SECOND SUNDAY IN ADVENT
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series III, Cycle A
CALL TO WORSHIP
With one mind and one voice, praise God, the Parent of our Lord Jesus Christ, and ours. Glorify God, who is merciful, and sing hymns to God, who has many hallowed names.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Heavenly Sovereign. Scion of the heavenly house, Spirit of wisdom and power, of what should we repent to prepare the way for your coming? We confess that there are many things to keep us busy in preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Have we allowed too much time for our own parties and too little for ministries to the sick and the poor? Are we content to be merely sentimental about the victims of injustice or do we need to be more strenuous in our advocacy for them? Have we done enough to find a common voice in which both to worship you and to speak out against the evil of the world? Turn us backfrom every evil way, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Jesus Christ baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Agree with one another after the manner of Jesus Christ, so that with one mind and one voice you may praise the God of the Gospel.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Baptize us with the Holy Spirit, that we may be purged of all that is unfruitful and be taught by your wisdom, enabled to serve in your strength and be worthy of worshipping you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of nature, God in history, God in the church, we give thanks to you for all that you have created for us to share in our world. We celebrate every victory of your justice over oppression and every vindication of the blood of the innocent. We join our voices with all who praise your name, in whatever language and whatever style, in every place on earth and in heaven. No human creativity can match the marvelous things that you do. May your glory fill all the earth. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Sovereign of heaven and earth, no gifts of gold and silver, no jewels of earthly value can be as precious to you as the offering of ourselves to you in life and in death. Receive us as worthy, through the acceptance granted to us by Jesus Christ. Amen.
PSALM 72:1-7, 18-19
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king's son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the nzoon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
With one mind and one voice, praise God, the Parent of our Lord Jesus Christ, and ours. Glorify God, who is merciful, and sing hymns to God, who has many hallowed names.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Heavenly Sovereign. Scion of the heavenly house, Spirit of wisdom and power, of what should we repent to prepare the way for your coming? We confess that there are many things to keep us busy in preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Have we allowed too much time for our own parties and too little for ministries to the sick and the poor? Are we content to be merely sentimental about the victims of injustice or do we need to be more strenuous in our advocacy for them? Have we done enough to find a common voice in which both to worship you and to speak out against the evil of the world? Turn us backfrom every evil way, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
DECLARATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Hear the Good News! Jesus Christ baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Friends, believe the Good News! In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
EXHORTATION
Agree with one another after the manner of Jesus Christ, so that with one mind and one voice you may praise the God of the Gospel.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Baptize us with the Holy Spirit, that we may be purged of all that is unfruitful and be taught by your wisdom, enabled to serve in your strength and be worthy of worshipping you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God of nature, God in history, God in the church, we give thanks to you for all that you have created for us to share in our world. We celebrate every victory of your justice over oppression and every vindication of the blood of the innocent. We join our voices with all who praise your name, in whatever language and whatever style, in every place on earth and in heaven. No human creativity can match the marvelous things that you do. May your glory fill all the earth. Amen.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Sovereign of heaven and earth, no gifts of gold and silver, no jewels of earthly value can be as precious to you as the offering of ourselves to you in life and in death. Receive us as worthy, through the acceptance granted to us by Jesus Christ. Amen.
PSALM 72:1-7, 18-19
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king's son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the nzoon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
