These liturgical texts are appropriate for use throughout the Season of Advent and may be repeated from week to week.
Advent Candle Lighting
We light this candle of (hope/peace/joy/love),
a growing light in a season of vigil,
a promise in the night.
We wait for the Holy One, Immanuel,
to come near.
Prophets cry out,
“Restore us, O God.”
The wilderness prepares a way.
God’s promise draws close.
Light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness does not overcome it.
We light the (first/second/third/fourth) candle,
a sign of God’s grace already among us.
Come, O Christ.
Restore us.
Make us ready. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
We wait for the one whose grace is already with us.
Confident in God’s mercy,
let us humbly confess our sin,
praying together,
Coming God,
you call us to keep vigil, but we are too busy.
You call us to prepare the way, but we wander.
We confess we have not trusted your promise.
We have not loved with open hearts.
We are quick to fear and slow to hope.
Forgive us and restore us, O God.
Turn your face toward us,
that we may learn and receive your grace.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
The one who calls us is
the one who restores and forgives us.
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
In Jesus Christ, we are being made new.
Thanks be to God.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
We give you thanks, O God, for baptizing us
in the waters of beginning and belonging.
In the beginning your Spirit hovered over the deep.
You carried life through the flood.
In the wilderness, you sent water from rock.
In the Jordan, you named your Beloved.
In these waters, you name us.
For all this, we give you thanks.
When we forget you, remember us.
When we lose heart, find us in hope.
In the longest nights,
teach us that we belong to you.
Hold us in grace and send us in hope.
Glory to you, O God, now and always. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God.
You have been our help from generation to generation,
our light in the wilderness,
our promise in the night.
When your people cried, you heard.
When your people wandered, you led.
When hope grew thin, you spoke again through prophets and dreamers.
In the fullness of time,
you came near in Jesus Christ,
our Immanuel, God with us,
light dawning, mercy and grace embodied,
love made flesh.
We praise you,
joining the song of the universal church
and the heavenly choir:
Holy, holy, holy, God of the Universe.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the One who comes in God’s name.
Hosanna in the highest.
(or a sung version such as GTG 595, 596)
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior, born of Mary,
in whom you fulfilled your long-awaited promise.
Christ came preaching good news to the poor,
freedom to those held captive,
and comfort to the brokenhearted.
Jesus welcomed the lost,
fed the hungry,
and announced your reign drawing near.
Raised from the dead, he is our living hope
and the sign of your faithfulness forever.
The Words of Institution may be said here or after the prayer.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
your mighty acts of mercy and renewal,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast
and proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ died. Christ rose. Christ comes again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Awaken us as a watchful people.
Strengthen us as a hopeful people.
Shape us as a people ready for your coming.
If prayers of intercession are not included elsewhere in the service, brief petitions may be offered here by the presider or the assembly, spoken aloud or prayed in silence. You may choose to incorporate petitions from the weekly prayers of intercession offered in this edition.
Feed us with the bread of life
and fill us with the spirit of joy
so that we may share your grace and peace
with the whole world.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Breaking, pouring, and sharing the bread and cup: The Words of Institution may be said here or in the prayer.
Blessing and Charge
As you go from this place,
may the God of Advent hope
steady your hearts in waiting.
May Christ meet you on the road of promise.
May the Spirit keep your lamps burning,
that you may abide in peace.
Stay awake to God’s grace.
Prepare the way with mercy.
Watch for joy breaking in. Amen.
