Advent Prayer Service | Advent 1C

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Advent Prayer Service

Advent 1C

Below is an order of worship that can be used or adapted for a casual, 20-30 minute Advent Prayer Service.  Inspired by the lectionary texts for the 2nd Sunday in Advent (Year C).  If a musician is unable to attend, these pieces can be found on YouTube and playing them from some speakers.

Opening Music - "Wait for the Lord" (Glory to God Hymnal #90)

Words of Welcome
     Welcome, all who are well and are who are ill.
     Welcome, those who seek comfort and those who seek solace.
     Welcome, you who are broken and weak.     
     All are welcome for God first welcomes us.

Prayer of the Day (inspired by Malachi 3:1-4)
     God of the Covenant,
     prepare your way within our hearts                         
     as we gather to follow your truth.
     Refine us, mold us to your path
     that we might be used as your people for your purpose.  Amen.

Call to Confession
     We believe that our God forgives sins with mercy and graciousness.
     Let us come before God to confess our sins with honesty and courage.

Prayer of Confession (inspired by Philippians 1:3-11)
     God of our hope,                                        
     you long for a relationship with us
     but we too often run away from you,     
     seeking to hide from that which gives us life.     
     Forgive us for the moments when we fear your newness,
     for times when we do not share the Gospel as we should,
     for our many shortcomings and failures.
     Forgive us, Lord, and welcome us into your Advent promise.     
     Bring us to a place where our love will overflow
     and we will be pure and blameless in your sight.
     May your goodness produce a harvest of righteousness
     within our hungry hearts.  Amen.

Assurance of Pardon
     Saints and sinners,
     remember that God calls you beloved
     no matter what you do or who you are.     
     Nothing we can do or not do will separate us from God’s love.
     We are confident that God has forgiven our sins. Alleluia!  Amen!

Prayer for Illumination
     Holy Spirit, come into our hearts and prepare this Advent path before us.     
     Guide our hearts to listen to your Word,
     teach us to know your paths,
     lead us to know you wisdom in the hearing of this scripture.  Amen.

Scripture reading - Luke 3:1-6

Scripture reading - Luke 1:68-79

Time for Silent Reflection

Song - "Prepare the Way, O Zion" (Glory to God Hymnal #106)

Prayers of the People
     Gracious God, we trust that you alone are our hope and our song.     
     In this period of Advent preparation,
     hear now our prayers as we lift them to you…

As the spirit moves you, you are invited to approach the font and light one or more candles to symbolize your prayer for a person or situation that you feel needs God’s attention this evening.

Responsive Benediction
     May God clothe you with peace and kindness in the days to come.
     May we be filled with the Spirit that heals and saves.
     May God surround you with steadfast love in this Advent season.
     May we be vehicles of that love to all whom we encounter.
     Go forth in peace and do the work of the coming Christ!

When the Spirit moves you, you are invited to depart in silence.

Departing music is optional

See below for additional liturgical resources for the 2nd Sunday in Advent

 

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Stephen Fearing

Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could every possibly separate him from the love of God. In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band. In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!). In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Practical Theology with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship. In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. Later that year, Stephen married the love of his life, Tricia, and they share their home on Shelter Island with their Golden Doodle, Elsie, and their calico cat, Audrey. In addition to his work with the people who are Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, Stephen currently serves as a commission from Long Island Presbytery to the Synod of the Northeast and, beginning in January of 2016, will moderate the Synod's missions team.