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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
To
God, who alone is wise,
may glory be given through
Jesus Christ for ever and ever. Amen.
And may the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
LIGHTING
OF ADVENT WREATH
Assigned
family ascends the steps and lights all the candles on the ADVENT
WREATH.
While they do this the Presider says slowly at the appropriate time:
P: On this, the final Sunday
of Advent,
as
we light the candles of our Advent wreath,
let
us pray that we, like Mary,
may
welcome the coming of Christ into our hearts
and
become instruments
of the
coming of the reign of God in all its fullness.
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
As
the birth of a child draws near, attention focuses on the mother.
Since we are nearing the celebration of the birth of Christ,
it is no surprise to find that Mary is at the center of today's Gospel.
Let us now call out to the Son of Mary, the Son of the Most High God.
[pause]
You
came as Son of David to establish the reign of God.
Lord, come and save us.
Lord, come and save us.
You
come as Son of Mary to be Emmanuel, God-with-us:
Christ, come and save us:
Christ, come and save us:
You will come
as Son of God to bring creation to fulfillment:
Lord, come and save us.
Lord, come and save us.
Opening
Prayer
Here
in our midst, O God of mystery,
you disclose the secret that was hidden for countless ages.
For you we wait;
for you we listen.
Upon hearing your voice
may we, like Mary, embrace your will
and become a dwelling fit for your Word.
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.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
P
As
we await with confidence the coming of the Savior,
let
us open our hearts and make known to him our needs.
With
confidence we pray:
CM
Come to us, Lord
Jesus!. (Please repeat)
- Like
the Virgin Mary, may the People of God
throughout the world be ready to welcome Christ
the Savior into their hearts this Christmas.
We pray :
- That,
like Mary, our answer will always
be 'Yes' to the will of God in our lives.
We pray :
- May
the poor and disadvantaged, the lonely
and abandoned, experience the Lord's consolation
through the efforts of the people who minister
to them with compassion and love.
We pray :
- For those
parents in our community awaiting
the birth of their first child.
Like Mary, may they joyfully ponder God's
power and goodness.
We pray :
[The
Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]
P May
your Son at his coming
dispel the darkness of our hearts
and of our world.
We make our prayer through Christ
our Lord. AMEN.
Prayer
over the Gifts
God
of those who hope,
through these humble signs of bread and wine
we will recognize your Son Jesus Christ as our God-with-us.
Help us to welcome him also in people who are in need
and to hear his constant call
in the events of everyday life,
that he may stay with us
now and forever. AMEN
Invitation
to the Lord’s Prayer
Option
A
Patiently awaiting the Lord whose coming is near,
let us rejoice as we lift up our hands and pray:
Our Father ...
Option
B
"Glory to him
who is able to give us strength to live according to the Good News"
We bless God as we pray:
Our Father ...
Deliver
us Lord
Deliver
us, Lord, from the blindness
that prevents us from seeing the plight of those who are in need.
Open our ears to their cries for help.
Enable us to prepare in joy and hope
for the coming among us
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer
for Peace
Isaiah
said:
"The young woman is with child
and shall bear a son
and shall name him Emmanuel."
Lord Jesus, look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live forever and ever.
Exchange
of Peace
As children of the God of peace,
let us offer one another a sign of reconciliation and 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,
the Son of the Most High,
the Son of Mary.
Blessed
are we to receive him, our God-with-us:
Lord, I am not worthy…
Prayer
after Communion
Generous God,
You fill the hungry with good things
and send the self-satisfied away empty.
In this Eucharist you have filled us
with the word and bread of life.
As Christmas draws near
may we hunger for the coming of Jesus,
your Son, who is Lord for ever 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 holiness
and the peace of his blessing. AMEN.
May
God make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope,
and untiring in love all the days of your life. AMEN.
May God the Holy
Spirit,
by whose power the Virgin Mary conceived the Savior,
reveal to you the path from darkness to light.
AMEN.
And
may almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Dismissal
Option
A
Go, and with Mary prepare for the coming of the Lord.
Thanks
be to God.
Option
B
The Lord’s coming is close
at hand.
Go
forth in peace to prepare his way.
Thanks
be to God.
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