Mid-Week Advent Service
(December 6, 2023)
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.
Evening Hymn
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.
Evening Thanksgiving
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
Psalmody, Readings and Canticles
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.
Leader: The light shines in the darkness
All: and the darkness has not overcome it
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Reading: John 2:23-25
Now when Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
Hymn Comfort, Comfort Now My People
1 “Comfort, comfort now my people; Tell of peace!” So says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning under sorrow’s load.
To God’s people now proclaim That God’s pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their war is over; God will reign in peace fore ever.
.
2 For the herald’s voice is crying in the desert far and near,
Calling all to true repentance, Since the kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way!
Let the valleys rise to meet him And the hills bow down to greet him.
.
3 Straight shall be what long was crooked; And the rougher places plain.
Let your hearts be true and humble, As befits his holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad,
And all flesh shall see the token That God’s word is never broken.
Message — “Wonderful Counselor”
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”)
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 you.
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
