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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 God of peace make you perfect and holy,
and keep you sound and blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rejoice, for the Lord is with you.
And also with you.
LIGHTING
OF ADVENT WREATH
Assigned
family ascends the steps and lights the 1st, 2nd and 3rd candle on
ADVENT WREATH.
While they do this the Presider says slowly at the appropriate time:
P: As we light the candles
of our Advent wreath,
let
us pray that God's radiant splendor
will
bring the light of hope to those whose lives
are darkened
by oppression and war.
May
it also enlighten our eyes to behold Christ in others.
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.
Introduction and Litany of Praise
In
joyful expectation, let us call out to the Christ,
who is our salvation. [pause]
You
came as God's anointed
bringing good news to the poor and brokenhearted.
Lord, come and save us.
Lord, come and save us.
You
come as the Messiah
to proclaim liberty and freedom to those in bondage:
Christ, come and save us:
Christ, come and save us:
You will come
as the God of peace
to perfect us in holiness:
Lord, come and save us.
Lord, come and save us.
Opening
Prayer
Option
A
O God, most high and most near,
you send glad tidings to the lowly,
you hide not your face from the poor;
those who dwell in darkness you call into the light.
Take away our blindness,
remove the hardness of our hearts,
and form us into a humble people,
that, at the advent of your Son,
we may recognize him in our midst
and find joy in his presence.
We ask 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
A
O God, protector of the oppressed,
healer of the brokenhearted,
you invite all people to share the joy and peace of your reign.
Sanctify our hearts, and keep them blameless
that we may generously prepare the way
for the Savior who is coming:
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
Let
us pray
that
the light of God's salvation may shine on us and on our world.
With
confidence we pray:
CM
Come, Lord, do not
delay. (Please repeat)
- For
the lonely, the brokenhearted,
and all those who find life burdensome.
May Advent and Christmas bring joy
and hope into their lives.
We pray to the Lord:
- For
our government officials and community leaders.
May they become God's instruments
in bringing glad tidings to the poor,
the homeless and the prisoners.
We pray to the Lord:
- For
all gathered here today.
May we hear the lonely voice
of John the Baptist calling us
to repentance and reconciliation.
We pray to the Lord:
- That as the
threat of Bird Flu gets closer to our shores
our Government Agencies and all of us
may be prepared to deal with any outbreak that may occur.
We pray to the Lord:
[The
Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]
P Lord,
you know us and our needs.
May we reach out with joy to grasp
your hand,
and walk more readily in your
ways.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
AMEN.
Prayer
over the Gifts
Creator
God,
we present these simple gifts of bread and wine,
the fruit of rain and sunshine
and the work of our hands.
May the Spirit of your Son
help us to welcome one another
with the bread we share
and with the wine of our joy.
We ask this through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN
Invitation
to the Lord’s Prayer
St
Paul tells us to pray without ceasing.
So now we pray to the Father of Jesus:
Our Father ...
Deliver
us Lord
Deliver
us, Lord,
from the effects of sin that prevent us
from seeing the plight of those who are in need
and from hearing their cries for help.
'May the God of peace make us holy and blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.'.
Prayer
for Peace
St.
Paul says to us;
"Rejoice always.
Pray without ceasing.
Do not quench the Spirit."
Lord, make us messengers of the Good News
so that we may enjoy the peace of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.
Exchange
of Peace
John the Baptizer came to testify to Christ the Light.
Let us acknowledge Christ in each other as we 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
This
is Jesus who brings good news to the oppressed,
and heals the brokenhearted.
Blessed are we who recognize him as God's anointed:
Lord, I am not worthy…
Prayer
after Communion
God,
the Sustainer of life,
you have refreshed us in this holy meal.
Help us to walk with the weak and the poor,
to give hope to the discouraged,
to lift up, with the gentleness of Jesus,
those who need comfort and care.
All this we ask in the name of Jesus the Lord. AMEN
Blessing
May
the God of peace make you perfect and holy. AMEN.
May
your spirit, soul and body be kept blameless. AMEN.
May
you rejoice always and pray without ceasing. AMEN.
And
may almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Dismissal
Our
celebration is ended.
Go, and with joy prepare for the coming of the Lord.
Thanks
be to God.
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