Second Mid-Week Advent Service
December 11, 2019
Leader: Jesus Christ, you are the light of the world;
All: the light no darkness can over-come;
Leader: Stay with us now, for it is evening,
All: and the day is almost over.
Leader: Let your light scatter the darkness,
All: and shine within your people here.
All:
- Joyous light of heavenly glory, loving glow of God’s own face, you who sing creation’s story, shine on every land and race. Now as evening falls around us we shall raise our songs to you, God of daybreak, God of shadows, come and light our hearts anew.
- In the stars that grace the darkness, in the blazing sun of dawn, in the light of peace and wisdom, we can hear your quiet song. Love that fills the night with wonder, love that warms the weary soul, Love that bursts all chains asunder, set us free and make us whole.
- You who made the heaven’s splendor, every dancing star of night, make us shine with gentle justice, let us each reflect your light. Mighty God of all creation, gentle Christ who lights our way, Loving Spirit of salvation, lead us on to endless day.
Leader: May God be with you all,
All: and also with you;
Leader: Let us sing our thanks to God,
All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Leader: Blessed are you, Creator of the universe – from old you have led your people by night and day. May the light of your Christ make our darkness bright, for your Word and your presence are the light of our pathways, and you are the light and life of all creation.
All: Amen
All: Let my prayer rise up like incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
Group One: O God, I call to you, * come to me now; O hear my voice when I call to you, Let my prayer rise up like incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you. Keep watch within me, God; deep in my heart may the light of your love be burning bright. Let my prayer rise up like incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you. All praise to the God of all Creator of life; all praise ge to Christ and the Spirit of love. Let my prayer rise up like incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as an offering to you.
* At this point Group two starts
(Silence for meditation)
Leader: May our prayers come before you, O God, as incense, and may your presence surround and fill us, so that in union with all creation, we might sing your praise and your love in our lives.
All: Amen.
Hymn “Green Book” 26 Prepare the Royal Highway
Prepare the royal highway; the King of kings is near!
Let ev’ry hill and valley A level road appear!
Then greet the King of glory, foretold in sacred story:
Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s Word!
God’s people, see him coming: your own eternal king!
Palm branches strew before him! Spread garments! Shout and sing!
God’s promise will not fail you! No more shall doubt assail you!
Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s Word!
Then fling the gates wide open to greet your promised king!
Your king, yet ev‘ry nation its tribute too many bring.
All lands will bow before him; their voices join your singing:
Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s Word!
His is no earthly kingdom; it comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom and justice, truth, and love.
So let your praise be sounding for kindness so abounding:
Hosanna to the Lord, for he fulfills God’s Word!
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Prayer:
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way that leads to the Christ child. Lift up every valley. Make low every mountain. Level the ground and smooth the rough places of lives. Make us one people whose life together is a straight way for all people to see your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Luke 1: 26-28, 30-32, 38
Leader: An angel went from God to a town called Nazareth to a woman whose name was Mary. The angel said to her, “Rejoice, O highly favored, for God is with you. You shall bear a child, and his name sall be Jesus, the Chosen One of God Most High.” And Mary said, “I am the servant of my God, I live to do your will.”
(Immediately to “The Magnificat”)
Luke 1: 46-55
- My soul proclaims your greatness O God, and my spirit rejoices in servant here, and blessed be all my life though. Great and mighty are you. O Holy One, strong in your kindness evermore. How you favor the weak and lowly one, humbling the proud of heart.
- You have cast the mighty down from their thrones, and uplifted the humble of wondrous things, and left the wealthy no part. Great and mighty are you, O Faithful One, strong is your justice strong your love. As you promised to Sarah and Abraham, Kindness forever more.
- My soul proclaims your greatness O God, and my spirit rejoices in servant here, and blessed be all my life though.
All: (Hum first round then sing) God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: In peace, in Peace, we pray to you:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: For peace and salvation, we pray to you:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: For peace between nations, for peace between peoples:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: For us who are gathered to worship and praise your:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: For all of your servants who live out your gospel:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: For all those who govern, that justice might guide them:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: For all those who labor in service to others:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: Grant weather that nourishes all of creation:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: Keep watch on our loved ones and keep us from danger:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: For all the beloved who res in your mercy:
All: God of mercy, Hold us in love,
Leader: Help us, comfort us, all of our days:
All: Keep us, hold us, gracious God.
Leader: Great and merciful God, Source and Ground of all goodness and live, give to your people the peace that passes all understanding, and the will to live your Gospel of mercy and justice, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
Leader: God, remember us in your love and teach us to pray:
All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, mow and forever. Amen
Leader: Let us bless our God:
All: praise and thanks to your.
Leader: May God, Creator bless us and keep us, may Christ be ever light for our lives, may the Spirit of Love be our guide and path, for all of our days.
All: Amen