Welcome and Call to Worship

Advent Liturgy

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

    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,

    the power, and the glory

    for ever and ever.

    Amen.

HymnGive Us, This Year

Tune: If Thou But Trust in God to Guide Thee

  1. Give us, this year, an adult Christmas
    since among adults first you came:
    not in a creche or kindergarten
    you showed your face and learned your name.
    Then let our adult lives attest
    that childlike trust you reckon best.

  2. Give us, this year, a worldly Christmas
    since it was to this world you came,
    sent to redeem all earthly matter;
    while fashioned in a human frame.
    Then for creation, help us share
    your kindly gaze, your constant care.

  3. Give us, this year, a peaceful Christmas
    since as the Prince of Peace you came.
    Still jealous Herods call for slaughter,
    still Caesars play their power game.
    When will earth’s politics portray
    peace is no prize? Peace is the way!

  4. And give us time for you, this Christmas
    since into time for us you came,
    bringing the voice that forged creation
    where it might gently say our name.
    Then let our hearts rejoice and sing,
    “Glory to God for everything.”

Scripture Reading Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, I Corinthians 1:3-9

Meditation

Special Music

Offering

Prayer of Intercession

Intimations

HymnChrist, Be Our Light

  1. Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
    Longing for truth, we turn to you.
    Make us your own, your holy people,
    light for the world to see.

    Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
    Shine through the darkness.
    Christ, be our light!
    Shine in your church gathered today.

  2. Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
    Longing for hope, many despair.
    Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
    Make us your living voice.
    [Refrain]

  3. Longing for food, many are hungry.
    Longing for water, many still thirst.
    Make us your bread, broken for others,
    shared until all are fed.
    [Refrain]

  4. Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
    Longing for warmth, many are cold.
    Make us your building, sheltering others,
    walls made of living stone.
    [Refrain]

  5. Many the gifts, many the people,
    many the hearts that yearn to belong.
    Let us be servants to one another,
    making your kingdom come.
    [Refrain]

Blessing


Give Us, This Year from Known Unknowns, John L. Bell and Graham Maule, 2018