Advent through the Ages
circa 60 a.d. through 1800 a.d.
First Sunday in Advent
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."
Advent through the Ages is a series of three services which follows Christian worship from approximately 60 a.d. to the present. This is the first of the three orders of worship. When substituting words or music please be sensitive to the time frame of the service and choose language and/or music "of the day". Much of this service is adapted from the Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century. Translations of the complete service can be found on the internet. I will warn you that because of the language most congregations will find this service the most "foreign" and in some ways the most "uncomfortable". Also, as a point of interest I put all the dates, etc. into the bulletin as you see them here,although I usually put the tune name and copyright information (if any) below the text/music.
There are only three orders for Advent, because we did a special children's service on the Fourth Sunday in Advent. However, it would be very easy to do a "traditional" modern liturgical setting as your Third Sunday and a "praise" or "contemporary" service as the Fourth Sunday. LF
Order of Worship
Prelude & Lighting of Candles
Stand
Greeting:
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
P: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, the one, simple and undivided Trinity, that unites and sanctifies us through itself, and brings peace to our lives, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
C: Amen.
Confession & Forgiveness: (spoken)
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
C: O Sovereign Lord our God, condemn me not, defiled with a multitude of sins: for, behold, I have come to this Thy divine and heavenly mystery, not as being worthy; but looking only to Thy goodness, I direct my voice to Thee: God be merciful to me, a sinner. I have sinned against Heaven, and before Thee, and am unworthy to come into the presence of this Thy holy and spiritual table, upon which Thy only-begotten Son, and our Lord Jesus Christ, is mystically set forth as a sacrifice for me, a sinner, and stained with every spot. Wherefore I present to Thee this supplication and thanksgiving, that Thy Spirit, the Comforter, may be sent down upon me, strengthening and fitting me for this service, and [so,] count me worthy[], in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom Thou art blessed, together with Thy all-holy, and good, and quickening, and consubstantial Spirit, now and ever, and to all eternity. Amen.
Gathering Song: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Text: Liturgy of St. James (c.60); tr. Gerard Moultrie, 1829-1885, alt.
Music: PICARDY; French folk tune, 17th cent.
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly-minded,
for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descending
comes our homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture,
in the body and the blood,
he will give to all the faithful
his own self for heav'nly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way;
as the Light of light, descending
from the realms of endless day,
comes, the pow'rs of hell to vanquish,
as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry:
"Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia, Lord Most High!"
Prayer:
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
P: Compassionate and merciful, long-suffering, most merciful and true Lord, look down from your holy dwelling-place, hearken to us, your, suppliants, and deliver us from every trial and temptation, both diabolic and human. Do not deprive us of your help, nor bring upon us heavier chastisement than we are able to bear. For we are not capable of conquering what opposes us, while you, Lord, have power to save us from all adversities. Save us, O God, from the difficulties of this world in accordance with your goodness, so that, having [approached] your holy altar with a pure conscience, we may, without condemnation, offer [to] you with the heavenly Powers the blessed and thrice-holy hymn, and hav[ing] accomplished the divine ministry that is well-pleasing to you, we may be found worthy of eternal life. For holy are you, Lord our God, [] you dwell and take your rest in the holy place[; ] to you we offer glory and the thrice-holy hymn, to Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
C: Amen
Praise Song: Of the Father's Love Begotten
Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413; tr. composite
Music: DIVINUM MYSTERIUM; plainsong, mode V, 13th cent.
Of the Father's love begotten
ere the worlds began to be,
he is Alpha and Omega,
he the source, the ending he,
of the things that are, that have been,
and that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore.
Christ, to thee, with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee,
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
and unwearied praises be:
honor, glory, and dominion,
and eternal victory
evermore and evermore! Amen
Prayer of the Day
Sit
Suggested Choir Anthem: The Heavens are Telling (Hayden arr. Shafferman)
From The Creation - 1798
1st Scripture Reading
Scripture Song: Lo, How a Rose Is Growing
Text: German, 15th cent.; tr. Theodore Baker, 1851-1934, sts. 1-2; Harriet R. Krauth, 1845-1925, st. 3; John Caspar Mattes, 1876-1948, st. 4
Music: ES IST EIN ROS; Alte Catholische Geistliche Kirchengesang, Koln, 1599
Lo, how a rose is growing,...darkest midnight hour.
2nd Scripture Reading
Gospel Song: Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel
Text: Psalteriolum Cantionum Catholicarum, Koln, 1710; tr. composite
Music: ADESTE FIDELES; French processional, 15th cent.
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Oh, come, oh, come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Refrain
Stand
Holy Gospel
Sit
Music for Meditation
Message
Stand
Theme Song: Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying
Text: Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878, alt.
Music: WACHET AUF; Philipp Nicolai, 1556-1608
Wake, awake, for night is flying,
the watchmen on the heights are crying;
awake, Jerusalem, at last.
Midnight hears the welcome voices,
and at the thrilling cry rejoices:
"Come forth, you maidens! Night is past.
The bridegroom comes! Awake;
your lamps with gladness take!" Alleluia!
Prepare yourselves to meet the Lord,
whose light has stirred the waiting guard.
Zion hears the watchmen singing,
and in her heart new joy is springing.
She wakes, she rises from her gloom,
for her Lord comes down all-glorious,
the strong in grace, in truth victorious.
Her star is ris'n; her light is come.
Oh, come, you Blessed One,
Lord Jesus, God's own Son. Sing hosanna!
We go until the halls we view
where you have bid us dine with you.
Now let all the heav'ns adore you,
and saints and angels sing before you.
The harps and cymbals all unite.
Of one pearl each shining portal,
where, dwelling with the choir immortal,
we gather round your dazzling light.
No eye has seen, no ear
has yet been trained to hear, what joy is ours!
Crescendos rise; your halls resound;
hosannas blend in cosmic sound.
Testimony of Faith:
The Apostles’ Creed c. 1st or 2nd Century
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I Believe in Jesus Christ, God's Only Son, Our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended to the dead. On the third day, He rose again; He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayer Song: Comfort, Comfort Now My People
Text: Johann G. Olearius, 1611-1684; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878, alt.
Music: FREU DICH SEHR; Trente quatre pseaumes de David, Geneva, 1551
"Comfort, comfort now my people;
tell of peace!" So says our God.
Comfort those who sit in darkness
mourning under sorrow's load.
To God's people now proclaim
that God's pardon waits for them!
Tell them that their war is over;
God will reign in peace forever.
Community Prayers
Sit
Offering
Stand
Offering Song: On Jordan's Banks the Baptist's Cry
Text: Charles Coffin, 1676-1749; tr. composite
Music: PUER NOBIS; European tune, adapt. Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621
On Jordan's banks the Baptist's cry
announces that the Lord is nigh;
awake and hearken, for he brings
glad tidings of the King of kings!
Then cleansed be ev'ry life from sin;
make straight the way for God within,
and let us all our hearts prepare
for Christ to come and enter there.
Offering Prayer:
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
The Priest says this prayer from the gates to the altar:
A: God Almighty, Lord great in glory, who hast given to us an entrance into the Holy of Holies, through the sojourning among men of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord, and God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, we supplicate and invoke Thy goodness, since we are fearful and trembling when about to stand at Thy holy altar; send forth upon us, O God, Thy good grace, and sanctify our souls, and bodies, and spirits, and turn our thoughts to piety, in order that with a pure conscience we may bring unto Thee gifts, offerings, and fruits, by the grace and mercies and loving-kindness of Thy only-begotten Son, with whom Thou art blessed to all eternity.
C: Amen.
After the approach to the altar, the Priest says:
P: Peace be to all.
C: And to thy spirit.
Eucharistic Prayer:
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
P: The love of the Lord and Father, the grace of the Lord and Son, and the fellowship and the gift of the Holy Spirit, be with us all.
C: And with thy spirit.
P: Let us lift up our minds and our hearts.
C: It is becoming and right.
P: Verily it is becoming and right, proper and due to praise Thee, to sing of Thee, to bless Thee, to worship Thee, to glorify Thee, to give Thee thanks, Maker of every creature visible and invisible, the treasure of eternal good things, the fountain of life and immortality, God and Lord of all: Whom the heavens of heavens praise, and all the host of them; the sun, and the moon, and all the choir of the stars; earth, sea, and all that is in them; Jerusalem, the heavenly assembly, and church of the first-born that are written in heaven; spirits of just men and of prophets; souls of martyrs and of apostles; angels, archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, and authorities, and dread powers; and the many-eyed cherubim, and the six-winged seraphim, which cover their faces with two wings, their feet with two, and with two they fly, crying one to another with unresting lips, with unceasing praises -
With loud voices singing the victorious hymn of Thy majestic glory, crying aloud, praising, shouting, and saying:
C: Holy, holy, holy, O Lord of Sabaoth, the heaven and the earth are full of Thy glory. Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The priest, making the sign of the cross on the gifts, says:
P: Holy art Thou, King of eternity, and Lord and giver of all holiness; holy also Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom Thou hast made all things; holy also Thy Holy Spirit, which searches all things, even Thy deep things, O God: holy art Thou, almighty, all-powerful, good, dread, merciful, most compassionate to Thy creatures; who didst make man from earth after Thine own image and likeness; who didst give him the joy of paradise; and when he transgressed Thy commandment, and fell away, didst not disregard nor desert him, O Good One, but didst chasten him as a merciful father, call him by the law, instruct him by the prophets; and afterwards didst send forth Thine only-begotten Son Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, into the world, that He by His coming might renew and restore Thy image; Who, having descended from heaven, and become flesh of the Holy Spirit and Virgin God-mother Mary, and having sojourned among men, fulfilled the dispensation for the salvation of our race; and being about to endure His voluntary and life-giving death by the cross, He the sinless for us the sinners, in the night in which He was betrayed, nay, rather delivered Himself up for the life and salvation of the world,
Then the priest holds the bread in his hand, and says:
P: Having taken the bread in His holy and pure and blameless and immortal hands, lifting up His eyes to heaven, and showing it to Thee, His God and Father, He gave thanks, and hallowed, and brake, and gave it to us, His disciples and apostles, saying:
A: For the remission of sins and life everlasting.
Then he says aloud:
P: Take, eat. This is my body, broken for you, and given for remission of sins.
C: Amen.
Then he takes the cup, and says:
P: In like manner, after supper, He took the cup, and having mixed wine and water, lifting up His eyes to heaven, and presenting it to Thee, His God and Father, He gave thanks, and hallowed and blessed it, and filled it with the Holy Spirit, and gave it to us His disciples, saying, Drink ye all of it; this is my blood of the new testament shed for you and many, and distributed for the remission of sins.
C: Amen.
P: This do in remembrance of me; for as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord's death, and confess His resurrection, till He come.
A: We believe and confess.
C: We show forth Thy death, O Lord, and confess Thy resurrection.
Lord's Prayer:
C: 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 ever. Amen.
Table Song: Soul, Adorn Yourself With Gladness
Text: Johann Franck, 1618-1677; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978
Music: SCHMUCKE DICH; Johann Cruger, 1598-1662
Jesus, source of lasting pleasure,...so favored, never leave you.
Sit
Distribution of Holy Communion
Stand
Dismissal from Holy Communion:
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
P: O God, great and marvelous, look upon Thy servants, for we have bowed our heads to Thee. Stretch forth Thy hand, strong and full of blessings, and bless Thy people. Keep Thine inheritance, that always and at all times we may glorify Thee, our only living and true God, the holy and consubstantial Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, now and ever, and to all eternity.
C: Amen.
Thanksgiving Song: Arise, My Soul, Arise!
Text: Johan Kahl, 1721-1746; tr. Ernest E. Ryden, 1886-1981, alt. (c) 1958 Service Book and Hymnal, admin. Augsburg Fortress
Music: NYT YLOS, SIELUNI; Finnish folk tune
Now hear the harps of heav'n!... resound through heav'n again.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Prayer:
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
A: Fill our mouths with Thy praise, O Lord, and fill our lips with joy, that we may sing of Thy glory, of Thy greatness all the day.
C: We render thanks to Thee, Christ our God, that Thou hast made us worthy to partake of Thy body and blood, for the remission of sins, and for life everlasting. Do Thou, in Thy goodness and love, keep us, we pray Thee, without condemnation.
Blessing :
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
A: In the peace of Christ, let us go forth.
C: In the name of the Lord. Sir, give the blessing.
P: You have given us sanctification, Master, by the communion of the all-holy Body and precious Blood of your only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Give us too the grace of your good Spirit and keep us blameless in the faith and guide to perfect sonship and redemption and the everlasting enjoyment to come, for you and your only-begotten Son and your all-holy Spirit are our sanctification and enlightenment, O God, now and forever and to the ages.
Advancing from power to power, and having completed in your church the whole divine ministry, we now ask you also, Lord our God, count us worthy of your perfect love for humankind. Make straight our way, root us in your fear, have mercy on us all, and declare us worthy of your heavenly kingdom in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom you are blessed and glorified, with your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
C: Amen
Sit
Community Announcements
Stand
Sending Song: Prepare the Royal Highway
Text: Frans Mikael Franzen, 1772-1847; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 (c) 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Music: BEREDEN VAG FOR HERRAN; Swedish folk tune, 17th cent.
Prepare the royal highway;... foretold in sacred story:
Refrain Hosanna to the Lord,... God's Word!
God's people, see him coming:...shall doubt assail you! Refrain
Then fling the gates wide open...join your singing: Refrain
His is no earthly kingdom;... kindness so abounding: Refrain
Dismissal:
Adapted From Divine Liturgy of St. James, c. 1st-4th Century
A: May we be guarded in the peace of Christ.
P: Blessed is God, who blesses and sanctifies, protects and gives peace, and preserves the life of us all through the communion of his holy, immaculate and life-giving mysteries, which we have been counted worthy to receive, always, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.
C: Amen.
Postlude