Below are some worship resources which you are welcome to use at no charge. Please just use a copyright acknowledgment "Copyright Lisa Frenz. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission."
P: Presiding Minister
A: Assisting Minister
C: Congregation
Stand = Congregation Stands as able
Sit = Congregation Sits
Order for Holy Communion
Prelude & Lighting of Altar Candles
Stand
Call to Worship & Lighting of the Advent Wreath
(spoken over music)
A: There is an ember of hope -
C: The banked fire of creation -
A: The promise of God
C: To Adam
A: To Eve
C: To us.
A: It glows in every heart;
C: In every soul it seeks to burst into flame.
Refrain: "O Come", or other appropriate refrain/song
Words & Music: Lisa Frenz copyright 2001
(The Advent Wreath is lit during the song.)
Repeat song as necessary.
A: Here is the ember of hope:
P: In a story passed on through the ages,
C: In a love surpassing all loves,
A: In a God who sacrifices self,
P: In the birth of a child
C: Who is God,
A: Jesus of Nazareth,
P: Emmanuel, God with us.
C: An ember whose flame will kindle the world.
Gathering Song
Prayer of the Day
P: Let us pray,
(The Prayer of the Day is said.)
C: Amen.
Sit
Special Music (optional)
First Lesson
Psalm (may be spoken or sung or chanted)
Second Lesson
Stand
Gospel Verse (spoken over music)
A: Reclaim us, O Lord of Love.
P: O Ember of God, breathe warmth into us,
C: Enkindling our hearts anew.
A: Transform us, O Lord of Light.
P: O Ember of God, forge lives that are yours,
C: Inviting our deeds for you.
A: Distill us, O Lord of Life.
P: O Ember of God, open eyes that are blind;
C: Revealing your Word to us: the burning essence of life.
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. ___ the __ chapter
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
(The Holy Gospel is read)
P: The Word of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Sit
Music for Meditation
Message
Stand
Theme Song
Advent Creed
We believe in one God, who is Creator, maker of all we see and all we don't see. Who is Ruler of the universe: Source of all creation!
We believe in one God, who is Jesus Christ, God from God, Light from Light, true God and true human. He is one with the Creator; the Word made flesh, our Messiah: Savior of all creation!
We believe in one God, who is Holy Spirit, Breath of God moving among us. Who is one with the Creator; one with the Christ; our Comforter and our Guide: Mentor of all creation! (LF)
Prayers of the Church
The Greeting of Peace
P: We are forgiven and reconciled with God. Let us be reconciled with one another. Peace be with you.
C: And also with you.
(All may greet one another in the name of the Lord.)
Sit
Offering
Stand
Offering Song
Offering Prayer:
A: Let us pray,
C: O God of all grace, we thank you for the gifts you have given us: our lives, our talents, our goods. We return them to you so that you may use them and us for your purpose in this world. Let the glow of your fire shine in our souls that we may be your light to the world. Amen.
Communion Litany:
P: In the beginning, O God, there was only you. We lived with you, walked with you, and your presence was like the light of a thousand suns blazing. Yet we turned away from that light and walked into the dark. We hid from the glory of your fire. Our eyes were blinded by your brightness. Even so, you did not turn from us. You gave us the promise of a new light, the hope of our reconciliation. You promised us your Son.
C: We await the fulfillment of your promise. We look into the dark, with eyes unused to your radiance, and see an ember burning. Renew our eyes. Send us your light, O God.
P: In the beginning, O God, there was only you. And you moved to save us from our blindness, to lead us from our dark wanderings, and to bring us back into the light of day. Little by little you have revealed your light. Little by little you have accustomed us to the coming fire. Through Sara and Abraham, through Jacob and Isaac, through Moses and David, through Mary and Joseph, you have slowly uncovered the ember of our hope still burning. You have revealed to us Christ Jesus.
C: We have walked with Sara. We have walked with Abraham and all your prophets. We have tried to open our eyes to the light. Help us to see again. Help us to endure the light of your coming. Send us your light, our hope and our salvation. Send us your Son. Send us Jesus.
P: In the beginning, O God, there was only you: Creator, Word and Breath. And from that beginning we see our birth. From that beginning we see our salvation. From that beginning we see our source of life.
C: Come loving Parent. Come Lord Jesus. Come Holy Spirit. Come to us now.
P: For the promise of our salvation, the ember of life still burning, is Christ Jesus who comes as one of us, who comes to save us, who comes to lead us into the light.
In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took the bread, and gave thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
After supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying, "This cup is the new covenant which is in my blood. Do this in remembrance of me"
For as long as you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again.
C: Through God and with God and in God is all glory and honor, all life and light, now and forever. Amen.
P: Let us pray the prayer Jesus has taught us,
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and for ever. Amen.
Sit
Communion Song
Distribution of Communion
Stand
P: Now may the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you always in God's light and grace.
C: Amen.
Post-Communion Prayer
The Blessing:
P: May Almighty God,
protect you, guide you and uphold you in faith.
C: Amen.
P: May Almighty God,
lead you ever into the bright glory of God's promise.
C: Amen.
P: May Almighty God, the great I Am,
love you, bless you and keep you,
now and always;
in the name of the Creator, the Savior, the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
Sit
Community Announcements
Stand
Sending Song
Postlude