Hope

Advent Candle lighting, click here. 

PRAYER FOR PREPARATION:  O Living Christ, We need your love today to shine in the dark corners of our world, where loneliness and hatred, war and suffering, greed and lust destroy.  Come to us and shine in our lives, that we may more perfectly love you and reflect your love on earth.  Amen.

CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                                                                 

Lord God, reveal yourself to us again.  Help us this Advent season to focus on your son Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve.  Help us not to serve ourselves this December, but to serve you as we serve others.  Amen.

† HYMN                                        “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”                                  Hymn p. 82

   PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                                                                                                             

We confess, O God, that we do not take seriously your coming into our lives.  We do not believe that salvation is near; we do not act uprightly, loving you, our neighbors, or ourselves; nor do we bend our swords and spears.  Forgive us, we pray, that we might once again walk in your light, choosing for the world of our Christ.  Amen.

  

SCRIPTURE READINGS                                                                                                 Isaiah 2:1-5, p. 631

                                                                                                                                    Romans 13:11-14, p. 162

Worship prayers from Nov. 27