a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, Ridgefield Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church, Crystal Lake, IL.
God, we know you are knocking on our doors,
and we don’t always want to let you in.
The work of preparing, waiting, and clearing is hard.
But still you come, bringing light and life,
leading us ever more into your way.
Forgive our unpreparedness, come into our lives,
and help us to love you as you love us. Amen.
From Rev. Stephanie Anthony, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Hudson, Wisconsin
Confession
God of light and love, We confess our lack of attention to the prophets and messengers you send. We confess that we do not keep our eyes peeled and our ears open to the ways that you are revealing yourself and announcing your message in our lives. We confess that we dismiss those who might be speaking for you who in our minds are not old enough, not educated enough, not refined enough. Open our hearts, our eyes, our ears, and our minds to watch and listen for your Word being proclaimed among us this day and always. Amen.
Words of Assurance: (based on Isaiah 61)
L: Friends, We can rejoice in the Lord! With an everlasting covenant sealed by love and mercy, God has clothed us with salvation. God has covered us with righteousness. The prophets have promised this good news: In Jesus Christ, our coming Lord, we are forgiven!
P: My whole being shall exult in my God. In Jesus Christ we are indeed forgiven. Thanks be to God.
Third Sunday of Advent from Rev. Ross Reddick, Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Sylacauga, Alabama
Responsive Call to Worship: (based on John 1:6-8, 19-28)
Leader: With joy this day we anticipate the one who is coming, the arrival of the Messiah.
People: The one we call the Word! The one we call the Light.
Leader: Like John the Baptist, we are not the light. In our worship, we testify to the light.
People: Our testimony is prayer and praise, song and scripture.
Leader: Our testimony is preaching and teaching, learning, and serving.
People: May our testimony be a sweet sound in your ear, O God.
Prayer of Confession: (based on 1Thess. 5:16-24)
Mighty and powerful God, your word says, “Rejoice always.” But we would rather sulk about the things that don’t go right. Your word says, “Pray without ceasing.” But we go for days without even thinking about You. Your word says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” But our thankfulness is fleeting, because we think we deserve blessings. Your word says “Hold fast to what is good,” while we hold fast to sinful ways of thinking and acting.
Assurance of Pardon / Declaration of Forgiveness: (based on Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11)
The prophets of old have declared, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God. For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robes of righteousness. Friends, believe the good news: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
from Rev. Christopher Harrison, Pastor of Glendale Presbyterian Church, Glendale, CA.
Opening:
A voice cries out in the wilderness,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
All who are waiting, Hear!
All who hope, Listen!
The promise has been breathed into the fabric of history and
Its fulfillment is at hand:
The lonely will be comforted,
The orphan will be championed,
A light will shine in the darkness,
The lost will be searched for and will be found.
The path of salvation will be restored.
See, O people,
See the face of our Savior.
“The Lord’s glory will appear,
and all humanity will see it together;
the Lord’s mouth
has commanded it.”
Invitation:
If in the depths of your spirit you are crying out, “Come thou long expected Jesus;”
This table has been laid out for you.
For those who sing, “born to set your people free,” and desire to be set free;
The table of the Lord has a place for you.
If your heart aches to be released from fear and sin,
Receive the bread of Heaven and the cup of Salvation.
Those who find their rest in Jesus Christ,
are welcome here,
The feast of communion is prepared for you.
Come, taste and see that the Lord is good.
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.
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