Worship Prayers for Dec. 22

 

CENTERING PRAYER*  

My soul magnifies the LORD!

All is ready

Stable prepared

Shepherds working

Magi journeying

Gifts are chosen

My soul magnifies the LORD!

 

A city awaits

Crowded and bustling

Stars are shining

People expecting

A drama unfolding

My soul magnifies the LORD!

 

The LORD is coming

To save his people

Mary’s obedience

Jesus’ willingness

Your gracious gift to us

My soul magnifies the LORD!

 

 

ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING

 

We light these candles of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love as a sign of the coming light of Christ. 

Christ is the reflection of God’s glory, the very imprint of God’s own being. 

Night and day we pray that God will strengthen us in holiness and love. 

God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice! The Lord is near.

It is the will of God that we be made holy through the gift of Jesus Christ.

Thanks be to God for this good news of great joy!

 

KINDLE ADVENT CANDLES

 

“Kindle Advent Candles”

 

Kindle Advent candles.

Love endures through all.

Hate brings fleeting power.

Love’s a real curve-ball.

Cherishing each other,

Heaven comes to earth.

Sacred transformation

Brings rebirth.

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

God our Savior, we ask for your mercy. Though we have heard Mary’s song, we still seek security in pride and power and possessions. Though we know your story, we resist the costs of following you. We pass by those considered lowly in this world. We turn away from hungry people who still wait to be filled. Forgive us, we pray. Help us to work for the justice you intend. Make us messengers of the peace you bring. As we wait for you, turn our apathy into acts of love and service. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel. (Silent Confession)

 

 

OFFERING

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

God does not desire us to bring burnt offerings and

sin offerings, Heb. 10:5–10

but instead asks that we do God’s will.

So we bring to God now the offerings of our lives

and our labors,

with the prayer that God’s will may be done

through them.

 

 

Prayer after Offering

 

Let us pray… You deliver us, O God,

from exile, separation, and despair

into communion with each other, with you, and with your good news.

We thank you for all that draws us close together,

astounding us with lives transformed by gratitude.

Accept our gifts as signs of our gratitude

for what you give us every day

and as honor to your presence in our world;

for the sake of those who stand in need

and Jesus Christ, who saves us. Amen.

Scripture for Dec. 22

 Luke 1:39-56

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

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Statue at Church of the Visitation in Ein Karem, Israel

Worship Prayers December 15

 

CENTERING PRAYER Merciful God, you come into our midst longing for communion with us, becoming one of us. Break our resistance to life with you, show us the path toward just relations, and bring us into your unimaginable peace; in Jesus’ name. Amen. PRELUDE Christian, Awake, Salute the Happy Morn John Wainwright 

 ADVENT WREATH LIGHTING LITURGY We light these candles of Hope, Peace, and Joy as a sign of the coming light of Christ. Christ is the reflection of God’s glory, the very imprint of God’s own being. Night and day, we pray that God will strengthen us in holiness and love. God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ. Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice! The Lord is near Thanks be to God for this good news of great joy! 

KINDLE ADVENT CANDLES Elana Keppel Levy Kindle advent candles. Joy will soon rebound Lost in rifts of numb shame: hiding from the crowd. Will we find belonging if they see our face? See, we are God’s children, Claimed in holy grace! † 

HYMN “People, Look East” Hymnal #105 

ADVENT PRAYER † SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. 

† GLORY BE TO THE FATHER Hymnal #581 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen. 

ADVENT FAMILY MESSAGE Sunday School is available or children are invited to remain in the sanctuary for the cantata. 

† AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Westminster Confession of Faith, Shorter Catechism Question One Q. What is our chief end? A. Our chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy God forever. 

OFFERING The First Noel Guest Musicians 

† THE DOXOLOGY Hymnal #606 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. 

 CHRISTMAS CANTATA 

†CHARGE AND BLESSING †BENEDICTION “Peace on Earth” Sussex Carol 

 RESPONSE Peace on the earth, Good will to all, the angels sang from Heav’n above. Peace on the earth, Good will to all, we go to share God’s peace and love. 

POSTLUDE Trumpet Jubilee Patricia Lou Harris

Daily Prayer December 13

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Daily Readings for Friday, December 13, 2024

• Morning Psalms 102; 148
• First Reading Isaiah 7:10-25
• Second Reading 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
• Gospel Reading Luke 22:14-30
• Evening Psalms 130; 16

God, our creator, you have given us work to do and call us to use our talents for the good of all. Guide us as we work, and teach us to live in the Spirit who made us your sons and daughters, in the love that made us sisters and brothers. Remember, O God, your church. Unite it in the truth of your Word and empower it in ministry to the world. Remember the world of nations. By your Spirit renew the face of the earth; let peace and justice prevail. Remember our family and friends. Bless them and watch over them; be gracious to them and give them peace. Remember the sick and the suffering, the aged and the dying. Encourage them and give them hope. Rejoicing in the communion of saints, we remember with thanksgiving all your faithful servants, whom you have called from this life. We are grateful that for them death is no more, nor is there sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)

Worship Prayers December 8

 “Kindle Advent Candles”

 

Kindle advent candles.

Peace will be restored.

Clashes serve the schemers:

victims’ cries ignored.

Scars appear around us.

Can they ever heal?

We must walk a new path:

Make peace real.

 

 

CENTERING PRAYER

 

God of the Covenant, you send us messengers to cleanse and refine us for your coming. Help us endure and embrace the prophets’ message, that we may see you when you suddenly appear among us; through Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP – Advent Wreath Liturgy

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Refining God, you send us prophets, but we do not listen. You show us the way of life, but we prefer to go our own way. You give us your light, but we are more comfortable in the darkness. By your tender mercy, forgive us, and renew your covenant within us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Silent Confession)

 

 

 

Invitation to the Offering

 

We are called by God to present a harvest of righteousness – not by virtue of our own works, but by the grace of the one who began a good work in us, and is even now bringing it to completion. Let us bring the offerings of our lives to the Lord...

 

Prayer after Offering

 

God of all righteousness, receive these gifts of gratitude, the offerings of our lives. Purify them with your refining fire so that they may serve your purposes and shine with your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

Scripture for Dec. 8

  

Malachi 3:1-4

3 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

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Daily Prayer December 6

You, O Lord, are full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger, and rich in kindness.

Daily Readings for Friday, December 6, 2024

• Morning Psalms 102; 148
• First Reading Isaiah 3:1-4:1
• Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
• Gospel Reading Luke 20:41-21:4
• Evening Psalms 130; 16

God our creator, you made all things in your wisdom, and in your love you save us. We pray for the whole creation. Overthrow evil powers, right what is wrong, feed and satisfy those who thirst for justice, so that all your children may freely enjoy the earth you have made, and joyfully sing your praises. Take all our doubts and uncertainties, O God, and fill us with such faith that we may be confident of your love and loyal in the service of him who died and yet lives for us, Jesus Christ the Lord. Merciful God, you bear the pain of the world. Look with compassion on those who are sick; cheer them by your word, and bring healing as a sign of your grace. God of comfort, stand with those who sorrow; that they may be sure that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, shall separate them from your love. (Add your prayers.) Amen.

As God's own, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, and patience, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, and crown all these things with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

(Opening sentences, prayers, and blessings are from the Book of Common Worship. Readings are from the daily lectionary in Daily Prayer. Both are published by Westminster/John Knox Press.)