Preparation

The Family assigned to light the ADVENT CANDLE
assembles in the front seat.
The Cantor sings / says the Verse
The Choir leads the Assembly in singing / saying the Response
When the Ministers are ready to begin the Procession
the CM says: Please STAND.

C       The Spirit and the Church cry out:
All     Come, Lord Jesus!

C       All those who await his appearance pray:
All     Come, Lord Jesus!

C      The whole creation pleads:
All    Come, Lord Jesus!
             [pause]

CM   As we await Christ's coming let us sing our Gathering Song:

The Ministers begin the procession
Presider kisses the altar and stands near the Wreath.
Sanctuary Assistants with Clear Book and Microphone are in attendance.
Other Ministers proceed to usual places.

Sign of the Cross

Greeting

May the grace and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you all. (1 Cor.1:3).
And also with you.

My brothers and sisters:
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in glory,
let us pray that God will make us witnesses of Christ,
who has taken on our humanity
to bring salvation to the world.

Introduction or Welcome

BLESSING OF ADVENT WREATH

P:        Lord God, Source of our hope,
           you gather all nations in your kingdom of light and peace.
          On this day as we celebrate Jesus' victory over sin and death,
          we look forward to his return
          when we will share the vision of your glory.

          Lord, bless your people +
          who look upon this WREATH
          as the evergreen sign of your faithful love.
          Dispel the darkness of sin,
          that the light and joy of Jesus
          may shine in this waiting world.
         We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Assigned family ascends the steps and lights the 1st candle on ADVENT WREATH.
While they do this the Presider says slowly at the appropriate time:

P:        As we light this Advent wreath,
           let us pray that it be a sign of hope to all people,
           and especially to those who dwell in darkness
           and the shadow of death.
           Let God's word guide our feet on the road of peace.

The family members now return to their seat.
The Presider may proceed to the Chair
or stay beside the wreath until the Liturgy of the Word.
The Litany of Praise may be omitted because of Blessing Rite
- as on Passion Sunday et al.

Litany of Praise (Optional)

In joyful expectation, let us call out to the Christ,
who is our salvation. (pause)

Lord Jesus, you proclaimed the good news to the poor:
Lord, come and save us.
Lord, come and save us.

You come to enrich us with every spiritual gift
and to keep us watchful in our work as your servants:
Christ, come and save us:
Christ, come and save us.

You will come on a day we cannot know
to gather us home and to give us new life:
Lord, come and save us:
Lord, come and save us.

Opening Prayer

Option A
Open wide the heavens and come down,
O God of all the ages!
Rouse us from sleep,
deliver us from our sinful ways,
and form us into a watchful people,
that, at the advent of your Son,
he may find us doing what is right.

Grant this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near;
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.

Option B
Through all generations, O God,
your faithfulness endures,
and your fidelity to the covenant never fails.

Since you are the potter and we are the work of your hands,
remember us and strengthen us to the end by your grace;
that we may faithfully keep watch
for the glorious coming of our Redeemer,
and be found blameless
on the day of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

P         As we enter the holy season of Advent, we ask God our Father
            to help us to stay awake and make ready for the coming of our Savior.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Come, Lord Jesus, come. (Please repeat)

1. For our Religious leaders:
   that as servants waiting for the Master's return
   they carry out their responsibilities with love and commitment.
   We pray in faith:
   
2. For all those who hold positions of trust in our society:
   that they may prove to be good and faithful servants.
   We pray in faith:
   
3. Rejoicing that God is the potter and we the clay,
   we ask for the grace to receive the word of God
   that fashions us into a holy priesthood,
   a nation dedicated to what is right.
   We pray in faith:
4. That as the threat of Bird Flu gets nearer to the Philippines
   our Government Agencies and our people
   may be well equipped to deal with any outbreak that may occur.
   We pray in faith:

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P    Eternal God, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
      Help us to have confidence in your unchanging love for us,
      so that we may have the strength to persevere in goodness.
      We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Grant, O Lord, that the gifts we present
may be pleasing in your eyes.
Make us watchful
as we await the coming of your Son, our Lord.
Grant that when he shall appear,
he may find us active in his service
and joyful in his praise.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. AMEN

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray to our faithful God,
in the words of Jesus his Son,
that his kingdom may come among us
: Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Lord from every evil
and grant us every spiritual gift.
In your mercy keep us watchful
as we wait in joyful hope
for the revelation -
the second coming
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:
"Keep awake!
You do not know when the master will come."
Grant that we will remain alert
and be prepared to welcome you as master of the kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.

Exchange of Peace
As we wait for the coming of our God
let us offer a sign of peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P     Now let us break the bread of life
       remembering the words of Jesus:
       "See, I am coming soon." (Rev.27:7)
        And let us answer:
A   "Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!" (1 Cor. 16:22)v.

Invitation to Communion

Behold our Master
who bids us to stay awake and prepare for his return in glory.
Blessed are we who are invited to his banquet:

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion

Creator God,
you are the potter;
we are the clay -
the work of your hands.
Fashion us into a people who are able to give thanks
for the gift of Jesus your Son
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever. AMEN

Blessing

You believe that the Son of God once came to us;
you look for him to come again.
May his coming bring you the light of his holiness. AMEN.

May God make you steadfast in faith,
joyful in hope,
and untiring in love all the days of your life. AMEN.

You rejoice that our Redeemer came to live with us.
When he comes again in glory,
may he reward you with life without end. AMEN.

And may God bless you,
the + Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal

Go in peace…..
…. and make ready for the coming of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.