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Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VII, Cycle B
Call To Worship (Psalm 126)
One:
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
All:
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
One:
The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
All:
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
One:
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
All:
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Collect
One:
God's people returned to Judea from exile in Babylon, but years passed and while they paneled their own houses, the temple remained in ruins. They had grown too comfortable. They always had excuses.
All:
We always have excuses.
One:
Sometimes we have to get out of our tracks to take advantage of God's wonderful plan.
All:
Let us pray God will afflict us, pushing us away from comfort into the ministries of the world. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Perceptive God, you know our trials. You also know how our comfort can prevent us from opening our hearts to your word in our lives. We pray that you get our attention. Afflict us in our comfort. Amaze us with your mercy. Prepare us for the task, no matter how difficult it might be or how long it might take. Amen.
Hymns
Bringing In The Sheaves
Comfort, Comfort
Children Of The Heavenly Father
Second Sunday Of Advent
Second Lesson: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Theme: With A Boom, With A Bang!
Call To Worship
The Lord is not slow. A thousand years is like a day in his sight. Let our day in his sight be filled with 1,000 praises!
Collect (Psalm 85:8-13)
One:
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Two:
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Women:
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Men:
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
One and Two:
The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
All:
Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
The Lord is not slow in recalling his promise. Like a thief in the night, with a boom and a bang, in glory and might will he bring down the curtain. Now let us pause before all is dissolving, resolving to praise him, that all might be certain, that joy in his sight might occur. Amen.
Hymns
Great Is The Lord
Amazing Grace (including stanza "The earth shall soon dissolve like snow")
I've Got A Feeling Something Good Is About To Happen
Second Sunday Of Advent
Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:26-38
Theme: Evitable, Not Inevitable
Call To Worship
A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
Collect (based on Psalm 85:8-9)
As God's people we speak peace to the world. We know, Lord, your salvation is at hand. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
One:
Choose, God's people, how you will serve! Mary risked all because of her faith.
All:
Who are we that God should choose us? But let it be according to God's Word. Amen.
Hymns
Let All Mortal Flesh
The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came
Here I Am, Lord
One:
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
All:
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them."
One:
The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
All:
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
One:
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
All:
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Collect
One:
God's people returned to Judea from exile in Babylon, but years passed and while they paneled their own houses, the temple remained in ruins. They had grown too comfortable. They always had excuses.
All:
We always have excuses.
One:
Sometimes we have to get out of our tracks to take advantage of God's wonderful plan.
All:
Let us pray God will afflict us, pushing us away from comfort into the ministries of the world. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Perceptive God, you know our trials. You also know how our comfort can prevent us from opening our hearts to your word in our lives. We pray that you get our attention. Afflict us in our comfort. Amaze us with your mercy. Prepare us for the task, no matter how difficult it might be or how long it might take. Amen.
Hymns
Bringing In The Sheaves
Comfort, Comfort
Children Of The Heavenly Father
Second Sunday Of Advent
Second Lesson: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
Theme: With A Boom, With A Bang!
Call To Worship
The Lord is not slow. A thousand years is like a day in his sight. Let our day in his sight be filled with 1,000 praises!
Collect (Psalm 85:8-13)
One:
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Two:
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Women:
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Men:
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.
One and Two:
The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
All:
Righteousness will go before him, and will make a path for his steps. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
The Lord is not slow in recalling his promise. Like a thief in the night, with a boom and a bang, in glory and might will he bring down the curtain. Now let us pause before all is dissolving, resolving to praise him, that all might be certain, that joy in his sight might occur. Amen.
Hymns
Great Is The Lord
Amazing Grace (including stanza "The earth shall soon dissolve like snow")
I've Got A Feeling Something Good Is About To Happen
Second Sunday Of Advent
Gospel Lesson: Luke 1:26-38
Theme: Evitable, Not Inevitable
Call To Worship
A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."
Collect (based on Psalm 85:8-9)
As God's people we speak peace to the world. We know, Lord, your salvation is at hand. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
One:
Choose, God's people, how you will serve! Mary risked all because of her faith.
All:
Who are we that God should choose us? But let it be according to God's Word. Amen.
Hymns
Let All Mortal Flesh
The Angel Gabriel From Heaven Came
Here I Am, Lord
