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.