Advent Candle Readings 2018 for Presbyterian Church

Updated to include Christmas Eve and an Advent Carol of response.

Information technology's fourth dimension for Advent wreath liturgies over again. This year I've done my utmost to necktie the Narrative Lectionary texts to the Advent theme words (hope, peace, joy and love) past choosing curt sections of Psalms to come up before a responsive reading, followed by lighting the candle for the week. Yous'll see the sermon title/weekly theme I'll be using at the beginning of each week's liturgy. The phrase repeats in the liturgy itself. I've included a suggested hymn to follow each week; they are all from the New Century Hymnal, in use at the UCC church I serve. I've also written a thematic carol to use, with weekly verses, which you can find here: Now Information technology's Time to Calorie-free the Candle (REGENT SQUARE or PICARDY). All texts are NRSV.

Permission is granted to use these liturgies and/or the carol; I ask that you get out a annotate telling me your church proper noun and location, because I love knowing where they are going.

Appearance 1 – The Book of Hope – two Kings 22:ane-10, [14-twenty]; 23:1-three

Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our assist and shield.
Our heart is glad in him,
because nosotros trust in his holy proper noun.
Let your steadfast beloved, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we promise in y'all. (Psalm 33:20-22)

One: Something's coming.
Many: Nosotros're waiting. We're eager.
One: It'due south more than presents.
Many: It's more than lights.
One: We open the Volume of Hope and read the hope.
Many: God will exist with u.s.a..
One: Our hearts are glad; we trust God's holy proper noun.
Many: God'southward never-ending honey surrounds u.s.a..
One: Today nosotros light the candle of Promise.
(Low-cal the starting time candle.)
All: Our hope is in the Lord.

Suggested Hymn of response – O How Shall I Receive You

Appearance 2 – The Hope of Peace – Isaiah forty:1-11

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his true-blue, to those who plough to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at mitt for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast dearest and faithfulness will see;
righteousness and peace volition kiss each other. (Psalm 85:8-ten)

1: Can you hear information technology?
Many: What is it?
Ane: God's Word is coming.
Many: We're listening. Nosotros're eager to hear.
One: A vocalism cries out and declares the Promise of Peace.
Many: Nosotros stand up in awe.
One: Things are going to even out in the world.
Many: All people volition comprehend each other.
One: Today we low-cal the candle of Peace.
(Calorie-free the second candle.)
All: Our peace comes from God.

Suggested Hymn of response – Information technology Came Upon the Midnight Articulate

Advent 3 – The House of Joy – Ezra 1:1-4; 3:one-4; x-thirteen

O send out your light and your truth;
permit them pb me;
permit them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling.

Then I volition go to the chantry of God,
to God my exceeding joy;
and I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God. (Psalm 43:3-4)

I: It's getting closer.
Many: We experience information technology!
One: The days are shorter, but the lights burn brighter.
Many: We're listening. We're eager to hear skilful news.
One: Nosotros've gathered together in the Business firm of Joy.
Many: We're here to praise God with our voices.
I: We're here to praise God with beautiful music.
Many: We're here to praise God with all we accept.
One: Today we light the candle of Joy.
(Light the third candle.)
All: We worship God with exceeding joy!

Suggested Hymn of response – On Christmas Night All Christians Sing

Appearance 4 – The Language of Love – Luke 1:5-xiii, 57-80

I will sing of your steadfast beloved, O Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast dearest is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, "I have fabricated a covenant with my chosen i,
I have sworn to my servant David:
'I will establish your descendants forever,
and build your throne for all generations.'" (Psalm 89:1-4)

One: New life is coming.
Many: We can count it in days now.
One: God is breaking through.
Many: God's Word will alter the globe.
One: We will all be changed by the Language of Love.
Many: The covenant has come down through the generations.
One: The love of God is never-catastrophe.
Many: We give thank you for God's faithfulness.
One: Today we light the candle of Dear.
(Light the fourth candle.)
All: We give thank you for God'due south steadfast Dearest.

Suggested Hymn of response – Dearest Came Down at Christmas

***

Christmas Eve – The Word Incarnate – John 1:i-v

In the offset was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Discussion was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into existence through him, and without him not ane thing came into beingness. What has come into existence in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The calorie-free shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome information technology.

I: Every yr we light our candles.
Many: Nosotros watch the flames flicker with wonder.
One: God's light is here.
Many: This light is life for all people.
Ane: The darkness volition never overcome information technology.
(Light the Christ candle.)
All: The Word is with the states. Thanks be to God.

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Source: https://marthaspong.com/2015/11/06/advent-wreath-liturgies-for-narrative-lectionary-year-2/

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