Advent 2B
Link to Prior Entries for the Day: 2011
Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):
Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources
Isaiah 40:1-11 Roman Catholic reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 85:9-14
2 Peter 3:8-15a Roman Catholic reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14
Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal
The Oremus Hymnal offers many good choices for the lectionary (although this 2010 version will have incorrect calendar dates). Not all are available in Chalice Hymnal, but some may be helpful in congregations where there is not a Chalice Hymnal available. Visit the Oremus Hymnal.
121 – Prepare the way of the Lord
700 – O day of God draw nigh
122 – Comfort, comfort you my people
153 – It came upon the midnight clear
More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.
Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:
Since Chalice Hymnal does not provide a complete Psalter, there will be occasions when suggestions may be made for alternate Psalm use (or hymn equivalent). A metrical version of the Psalter, for those Psalms not provided in Chalice Hymnal, is being prepared by Rev. David Chafin. Where practical, these may be offered here as well. You may also want to visit http://www.modernpsalter.com/ or
This week: Not a Psalm equivalent, but #710 may serve well as a responsive reading that “fits” the day.
Hymn of the Day from Rev. William Flewelling (© 2013, William Flewelling; All rights reserved)
On Mark 1:1-8
This beginning, in the promise,
in the word, the wilderness,
has inclined our noblest vision
to attend the Baptist’s cry.
Here, the messenger proceeding,
cries the voice: Prepare the way.
Ever in these preparations,
ever in the symmetry
that devises expectation
and arouses eagerness:
here we tarry to consider
how repentance must unbind.
All this labor of the Baptist,
clothed in camel’s hair and rough,
borne upon the wilderness, lone
and singular and earnest –
points unto the one who’s coming
to baptize in Spirit’s tide.
8.7.8.7.8.7. Suggested tune: Alleluia Dulce Carmen
Note: Except where otherwise noted, items are created or adapted by the editor. If you are aware of source notations which are missing, please bring them to his attention. No copyright infringement is intended, but is sure to happen.
Prayer of Approach
L: The Lord be with you.
P: And also with you.
L: Let us pray. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we would be open to your presence, O God. Free us from the seasonal sentimentality that turns our attention from the sometimes painful decision to pursue peace and justice. Through this worship, nudge us toward seeking reconciliation rather than revenge, the well-being of all rather than the victory of the few. Speak to us of peace, O God, and hear us as we pray in the name and spirit of Christ (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)
Intercessions
O God of all, God of shalom, we come before you with hearts seeking to know and understand the words of the prophets, the words of the angels, the words of peace that rise around us in this holy season. We pray that you will open us to the meaning of peace, that you will teach us the way of peace, that we will indeed understand your will for justice for all of your world. Help us to be faithful to the call that you have put on our hearts to live as people of hope.
This joyous season puts many demands on our lives. We pray that you would slow us down, open our hearts, and our eyes, that we may see the beauty of the season, feel the joy of hope and peace alive within us and live our days in celebration.
For so many this season is, however, a season of sadness and pain. So many are struggling with illness, some with routine colds and flu, while others are touched with illness that threatens their lives. We pray that you will touch us all with your healing balm and that you will look with favor and blessing upon them. May we all understand the gift of life that you have given us.
Give us grace and hope to live our days as your people, for it is Jesus’ coming that we celebrate and it is through his name that we lift our prayers, for he is indeed our Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Prayers from Common Worship*
Collect
O Lord, raise up, we pray, your power
and come among us,
and with great might succour us;
that whereas, through our sins and wickedness
we are grievously hindered
in running the race that is set before us,
your bountiful grace and mercy
may speedily help and deliver us;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
Post Communion
Father in heaven,
who sent your Son to redeem the world
and will send him again to be our judge:
give us grace so to imitate him
in the humility and purity of his first coming
that, when he comes again,
we may be ready to greet him
with joyful love and firm faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Additional Collect
Almighty God,
purify our hearts and minds,
that when your Son Jesus Christ comes again
as judge and saviour
we may be ready to receive him,
who is our Lord and our God.
Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to
preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation:
Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins,
that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our
Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect of the Day from Rev. William Flewelling (© 2013, William Flewelling; All rights reserved)
Mark 1:1-8
Discovering the Spirit, O God,
is all we hope. There is the water:
so known, familiar, clear.
As John baptized unto repentance
we follow in repentance
desiring all the more
your Holy Spirit to adore.
Service of Table
Preparation (Invitation)
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who have lived in the shadow of death the light has shined. With the prophet’s words, let us joyfully participate in sharing the life-giving work of God in our world today through the giving of our tithes and offerings.
Offertory Prayer
May these gifts indeed give light to those in darkness, hope to those in despair, and justice to the oppressed, as we bring them to you as an act of sharing your love with the world. Here the proud are brought low, and the poor and broken lifted up. May it be so in all your kingdom, we pray, as we dedicate ourselves to you. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)
God of all peace, we gather at your Table in expectation and faith. Send down your Holy Spirit upon us to knit us together as one people of peace, as we break this bread and drink this cup, proclaiming Christ’s death and looking forward to his coming reign of peace. May we who gather here know your abiding presence, and live confidently as makers of peace in this world which you love so dearly.
Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.
[if not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”]
MORE…
Resources from the Jubilee Fund: This stewardship ministry serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) offers weekly emails for each Sunday’s service. Visit http://www.thejubileefund.com/ to learn more.
You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.
Intercessions and other helpful planning materials geared to the Lectionary (using Roman Catholic version, but normally quite useful for all traditions) for preaching and worship are supplied for several weeks in advance at The Sunday Website of St. Louis University.
Liturgies created by Moira Laidlaw (Uniting Church in Australia) as a part of her doctoral dissertation are often helpful. Read more here.
Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2014. Compiled by Simon Kershaw October 2014 from the Common Worship Calendar and Lectionaries using Almanac Maker; compilation © Simon Kershaw 2014; Almanac Maker © Simon Kershaw 2010. The Revised Common Lectionary is copyright © the Consultation on Common Texts 1992. The Daily Eucharistic Lectionary is adapted from the Ordo Lectionum Missae of the Roman Catholic Church reproduced by permission of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Adaptations and additions to the RCL and the DEL, together with Second and Third Service lectionaries and the Weekday Lectionary for Morning and Evening Prayer are copyright © the Archbishops’ Council 1997-2010. http://almanac.oremus.org/lectionary
Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.
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