PREPARATION
| O God, make speed to save us. | |
| All | O Lord, make haste to help us. |
| Come, O Lord, and visit us in peace; | |
| All | that we may rejoice before you with a perfect heart. |
PRAISE
Saviour eternal, life of the world unfailing,
light everlasting and our true redemption.
Taking our humanity in your loving freedom,
you rescued our lost earth and filled the world with joy.
By your first advent strengthen and sustain us,
by your second, set us free from fear:
that when the great light dawns and you come as judge of all,
we may be robed in immortality and ready, Lord,
to follow in your footsteps blest, wherever they may lead.
11th Century Advent hymn
THE WORD OF GOD
Psalm 85
1 Lord, you were gracious to your land;
you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the offence of your people
and covered all their sins.
3 You laid aside all your fury
and turned from your wrathful indignation.
4 Restore us again, O God our Saviour,
and let your anger cease from us.
5 Will you be displeased with us for ever?
Will you stretch out your wrath from one generation to another?
6 Will you not give us life again,
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what the Lord God will say,
for he shall speak peace to his people and to the faithful,
that they turn not again to folly.
9 Truly, his salvation is near to those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth are met together,
righteousness and peace have kissed each other;
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth
and righteousness look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed give all that is good,
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him
and direct his steps in the way.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Short Reading
You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day.
Romans 13.11-12a
RESPONDING TO THE WORD
After a space for silence:
My soul is waiting for you, O Lord: in your word is my hope.
All There is forgiveness with you,
so that you shall not be feared.
PRAYER
Along with your own concerns, hopes and expressions of thanks, you might like to pray for
The Church, that all Christian people may be ready for the coming of Christ
The nations of the world, that people may live in peace
Those who are working for justice in the world
Those who feel broken by life, that they may find God’s healing
Then gather up your prayers in this Advent prayer by Richard Baxter (1615-91) followed by the Lord’s Prayer:
Keep us, O Lord,
while we tarry on this earth,
in a serious seeking after you,
and in an affectionate walking with you,
every day of our lives;
that when you come,
we may be found not hiding our talent,
nor serving the flesh,
nor yet asleep with our lamp unfurnished,
but waiting and longing for our Lord,
our glorious God for ever. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen.
CONCLUSION
May the Lord make us ready for his coming in glory.
All Thanks be to God.