Adapted from Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

Leader: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

People: on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Leader: The Light that is the Word of God, God incarnate

People: Let us worship as we wait for the newborn king!

Submitted by Stuart Strachan Jr.

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Adapted from John 8:12

Leader: Jesus says to you and to me:

“I am the light of the world.

People: Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,

But will have the light of life.”

Leader: Let us fix our eyes upon the true Light as we gather in worship today.

Austin D. Hill (NIV)

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Responsive Song of Mary (Magnificat), Luke 1:46b-55 (NRSV)

 “My soul magnifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him

from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm;

he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,

 and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,

 and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

in remembrance of his mercy,

according to the promise he made to our ancestors,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

(NRSV, adapted for liturgical use)

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Adapted from Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)

Pastor: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.”

All: “for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”

Pastor: “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”

All: “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Submitted by Dustin Ray (Lk 1:46-47, 49-50, 54-55, ESV, adapted for liturgical use)

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Adapted from John 3:17 and Psalm 46:1-3

Pastor: “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (Jn 3:17, NIV)

All: His love endures forever

Pastor: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” (Ps 46:1-3, ESV)

All: His love endures forever.

Pastor: Let us worship God.  

Adapted by Dustin Ray

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leader: Come, let us be about our preparations for a new advent of love among us.

people: The wastelands of life around us cannot shut out the promise of life-giving water.

leader: Hatred and warfare, injustice and suffering, are not the last word, for they are not of God.

people: We hear again the promise of peace, coming in the one who lived Shalom among all people.

leader: We see again the light God promises in the midst of our darkness.

people: We are feeling again the joy that comes through partnership in the gospel.

leader: May our worship recall us to what is centered in life; to the One who gives us breath and purpose in life.

people: We come to embrace the new advent, to be renewed in faith, hope, and love.

Ruth C. Duck Ed., Flames of the Spirit: Resources for Worship, Pilgrim Press, 1985.

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Adapted from Isaiah 40

“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

A voice of one calling:

“In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord.

Make straight in the desert a highway for our God

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;

The rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,

And all people will see it together.”

Austin D. Hill (Is 40:1, 3-4, NIV, adapted for liturgical use)

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Based on John 1/Matthew 25

You came to us, Word made flesh, to show us what it means to love.

You came to us, Word made flesh, to teach us how to serve. 

You came to us, Word made flesh, to remind us to clothe the naked and feed the hungry.

Come to us now, Holy Wisdom, Holy Word. Love us, teach us, and feed us as we worship you together now. 

Alleluia! Amen.  

Ellen R. Dawson

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Advent Call to Worship

In the midst of frenzied shopping

and end-of-year weariness,

we spread out a purple cloth,

(a purple cloth is spread over the communion table)

read again the ancient stories,

(a Bible is placed on the table)

and light a candle in the darkness,

(a candle or an Advent wreath is placed and lit)

to celebrate a visitation.

Gathered here we declare our intention to live

as if the greatest gift in the world

were about to be placed into our hands

(a wrapped parcel is laid on the table),

and as if the Giver has understood

our deepest needs, our most heartfelt prayers.

Like Mary,

may we be surprised by our calling;

like Simeon and Anna,

may the years increase our faith;

like sleepy shift workers on a hillside,

may our eyes be opened;

like Joseph may we listen to our dreams;

for this season requires our creative imagination.

There is a Presence in our world that asks to be seen,

who will stay awake?

There is a coming to our world that seeks a welcome,

who will offer hospitality?

Even now Jesus Christ is moving towards us.

Ann Siddall, Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community.