re:Worship: Advent 2 A

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Call to Worship: Prepare the Way

Here’s a call to worship for Advent from Joanna Harader’s Spacious Faith website.

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:3, Isaiah 40:3)

We come to prepare the way;
The way for Christ –
the hope of Christ, the peace of Christ –
to enter our world,
to enter our hearts.
We cry out together in the wilderness:
The kingdom of heaven has come near.
We come to be part of the light–
the light that shines in the darkness.

~ written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith. http://spaciousfaith.com/

Call to Worship: Advent 2A

Here’s a call to worship for the second Sunday of Advent, Year A. It was written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community.

Call to worship

(inspired by Romans 15: 4-13)

Gather around,

you are welcome here,

and you will hear Good News.

In a world

where there are so many

discouraging and negative voices

it is the God of encouragement

who will speak to you today.

The God of Jesus Christ.

So come in, relax,

let your tiredness roll away.

Lift up your hearts, and listen.

~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community website. http://stillpointsa.org.au/prayer/prayers-and-liturgies/

Opening Prayer: Prepare the Way

Here’s an opening prayer for Advent from Bruce Prewer.

Prayer of Invocation

(inspired by Isaiah 40:3-5, Mark 1:2-3, Luke 3:4-6)

Loving God,

be to us as a bulldozer of the spirit.

Clear your road in us;

clear a path through the detritus of possessions and obsessions.

Thrust aside our divided aims and devious games.

Topple the ramparts of pride and the doubts that deride.

Make a highway on which Christ may come

and take possession of the whole territory of our being.

To the glory of your name we pray.

Amen!

~ written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page. http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Confession: Path in the Wilderness

Here’s a prayer of confession for Advent from the Ministry Matters website.

Prayer of Confession

“Prepare the way of the Lord!

Make a straight road for him!” Matthew 3:3

Holy and loving God,

we have dwelt in darkness

and preferred it to the light;

we have been proud of our accomplishments

and despaired over our shortcomings.

Smooth down the mountains of our pride,

and lift up the valleys of our doubts.

Open a path in the wilderness of our lives

that we might find our way to you again.

Refine us and prepare us once again

for life in your kingdom.

Hear our prayer, O Lord. Amen.

~ from First Sunday of Advent Prayers and Litanies, posted on the Ministry Matters website. www.ministrymatters.com/

Prayer Reflection: The Word

Here’s a thoughtful prayer reflection from Roddy Hamilton.

Advent Word

it is ancient
as old as the first word
for it is the first word ever
spoken by a God
who was feeling the divine voice
for the first time

its sound has taken many forms through
the ages, but it speaks
still, the single
truth it always has

some hear it beating swords into ploughshares
others hear it hammering spears into pruning hooks
and still others hear the
original word
that shaped these others
the first word:
the word,
love

~ written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws. http://www.nkchurch.org.uk/index.php/mucky-paws

Pastoral Prayer: John the Baptist

Here’s a pastoral prayer inspired by the ministry of John the Baptist (Matt 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8). It comes from the Literature & Liturgy website.

Prayers of the People

(inspired by Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:1-8)

God, when the time was ripe and the hour had come,

you sent your servant John into the wilderness

to proclaim the coming of the one true Messiah:

Make way! Repent and be baptized!

For the salvation of God is at hand.

John came to bear witness to the true light,

the Messiah, the Son of God.

And he told them, wake up!

Watch and wait,

for the hour is near when the Son of God will arise.

God, on this second Sunday of Advent

we have heard your servant crying out to us in the wilderness.

We have heard the call to repentance and restoration,

and we want to respond.

We have heard that you are offering forgiveness of sins,

and we want to hear your mercy spoken over us.

We have heard that you are baptizing with water,

and with the Holy Spirit and with fire:

cleanse us and make us new.

We have heard that you are ushering in a reign of peace,

and we want to see your kingdom when it comes.

God, our sins are many, but your mercy is great.
Our vision is dim, but your coming is at hand.
Our hope is feeble, but your promises stand forever.

God, your world stands in need of you.

Everywhere we look we see need of you:

for your coming, your restoration,

your peace, your transformation.

On this second Sunday of advent

we pray for the nations to know your truth and your light.

We pray for the poor, the hungry, and the needy.

We pray for those who are spiritually hungry and poor in spirit:

may they come to know the living water,

and to drink deeply from your well.

We pray for those who face Christmas alone,

or sick, or homeless, or destitute:

Jesus Christ, Light from true Light,

be a light in the darkness.

(Prayers of the people)

God, the hour of your coming again draws near.

Make us ready: in our hearts, in our minds, in our souls.

Lord Jesus Christ, come to us again this Advent.

Come and do not tarry.

Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen.

~ posted on Literature & Liturgy. https://jesusscribbles.wordpress.com/

Prayer Litany: A River of Justice

Here’s a responsive prayer litany inspired by Psalm 72:1-10 and Amos 5:24. It was posted on Christine Sine’s Godspace website.

Prayer Litany

(Adapted from Psalm 72:1-10, & Amos 5:24)

God let your justice and fairness

flow like a river that never runs dry

Please help those of us who are rich

to be honest and fair just like you, our God.

May we who have such abundance

be honest and fair with all your people,

especially the poor.

Let peace and justice rule every mountain

and fairness flow as a river that never runs dry.

God let your justice and fairness

flow like a river that never runs dry

May we your people defend the poor,

rescue the homeless,

and crush everyone who hurts them.

May we be as helpful as rain that refreshes the ground,

to those who are treated unjustly.

Let the wholeness and fairness of your kingdom

live forever like the sun and the moon.

God let your justice and fairness

flow like a river that never runs dry

Because you our God,

rescue the homeless and have pity on those who hurt

May we who are rich stand up for the poor

and let peace abound until the moon fades to nothing.

Let God’s kingdom of justice and fairness

reach from sea to sea, across all the earth.

God let your justice and fairness

flow like a river that never runs dry

Amen.

~ from Christine Sine’s Godspace website. http://godspace.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/i-have-a-dream-a-prophetic-speech-now-50-years-old/

Advent Intercessions

Here’s a prayer of intercession for Advent from Fr. Rick Morley. It draws on images from each of the Isaiah readings for Year A.

Prayers of the People

In the hushed anticipation of your coming, O Lord,

kindle in us the desire to remain awake;

that we might be ready for your coming, and eager to pray.

O God, in days to come

the mountain of your house will be established,

and your joy shall reign.

We pray for the church (especially…),

that you might teach us your ways and that we might walk in your paths.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Out of Zion shall go forth instruction,

and you, O God, shall judge between the nations.

We pray for our nation, and all nations,

that your peace would be manifest in every corner of the earth.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord,

wolves lie down with lambs

and children play with serpents without fear.

We pray for the sick, the suffering,

and those in distress of any kind (especially…);

that you would heal all injuries, comfort all grief,

and settle all wrongs.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In your Kingdom, O Lord,

even the wilderness and dry land are glad and rejoice.

We pray for those who rejoice this week

as they celebrate their birthday (especially… and anniversaries…);

that they might obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing might flee away.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

In the fulness of time, O God,

you sent your son, to be born of our sister Mary.

And his name was Emmanuel: God With Us.

We thank you for your Presence with us,

and we pray that you might be always present

with those whom we love but see no longer.

Come Lord Jesus, and hear our prayer.

Come among us O God, and hear our prayers;

so that when your Son Jesus comes among us

with great might, and in manger mild,

we might recognize his face and his voice,

and come to adore him. Amen.

~ written by Fr. Rick Morley, and posted on rick morley. http://www.rickmorley.com/archives/207

Call to Worship: Romans 15: 5-6

We come together as one,

united in our common loyalty to Jesus Christ.

We come to worship and praise the God who calls us here.

Let’s open our hearts to one another,

just as Christ has opened his heart to us,

and God will be glorified.

Closing Benediction: Romans 15: 13

As we leave this place,

and scatter back out into the world,

may the God of hope—

who loves us and gave himself for us—

fill us with all joy and peace

as we trust in Him,

today and throughout the coming week,

so that in believing,

we may abound in hope,

through the love of Jesus Christ,

and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Advent Prayer: Preparing for Christmas

Here’s an Advent prayer from Fr. Henri Nouwen.

Advent Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Master of both the light and the darkness,

send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do

seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things

look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways

long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy

seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people,

walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”

~ written by Fr. Henri J. M. Nouwen. Posted on Patheos. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/yimcatholic/2012/12/an-advent-prayer.html

Gathering Words for Advent

Here’s a gathering rite or opening litany inspired by Isaiah 11:1-10: “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot….” It was written by Roddy Hamilton, and posted on Mucky Paws.

Gathering Words

(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10)

From the bulb there comes a flower
from the desert rock a flow of water
from the rainbow there come the hope of life
from the bible there comes the word of truth
from the cross there comes the love of God
from the tomb there comes the resurrection
from the prophet comes the vision of new earth

but from the stump
from this dried out log
from a family tree that has lost all integrity…

…there comes the shoot of David
the lifeline of salvation
the promise of justice
the longing for transformation
the word of life
the expectation of Messiah

from the stump of Jesse
comes a covenant
reborn

Opening Prayer: In You Alone

Here’s an opening prayer from John Birch’s Faith and Worship website.

Opening Prayer

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Father, Creator and Sustainer,

who gives all good things

seen and unseen.

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Son, Saviour and Redeemer,

who died for our sins

and rose again.

In you alone we put our hope,

God the Spirit, Teacher and Comforter,

who moves us to sing

“Our God reigns!”

In you alone we put our hope.

~ written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship. http://www.faithandworship.com

Advent Prayer: Matthew 3: 1-12

Here’s a prayer from Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy. It was inspired by Matthew 3: 1-12.

Advent Prayer

(inspired by Matthew 3: 1-12)

Prepare, for the day of God's coming draws near!
We are here. What is there to prepare?

Prepare for peace.
Holy God, may the divisions between us be erased.

May we, people of all backgrounds, walk with one another;

listen to one another;

bear one another's burdens.

May we be peacemakers in everything we say and do.

Prepare for hope.
Merciful God, when we look around,

the promises of your Kingdom seem so distant.

Grant us tenacity:

to bring light where there is darkness;

peace where there is strife,

comfort where there is despair.

Let the light of your presence shine in us,

so that all may know that the darkness will not win.

Prepare for God.
Almighty God, you stripped yourself entirely to come into this world.
Weak, fragile, and dependent,

you gave yourself into the care of an unwed teenager.

In following you, may we become as vulnerable.

May we strip away all that protects us, all that we hide behind,

and let it burn like chaff.

May our actions bear fruit that glorifies you,

eternal God, love incarnate. Amen.

~ written by Eliza Buchakjian-Tweedy, Pastor at First Church Congregational, Rochester, NH. She blogs at http://sermonizing.wordpress.com/

Isaiah 11: A Creed

Here’s an affirmation of faith inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10, the suggested scripture reading for the second Sunday of Advent, Year A.

We Believe

(inspired by Isaiah 11: 1-10)

In that day, the wolf and lamb will live together…. Isaiah 11:6

Jesus has taught us to speak of hope as the coming of God’s Kingdom.

We believe that God is at work in our world

turning hopeless and evil situations into good.

We believe that goodness and justice and love will triumph in the end,

and that tyranny and oppression cannot fast forever.

One day ‘all tears will be wiped away’

and ‘the lamb will lie down with the lion.’

True peace and true reconciliation are not only desirable,

they are assured and guaranteed.

This is our faith, and our hope.

~ from Third World Solidarity Day, from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, 1987. Posted in Liturgy, Justice and the Reign of God Integrating Vision and Practice http://www.jfrankhenderson.com/pdf/LJRG.pdf