The Season of Advent – Liturgical Texts – 56.1

Call to Confession

At the baptismal font:
We have all sinned, not one of us is clean;
but there is mercy for those
who call on the name of the Lord.

Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
The prayer of confession is included here.

Declaration of Forgiveness

Lifting water from the font:
Every valley is lifted up; every mountain, made low.
Now the glory of the Lord is revealed,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.

Call to Confession

At the baptismal font:
Our rightness before God
depends not on us
but on the work and pleasure
of the Lord of Hosts.
Through Christ
we are refined and purified
like silver.
Before our redeeming God
we offer our lives
and confess our sin.
The prayer of confession is included here.

Declaration of Forgiveness

Lifting water from the font:
Emmanuel is coming,
God-with-us.
In Jesus
God reclaims, redeems, and restores
all of creation.
Through this grace
our sins are forgiven.

Sung Response (GTG #100, “My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout” refrain)
“My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears,
for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.”

Thanksgiving for Baptism

At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the hope and longing you instill in us
through the promise of our baptism—
a voice crying out in the wilderness,
a messenger to prepare the way,
the day of redemption drawing near.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
keep us awake and make us ready
for the coming of your glorious realm
of righteousness, justice, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thanksgiving for Baptism

At the baptismal font:
Incarnate One,
who claims us as your own
and comes into our lives yet again,
we give you thanks.
Through the waters of baptism
your Spirit prepares the way
within us,
reshaping our lives.
Make us ready for the day
when you will scatter those
who take pride in their power,
and bring down from their thrones
those who rule with oppression and injustice,
when you raise up the lowly
and send away empty-handed
those with more than enough.
Open our eyes to see
the joy you are bringing,
that we may sing your praise.

Prayer for Illumination

At the lectern or pulpit:
Holy God, our hope and strength,
by the power of your Spirit
prepare the way in our hearts
for the coming of your Word,
so that we may see the glorious signs
of your promise fulfilled;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Illumination

At the lectern or pulpit:
God of hope,
who never lets us go,
draw near to us
in these ancient words.
By your Holy Spirit
may we be filled,
lifted up,
and leveled
as you prepare in our hearts
the path of your coming. Amen.

Before the readings:
A voice is crying in the wilderness:
Listen to the word of the Lord.
Mark 1:3; John 1:23

After the readings:
Heaven and earth will pass away
but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Thanks be to God.
Isaiah 40:8; Mark 13:31

Ascription of Praise

After the sermon:
Now to the God of all wisdom,
who strengthens us according to the gospel,
through Jesus Christ be all glory forever. Amen.
Romans 16:25–27

Affirmation of Faith

Season of Advent (and Christmas)
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus.
His faith and obedience were the response
of the perfect child of God.
He was the fulfillment
of God’s promise to Israel,
the beginning of the new creation,
and the pioneer of the new humanity.
He gave history its meaning and direction
and called the church to be his servant
for the reconciliation of the world.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19

Season of Advent (and Christmas)
The one sufficient revelation of God
is Jesus Christ,
the Word of God incarnate,
to whom the Holy Spirit
bears unique and authoritative witness
through the Holy Scriptures,
which are received and obeyed
as the word of God written.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.27

Season of Advent (and Christmas)
God expressed love for all humankind
through Israel, whom God chose
to be a covenant people
to serve him in love and faithfulness.
When Israel was unfaithful,
God disciplined the nation with judgment
and maintained the covenant
through prophets, priests, teachers,
and true believers.
These witnesses called all Israelites
to a destiny
in which they would serve God faithfully
and become a light to the nations.
The same witnesses proclaimed
the coming of a new age,
and a true servant of God
in whom God’s purpose would be realized.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.18