Preparation

The Family assigned to light the candles on the ADVENT WREATH assembles in the front seat.

The Cantor sings the Verse:
The Choir leads the Assembly in singing the Response.

When the Ministers are ready to begin
the Procession the Commentator says: Please STAND.

The Cantor sings the Verse:

The Choir leads the Assembly in singing the Response

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   On this, the First Sunday of Advent, as we await Christ's coming
         let us sing our Gathering Song:

The Ministers begin the procession
Presider kisses the altar …. then proceeds to his Chair.
Other Ministers proceed to usual places.

Sign of the Cross

Greeting

My brothers and sisters,
on this fourth and last Sunday of Advent,
I greet you with the words of the apostle Paul:
"From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
grace and peace be with you."

BLESSING OF ADVENT WREATH

Assigned family ascends the steps and lights the 1st and 2nd Candle on ADVENT WREATH
While they do this the Presider says slowly:

As we light the Advent wreath,
let us pray that we, like Mary and Joseph,
may welcome Christ into our lives
and so become instruments
of the coming of the reign of God in our troubled world.

The family members now return to their seat.

Introduction

Emmanuel, God-with-us, was born into the house of David,
yet he belongs to all nations.
Let us prepare for the coming of this child,
that he may in truth be 'God with us.'

Litany of Praise

Lord Jesus, you are the son of David,
the Messiah foretold by the prophets:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the Son of God
who comes to deliver your people from their sins:
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the son of Mary,
Emmanuel,
God who dwells among his people:
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A
Eternal God,
in the psalms of David,
in the words of the prophets,
in the dream of Joseph
your promise is spoken.
At last, in the womb of the Virgin Mary,
your Word takes flesh.
Teach us to welcome Jesus, the promised Emmanuel,
and to preach the good news of his coming,
that every age may know him
as the source of redemption and grace.
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
Eternal God, whom the heavens cannot contain,
you have chosen as your tabernacle
the womb of Mary, the Virgin of Nazareth.
Overshadow us with your power,
form us as your daughters and sons
and knit us together as your holy people
according to your word.
For you nothing is impossible
and so we offer you our prayer
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who was, who is and who is to come,
your Son, who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

P         We are among the people who have been "called to belong to Jesus Christ".
           As his people gathered here, let us now pray to God for the needs of the Church
           and the world.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Come to us, Lord Jesus! (Please repeat)

For husbands and wives: [pause]
that they may find comfort in time of sorrow,
strength in time of trial, and make Jesus
the center of their lives.
We pray:

For those parents in our community who are awaiting the birth of a child: [pause]
may they find God's presence in the wonder of childbirth.
We pray:

For all those preparing for marriage: [pause]
that like Mary and Joseph they may build their partnership
on the firm foundation of the word of God.
We pray:

For victims of rumor, gossip and false judgment [pause]
may they find in us defenders of their rights and reputations.
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 this Christmas:
We pray:

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

P    Faithful God,
      like Joseph and Mary we long for the coming of Jesus into our lives.
      Hear these payers of your waiting people.
      We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

God of those who hope,
through these humble signs of bread and wine
we will welcome your Son Jesus Christ as our God-with-us.
Help us to welcome him also in the people around us
and to hear his constant call
in the events of everyday life.
All this we ask through Christ our Lord. AMEN

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

Through Jesus, our God-with-us,
let us pray with trust to our Father in heaven as we say / sing:

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 for ever and ever.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Sign of Peace
Patiently awaiting the Lord whose coming is near,
let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P     As we break the bread of life,
       in a sharing of communion in the Lord,
       we remember the promise of Jesus:
       "See, I am coming soon." (Rev. 22.7)
       And let us pray:

A   "Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!" (1 Cor. 16:22)v.

Lamb of God

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary,
our God-with-us.
Blessed are we who are called to his Banquet.

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion

Faithful God,
in this Eucharist we have again celebrated
the coming of your Son into our midst.
Plant within our hearts
your living Word of promise,
that, into a world grown weary
of empty dreams and broken promises,
we may bring forth the living presence
of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

Blessing

To all God's beloved, who are called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace. AMEN.

You are God's chosen people;
by his call you belong to Jesus Christ. 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 almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal

Our celebration is ended.
With Mary and Joseph, go and prepare for the coming of the Lord.