Liturgy

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, and
we light the fourth candle of Advent for love.

God, you could have come with miracle and magic,
in a flash of light, in a hurricane of judgment so that
the earth shook and the universe trembled.

But you chose to come in a baby’s newborn cry.
You chose to make your coming known to working
men on a cold hillside, to wandering scholars,
to an innkeeper, and to the beasts of the field.

Because you came as a baby, born to a young girl,
you brought miracle and magic and mystery into
ordinary things, and the whole of creation sings
at your coming and is blessed.

We pray God Emmanuel, be with us this Advent season,

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

Community Confession

On this fourth Advent Sunday,
let us pray to God as a community.
Our response will be highlighted in yellow.

Lord, give us courage to prepare for your coming.

When we are tempted to busyness this season,
slow our minds and still our hearts.

When we are tempted to enrich ourselves with things,
give us, instead, a longing for the riches of your kingdom.

When we are tempted to spend our
resources on ourselves who lack for nothing,
give us hearts to serve the poor and the hungry.

When we are tempted to celebrate
Christmas too early in our own way,
show us the joy of prayer and of waiting.

Lord, give us courage,
to wait for you in faith.

We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.

How can we reframe our interruptions and disruptions to help strip away our false self?
What are the things that we fear in our lives that we need to act against in our process of experiencing freedom?
What are some areas of our lives that we need to let go of control in order to fall into grace?

Benediction

Our God is a God that provides.
He gives you the grace you need to handle life’s surprises.
He gave you a name, a place.

Our God is a God that frees.
He gives you freedom of choice to face your fears.
He invites you to break from your plans to be surprised by joy.

Our God is a God of presence.
He fulfills his promise to remain with you.
He gave you a name, and a place.

Go from here, assured of God’s love for you,
that you can share it with all those you meet.

We pray in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
written by Sarah Berson

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

[Photo by Simon Byrne @ Flickr]