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Year B

Sunday’s Coming: working toward December 11

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It’s amazing how fast Advent flies by. One minute we’re in the wilderness, the next minute we’re singing praise with two pregnant women. One minute, we’re praying for God to tear open the heavens, the next we’re proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. Maybe this week you’re contemplating the command to “rejoice always and pray without ceasing.” It is, for some of us, the Sunday when we light the pink candle of joy (and others of us have 4 purple or blue candles, since we can never remember which week is pink!). Perhaps you’ve chosen to save the Magnificat for next week and you’re going with the Psalm and its proclamation of all the great things God has done for us. Is anyone going with a season-long preparation theme, perhaps this week using John and the story of John the Baptizer preparing the way for the light?

So, what are you dreaming about this Advent? Are you conspiring with God, and working that into your worship life? Are you writing all new liturgy this year, or borrowing from a favorite resource (if you are, please share it in the comments!)? Are you following the lectionary, or flitting about in order to fit in special programs? Do you sing Christmas carols before Christmas, have a children’s pageant, or a cantata? What are you up to, and how can we work together for a creative and meaningful Advent liturgy?

Advent 2 call to worship, confession, assurance

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Second Sunday of Advent resources from Rev. Ross Reddick, Pastor First Presbyterian Church
Sylacauga, Alabama

Responsive Call to Worship: (based on Isaiah 40:1-11)

Leader: The voice of the Lord declares, “Comfort, O comfort my people”.
People: A voice cries out, “Prepare the way of the Lord!”
Leader: The earth will be transformed, God’s glory will be revealed.
People: We expect your arrival in fire and flame. Instead, we follow a star on a cold night.
Leader: You meet us in this place, as we remember your curious way.
People: As we wait, cleanse us. As we wait, mold us.
Leader: Our ears and eyes perceive no other god besides You, and so we worship this day.
People: We are all your people and we will wait for You.

Prayer of Confession: (based on Mark 1:1-8)

Forgive us, Lord, for the times we refuse to listen to those who announce your presence. Forgive us when we ignore the cries that come from the wilderness. Allow us to understand that, like John the Baptist, we too are unworthy before the Lord of All. Help us live into our baptisms. Remind us of the beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, and empower us to be the continuation of that Good News. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon / Declaration of Forgiveness (based on 2 Peter 3:8-15)

But do not ignore this one fact, beloved. With the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

The rest of the service

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Still working on your liturgy for Sunday?
Need ideas for you or your liturgist for those parts that are equally important, but aren’t in the bulletin?

Any prayer ideas for this Sunday? Do you do something special for communion during Advent?

To get things rolling, here is a Call to Confession based on the Mark text from Matthew Thompson, First Presbyterian Church, Lamesa, TX:

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John the Baptist tells us to, “Prepare the way of the Lord.” So we clean our homes and put out the decorations.

He says, “make his paths straight.” So we buy put up a Christmas tree and hang stockings.

He proclaims, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me.” So we buy gifts and attend parties.

But these things don’t prepare us for the coming Christ, the Son of God. Let us prepare our hearts for the coming of the one who changes everything. Let us pray . . .

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Share your thoughts and ideas with us here!