Advent 4.1
Theme – Peace
Gather
This is the season of Advent, when we anticipate the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ. The nights are long…
…the darkness deep…
…but the reason for our peace draws near. He comes to interject himself into our world, messy and unclean though it is. Like the Israelites of old, we yearn for that expected arrival, and yet also as God’s people, we can miss the unexpected ways in which He comes to us even yet today.
Song – Carol of the Week
Confession
Giver of light…
…we confess to You that the darkness which surrounds us so often has its source in our own deeds and thoughts, for we turn away from the light to embrace those things which conceal our need for You, rather than be exposed by it. Forgive us, O Lord.
Song – We Have Waited
Prayers of the People
God of peace in times of turmoil and uncertainty, we pray this day for those in our community who are in need of the rest only You can provide. For those needs which are also known to us, we seek your intercession. [A time to list the publicly shared needs of the congregation as well as the community.]
Lord, in Your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
In this season when loss is felt most profoundly, whether it be loss of relationship, loss of dignity, or loss of purpose, help us serve those who bear these burdens, that we all may dwell in the hope You give, for this life and the one to come.
Lord, in Your mercy…
…Hear our prayer.
We also come to you with burdens of our own.
(a time for reflection and supplication)
Lord, in Your mercy…
…Hear our prayer.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Lighting of the Advent Candle/Song – In This Season (Week 4)
Reading – Matthew 1:18-24
Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).
When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.
Devotion
Song – Wintertide
Peace/Benediction
And now may the God who brings peace give us the serenity to wait for His miraculous plan this day, this week and this season, though we may be hurting deeply during its prelude. May we rest in the certainty that God is come to be with us. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Amen.
Next: Advent 4.x