Liturgy

Emmanuel, God with us,
Savior to captives and prisoners everywhere,
at the celebration of your birth
be with each lonely soul
exiled behind bars.

Emmanuel, God with us,
Savior to leaders and rulers everywhere,
at the celebration of your birth
protect those with power
from temptations of tyranny and exploitation.

Emmanuel, God with us,
Savior to families and friends in pain,
at the celebration of your birth
cheer spirits with your advent
in the darkness of every heart.

Emmanuel, God with us,
Key of David, who can unlock any door,
may we honor your birth
and find you in the faces of those we cherish,
and in those we do not know.

Emmanuel, God with us,
We light the second candle of peace,
hoping you will calm our world from turmoil,
and we celebrate your holy presence with us.

Congregational Prayer

On this second Sunday of Advent, let us pray to God as a community.

God of love,
all year long we are tempted to pursue power and money,
yet you came in weakness, as a child.

All season long we want more of everything, more for us,
but you alone offer what is lasting.

Through the work of our Lord Jesus,
who comes among us full of grace and truth,
forgive us, heal us, correct us.
Then open our lips,
that we may sing your praise with all the saints.

When we allow darkness to overcome the light,
forgive us, Lord.
When we reduce Christmas to plastic and tinsel,
have mercy on us, Father.

When the hardness of our hearts keep us
from seeing and believing in your Song,
let your grace fill us, O God.

Forgive our doubts
and renew our hope in Christ alone,
that we may watch and wait
and once more hear the glad story of our Savior,
Jesus Christ, the Lord.

In the name of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, we pray.
Amen.

Reflection

What would it look like for us to wait during Advent?
Instead of solely being critical, what are some alternative expressions we can offer during this Advent season?

Benediction

Depart in peace, and take with you the certain knowledge
That Jesus is always coming into the world.

We will seek Jesus, not in a long ago stable or ancient manger,
But in the people we meet and in the depths of our own hearts.

May the blessing of Christmas make you a blessing to others;
May the peace of the season pervade all that you do.

We will welcome the challenge of discipleship.
We will offer ourselves as God’s ministers.
We will go forth in hope, peace, joy, and love as one church.

In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by cameron23 @ Flickr]