the streets of the world. Our indifference keeps us from seeing those overlooked by our culture. Our fear keeps us from reaching out for your future. Our grumbling silences the angel speaking to us of your coming toward us.
Forgive us, God of Advent. Fill our emptiness with the everlasting joy of your grace. Blow away our arrogant attitudes with your Spirit of compassion. Embolden our hearts with the courage of your Child, Jesus Christ, who became one of us so we might be your redeemed forever.
Silence is kept
Assurance Of Pardon
One: Be strong, do not fear! Our God is here! Your eyes will be opened to see God's salvation coming to you.
All: Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior, who has called us blessed. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Blessing
One: Go into the world,
to see the kingdom which is in your midst,
All: to hear the joy breaking forth in our lives;
to bear the good news to everyone we meet.
One: Be patient!
the time is coming
when we will celebrate the birth of Christ,
All: when we will sing and rejoice,
dancing with everlasting joy.
One: But for now,
let us wait in this season of Advent,
All: when God speaks in dreams and visions,
when we are invited to dance into the kingdom.
One: For this is Advent,
when all the world rejoices in its creator,
All: when those who limp learn new dance steps,
when the speechless burst forth with
joy to the world!
Prayer Of The Day
God,
using the unnoticed,
you accomplish the unexpected
for an uncaring world;
with the bread of life,
you restore the brokenness
of your creation;
letting go of your Child,
you fill our emptiness
with grace beyond measure.
Ever-new, always scarred, Jesus Christ,
in you, those silenced by the world
hear the whispers of angels
bringing good news;
in you, those shoved to the side
lead the race into the kingdom;
in you, those who grope in darkness
are firmly clasped by your love.
Advent's Spirit,
you fill the voiceless with the promises of your word;
you lead us out of exile,
placing God's beloved kin on the holy way to freedom,
not letting a single one of us lose our way.
God in Community, Holy in One,
hear us as we lift the prayer Jesus has taught us, saying,
Our Father ...
Call To Reconciliation
In this holiest of seasons, we can become so cynical: to doubt, to wonder, to question. In this time of bright lights and celebration, we can be blinded to the need around us. It is easy to grumble about what we do not have, rather than hearing the songs of children. Let us confess how we lose our way during this time, so that God will forgive us and put us back on the holy way.
Unison Prayer Of Confession
God of hopes and joys, because it is easy for us to forget what you have done for us in the birth of Jesus, we can step off your path and wander the streets of the world. Our indifference keeps us from seeing those overlooked by our culture. Our fear keeps us from reaching out for your future. Our grumbling silences the angel speaking to us of your coming toward us.
Forgive us, God of Advent. Fill our emptiness with the everlasting joy of your grace. Blow away our arrogant attitudes with your Spirit of compassion. Embolden our hearts with the courage of your Child, Jesus Christ, who became one of us so we might be your redeemed forever.
Silence is kept
Assurance Of Pardon
One: Be strong, do not fear! Our God is here! Your eyes will be opened to see God's salvation coming to you.
All: Our spirits rejoice in God our Savior, who has called us blessed. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Blessing
One: Go into the world,
to see the kingdom which is in your midst,
All: to hear the joy breaking forth in our lives;
to bear the good news to everyone we meet.
