Advent Prayer Service | Advent 2C

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Advent Prayer Service

Advent 2C

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 3rd 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 - Responsive reading of Psalm 27
     Responsive reading w/ musical refrain of "Wait for the Lord" Glory to God #40

Prayer of the Day (inspired by Isaiah 12:2-6)
     Surely, God, you are our salvation.                          
     Help us to trust in you and not be afraid.  
     Come stir your strength and might that we might be your people
     and you will forever more be our God.
     Hear us, this evening, as we call upon your name.
     Hear our plea and hold us within your providence.  Amen.

Call to Confession
     As we continue this Advent journey,
     let us confess our sins before our merciful God,
     trusting that our prayer will be heard,
     and our sins will be washed away.

Prayer of Confession (inspired by Philippians 4:4-7)
     God of our peace,                                        
     we are called to rejoice in your holy and good name,
     and yet too often our voices are only used to complain.
     Your blessings surround us but our grumblings keep us distanced.
     Help us not to worry about the little things,
     but to trust your providence in our lives.
     Wash away our sins,
     that your peace may guard our hearts.
     Hear us, as we pray in your holy name.  Amen.

Assurance of Pardon
     The prophet Isaiah tells us that we will draw from the well of salvation.
     Hear the good news of the Gospel:
     through the body and being of Christ Jesus,
     God has come to save us from the dangerous waters of our sins
     and welcomes us to the refreshing waters of God’s forgiveness.
     Friends, I proclaim to you this day, our sins are forgiven.
     Alleluia!  Amen!

Prayer for Illumination
     Mysterious and Holy Spirit,
     come to us this evening as we gather in this dark hour.
     Fill us with your everlasting light,
     that we may see the wisdom of your scripture,
     and its message will be inscribed upon our hearts.
     Give us courage to follow your Word
     and to share it as we are called.  Amen.

Scripture reading - Zephaniah 3:14-20

Scripture reading - Luke 3:7-18

Time for Silent Reflection

Prayers of the People
     Saving God, we trust that you alone are our peace and our comfort.     
     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 the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
        go with you this today.
    May you know that you are held in the arms of a loving God.
    May you go in comfort, solace, and courage for whatever lies before you.

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

Departing music is optional

Click below for further liturgies for the season of Advent by Stephen M. Fearing

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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.