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: Wilderness

Here’s a call to worship for Advent from Ann Siddall and the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community.

Wilderness

We have wilderness and dry land

at the heart of Australia.

We may not venture into it very often

but we know it is there,

it has its place on our maps.

More familiar to us, however,

is the wilderness in our own hearts,

the empty spaces in our own lives,

the desert of longings

that engulf us at Christmas.

Wilderness is a hard place,

but also a place of beauty and grace,

revealed by its sunsets and sunrises,

the glow of ancient rocks,

the moon shining on the sand.

Do not be afraid

of the desert places in your life,

for it is here

that the Good News

may be heard most profoundly.

May it be so.

~ 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/

Advent Confession: Prepare the Way of the Lord

Here’s an advent confession inspired by Luke 3:4 (Isaiah 40:3, John 1:23, Mark 1:3). It comes from the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website.

Prayer of Confession for Advent

(inspired by Luke 3:4, Isaiah 40:3, John 1:23, Mark 1:3)

The voice of one comes 
crying out in the wilderness 
… prepare the way of the Lord.

A messenger prepares the way, 
transforming us like the refiner’s fire 
… calling us to account.

For the prophets of old have spoken, 
announcing the breaking open of the dawn 
… guiding our feet in the way of peace.

Merciful God forgive us… 
Forgive us when we are quick 
to point the finger at someone else. 
Forgive us when we put our heads down 
and ignore the cries of injustice. 
Forgive us when we presume to understand 
the complexity of issues that divide and distract 
the peoples of the land your feet once walked.

Merciful God... 
forgive us, heal us, 
encourage us and speak through us, 
that we may be transformed through the refiner’s fire, 
and the offerings of our hands and our hearts 
may prepare the way for the Christ child 
to be welcomed among us in peace.

~ originally posted on the Monthly Prayers page (now Weekly Worship) of the Christian Aid website. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/churches/weekly-worship

Advent Call to Worship: Prepare the Way

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by Psalm 85 and Mark 1. It was written by R. Victor Klassen.

Call to Worship for Advent

(inspired by Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 and Mark 1)

We come to worship the God of forgiveness,
who pardoned all our sins.

We come to worship the God who sent a messenger saying

“Prepare the way of the Lord!

Make a straight path.”

We will listen to what God has to say

– a voice that speaks of peace,

peace for the faithful,
those whose hearts are turned to God.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
and righteousness will look down from the sky.

The LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him

and will make a path for his steps.

~ written by R. Victor Klassen

Call to Worship & Prayer: Isaiah 40: 1-11

Here is an opening prayer for Advent from the Literature & Liturgy website. It utilizes Isaiah 40:1-11, one of the suggested scripture texts for Advent 2, Year B.

Call to Worship & Opening Prayer for Advent

(inspired by Isaiah 40:1-11)

Can you hear?
A voice is heard in the darkness,
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

Make way! Level the valleys! Straighten the paths!
Prepare the way for his coming:
The coming of the Lord!

God, your servant cries out to us:
Repent; turn and be restored.

Can you hear?

God, open the ears of our souls
to hear your word of salvation.

God, on the second Sunday of Advent,
Open wide our hearts and our minds
To see, feel, hear, and know the salvation of our God.
Amen.  

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

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: Renouncing Fear

Here’s a prayer from lutheran julia. It was posted on RevGalBlogPauls.

Renouncing Fear: A Prayer

“Say to those who have an anxious heart,

‘Be strong; fear not!’” Isaiah 35:4

Phantasm of fear, I renounce you!

I refuse to call you “spirit” for you are not of God.

You work to oppose the creative forces of the Lord in life and resurrection.

Your efforts will not last.

And you know this.

Delusion of fear, I renounce you!

You may talk loudly, boastfully.

You may bring your buddies, death and destruction, as backup to your threats.

You know your days are numbered.

There is no fear in the life to come.

Specter of fear, I renounce you!

Your work of dividing, fomenting, pain-causing…

We will overcome. With God on our side,

You cannot stand.

Perfect Love, the kind that comes from Christ, casts out fear.

Revenant of fear, I renounce you!

Shrivel and die, you impotent thing!

You may plant, but you will not reap.

You may build, but you will not inhabit.

You may fish, but you will not catch.

There is no home for you, no toe hold, no place of belonging.

You are banished to wither and die… fertilizing the soil of hope and joy.

So be it.

In the name of Christ, so say we all.

~ written by lutheran julia and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/

Opening Prayer for Blue Christmas worship

Here’s an opening prayer for a Blue Christmas/Longest Night worship service.  It was posted on the Telling Secrets blog.

Opening Prayer for Blue Christmas

God of abundant mercy,

you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,

even though our hearts are broken

and our voices tremble with grief and sorrow.

Comfort, comfort, Lord, your Holy people.

Comfort those of us who sit in darkness,

mourning 'neath our sorrow's load.

Speak to us of the peace that awaits us,

of the balm of healing for our weary and wounded souls.

We ask all this, trusting in the promise you have made

to hear the prayers of two or three

who have gathered in the Name of your Holy Child, Jesus. Amen. 

~ from a longer Blue Christmas liturgy, posted on Telling Secrets. http://telling-secrets.blogspot.ca/2006/12/o-holy-night.html

Advent Prayer: Make Us Count

Here’s a prayer for Advent from lutheranjulia.  It was posted on RevGalBlogPals.

Advent Prayer: Make Us Count

           

Lord,

we have pulled out the Advent wreath,

the Christmas tree, the poinsettias.

We dusted off the hymns, unsung for a year,

and unearthed the words of your prophets.

Yet, in your eyes,

these efforts are for nothing without the regular, persistent,

deep pursuit of justice for all people.

Our efforts are hollow without consistent work toward peace,

reconciliation, and participation in your mission for creation.

In our hearts, we do long to be your people,

to carry out your mission, to be lights in the darkness—

proof that no darkness can overcome your truth.

Awaken us to action.

Stir us to courage.

Rouse us to prepare a way in the wilderness for your coming,

clearing the brush of oppression, racism, injustice, and hopelessness—

so that all may see your light and perceive your coming.

Amen.

~ written by lutheranjulia, and posted on RevGalBlogPals. http://revgalblogpals.org/

Prayer: A Call to Repentance

Here’s a prayer of thanksgiving and commitment inspired by the call of John the Baptist.  It was written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship.

A Call to Repentance

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

As streets fill with shoppers
Bright lights and tempting offers
Christmas songs and children’s laughter
You lead us along a different path
To a desert river and a Prophetic voice
A call to repentance
A call to service
A call to immerse ourselves
In living water that will never run dry
A call to prepare a way in our own lives
For the Saviour of the world to enter in
To know the touch of tender mercy
And rest in your forgiving love

For your faithful prophets
And your Living Word
We give you thanks. Amen

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

Call to Worship, Opening Prayer: Prepare the Way

Here’s a responsive call to worship and opening prayer from Rev. Susan A. Blain. 

Call to Worship

(inspired by Matthew 3: 1-12, Romans 15:7)

The Reign of God is drawing near:      

The prophet calls us to change our lives!

Prepare the way for the Lord:

A just and peaceful path!

             

Welcome one another, for Christ welcomes you:

For the glory of God!

Opening Prayer

Holy God,

We long for your peace, and trust in your promise;

we hear your call to turn toward you,

to change our lives and welcome you in.

Meet us here and fill

our minds with your wisdom

and our hearts with your peace,

that our worship together

may open us to the challenge

of your dream of wholeness for all.

In the Name of the One who is coming, we pray.  Amen!

~ written by Rev. Susan A. Blain, in To Dream God’s Dream: Service Prayers for the Second Sunday of Advent.  Posted on the United Church of Christ’s Worship Ways website. http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/year-a/ace/advent-service-prayers.html

Prayer Litany: John the Baptist

Here’s a brief litany on the theme of John the Baptist.  It was written by John Birch, and posted on Faith and Worship.

Litany

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;

for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

to give his people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins... Luke 1: 76-77

In the lonely places
The wilderness
Where we stand forlorn
Windswept and alone
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord

In the dark places
The shadows
Where we hide our fears
Embrace our tears
Your voice calls out
Prepare a way for the Lord

Because of the tender mercy of our God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven

to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,

to guide our feet into the path of peace. Luke 1:78-79

As the rising sun comes to us each dawn
Shine upon those who live in darkness
That all might know the joy of our salvation
The forgiveness of sins
And your great mercy

For the desert places in which we walk
The streets we roam
The paths we cross
Guide our feet
Take us to places
Where you would go
Give us words that you would use
That in this Advent season
Of promise and preparation
We might point the way with John the Baptist
To the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

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

Advent Prayer: Come Once Again

Here’s a prayer for the first Sunday of Advent from the Ministry Matters website. (Because of the close connection with Jeremiah 23:1-6, it might also work well on Proper 29C or Proper 11B.  You’d just need to make a few revisions.)

Advent Prayer

Your season comes, Lord.

Come once again,

and feed your flock like a shepherd.

Come once again,

and gather up the children, the oppressed,

the sick, the lonely, the humble,

and the rejected of the earth.

Turn our hearts to the least of your children,

for if we lose them,

we become lost.

Reconcile us to you

and to those we have hurt.

At this Advent,

join us together with neighbors, with strangers,

and especially with our own household.

Bring us to your light

in our time of darkness,

through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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

Advent Prayer: Between Hope and Fulfillment

Here’s an Advent prayer adapted from weekly Advent reflections by Mark Pierson.  It was posted on Facebook.

Advent Prayer

God in this season
suspended between hope and fulfillment,
let we never forget what you have done.
May we be overwhelmed by your mercy,
which flows in wave after wave.
May we be honest about the darkness within us,
and perceptive of the light around us.
May we make straight the path for the Lord,
that together we may see God’s glory revealed.

~ adapted from weekly Advent reflections by Mark Pierson. http://adventinart.org/)

Call to Worship: Prepare the Way

A voice cries out:

“Prepare for God’s arrival!

Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.

Fill in the valleys, level off the hills.

Smooth out the ruts, and clear out the rocks.

For our God is coming!

Let’s worship together.

Prayer Reflection: Isaiah

Here’s a prayer reflection inspired by either Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 40:1-4, 9-11.  It was written by Anne Osdieck.

Prayer Reflection

(inspired by Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11)

Here is my servant whom I uphold,

my chosen one with whom I am pleased

We cry

in the wilderness.

The land we walk is rugged and rough.

We find no straight highways.

Only deep valleys and

high mountains.

Jesus,

a light for us

and for all nations,

grasp us by the hand.

Open the eyes of the blind,

bring prisoners out from their cells,

from the darkness those whose eyes are

blinded.

Come to us with your power and might.

Come and comfort

your people.

Like a

shepherd,

gather us as

lambs in your arms

~ written by Anne Osdieck.  Posted on The Sunday Website of Saint Louis University. http://liturgy.slu.edu/BapLordC011313/main.html

Advent Commissioning: Ready to Share

Here’s a closing litany for Advent from Rev. Gord’s Worship Offerings blog.

Closing Commissioning

Can you be a voice crying in the wilderness?

Can you proclaim that God is active in the world?
Maybe?
The time is near, of the crowning of the year.
We sing with angels,

setting the roadways and the buildings humming 
As people who are being changed,

we go into a world that is being changed.
Ready to share the Good News

that the long expected Jesus is coming,

that we are being freed from whatever binds us. 
Glory be to God!

Who walks with us, sings with us, and struggles with us,
each and every day. Amen

~ posted by Rev Gord on his blog, Worship Offerings. http://worshipofferings.blogspot.ca/

Opening Prayer: Psalm 85

O Lord, be gracious to us.

Look upon your people with mercy.

Forgive our sin.

Bring us back again,

as you have done before.

Speak your word to us—

a word of peace to those who follow faithfully. 

For we know, without doubt, that Your salvation is near;

your glory fills this place.

Let your unfailing love and truth come together among us;

let your righteousness and peace surround us.

Pour out your goodness upon us,

that we may worship and serve you all our days. 

Amen.