December 1, 2013 — First Sunday of Advent
Introduction
Brothers and sisters, today as we begin the season of Advent and a new church year, we might be aware of time. How little time we have to prepare for Christmas. How fast time flies. How precious our time is here on this earth — a time that will come to an end someday for each of us. Perhaps we should keep this in mind as we hear the message of the Gospel: Be prepared!
Penitential Act
Lord Jesus, you are Emanuel — our God-with-us: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you came to reveal God’s plan for humankind: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you call us to be ready to meet you on the last day: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Isa 2:1-5 There will be no more war.
Ps 122:1-9 Rejoice in the house of the Lord.
Rom 13:11-14 Throw off the works of darkness.
Matt 24:37-44 Stay awake! Be prepared!
Prayer of the Faithful
Presider My friends, Jesus was born and is born today wherever he is welcome. Let us pray today that Jesus will … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Minister So that all believers everywhere may be encouraged in their faith, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that all people may know that God loves them and cares for them, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that all people may see the face of God in each other, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that all people may live in peace with each other, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that all people may be cared for when they are in need and care for others when they are able, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
We remember those who have died … (names). That those who mourn may find comfort; those tempted to despair may be offered hope, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Presider Good and gracious God, you sent us the Lord Jesus to show us the way to you. Make ready our hearts and fill us with your presence so that we may be Christ-bearers to this waiting, needy world. We pray always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
December 8, 2013 – Second Sunday of Advent
Introduction
Brothers and sisters, on this Second Sunday of Advent we hear the preaching of John the Baptist: “Repent and prepare the way of the Lord.” What does his message mean in this time and place? What is the “way of the Lord” in our homes and neighborhoods, at work or school, even in this congregation today? What is the way of the Lord and how do we prepare? Let us pray today for wisdom and guidance so that we can make of our preparations for Christmas a preparation for Jesus to be born in us and in our world.
Penitential Act
Lord Jesus, today we are called to repent: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, today we are called to prepare: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, today we are called to welcome you: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Isa 11:1-10 The descendant of David will come; the Spirit of the Lord will be upon him.
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Justice shall flourish in God’s time.
Rom 15:4-9 May God grant you to think in harmony with one another.
Matt 3:1-12 Produce good fruit as a sign of your repentance.
Prayer of the Faithful
Presider My friends, let us heed the cry of John the Baptist and make ourselves ready to repent and prepare the way of the Lord, as we pray that Jesus will … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Minister So that the Lord’s way may be the way of our families, our friendships and our lives, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that there may be an end to abuse, brutality, war and violence of every kind, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that every child is provided nourishing food, clean water, adequate health care and a good education, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that our preparations for Christmas may reveal Jesus to those around us, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
We remember those who have died … (names). So that those who mourn may find comfort and companionship, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Presider Loving God, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for Jesus. Give us what we need to turn away from sin and embrace a life of grace, peace and love so that we also may announce your presence to our waiting world. We pray always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
December 9, 2013 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Introduction
Brothers and sisters, today we celebrate Mary. From the moment of her conception it was God’s plan that she would carry within her body the Son of God. We celebrate not only Mary, but God, who has a plan for each of us — a plan despite the hardships, the injustice, the struggles of this life. A plan even despite the bad things we do and the good deeds we leave undone. Let us pray today to be like Mary … to trust in God’s plan for us.
Penitential Act
Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you came to show us the way to holiness: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you came to show us how to say “Yes” to God’s plan: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Gen 3:9-15,20 Humanity’s fall from grace
Ps 98:1-4 All the earth has seen salvation by our God.
Eph 1:3-6,11-12 We are chosen and called to be holy.
Luke 1:26-38 The angel Gabriel announces the good news to Mary.
Prayer of the Faithful
Presider My friends, let us pray to be like Mary, trusting in God’s plan for us and resolving to say “Yes” to that plan as we pray that her son Jesus will … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Minister That we may be like Mary and say yes to God’s community of believers. That we may be like Mary and say yes to God’s desire for peace among the nations, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
That we may be like Mary and say yes to God’s love for every mother’s child, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
That we may be like Mary and say yes to God’s desire for justice for the poor, the imprisoned and those without a voice, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
That we may be like Mary and say yes to God’s plan for each of us, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Presider Good and gracious God, just as you chose humble Mary to be the Christ-bearer to the world, you choose us to play our small part in the care of this world you have given us. Hear our prayers this day for those who most need our prayers. We pray always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
December 15, 2013 – Third Sunday of Advent
Introduction
“Are you the One?” This is the question John the Baptist asks of Jesus as John waits in prison for his execution. Perhaps this is our question, too, when we are burdened by the struggles of this life and tempted to despair. We all need reassurance sometimes, especially when the world is harsh. On this Third Sunday of Advent, we are called to rejoice, for the Son of God really is the One, really is the answer to our prayers, really is our God-with-us who is born into our world.
Penitential Act
Lord Jesus, you are the one the prophets hoped for: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the one who speaks to our hearts: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the one who guides us to life eternal: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Isa 35:1-6a, 10 Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!
Ps 146:6-10 Lord, come and save us.
James 5:7-10 Be patient; the Lord is coming.
Matt 11:2-11 “Are you the one who is to come or should we look for another?”
Prayer of the Faithful
Presider John asks of Jesus, “Are you really the one for whom we wait?” And Jesus reassures him. Let us take comfort and courage from the message of Jesus and call on him to … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Minister So that the world will know peace, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that believers everywhere will stand together against violence, injustice and oppression, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that those who have not heard the good news will come to know God’s love through our life’s witness, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that those in prison will know repentance, compassion and hope, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that the sick are cared for, the fragile protected, and those who are dying know peace in their last days, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
We remember those who have died … (names). So that those who mourn will be comforted, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Presider Loving God, we believe that you created us in love and care for us each moment of each day. Fill our hearts with faith in your love for us and confidence in your power to provide what we need. We pray always in the name of Jesus. Amen.
December 22, 2013 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Introduction
Brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel passage is about Joseph: his confusion, his compassion, his trust in the Lord. Joseph is a worthy model for us when we are bewildered by events and uncertain of God’s plan for us. As we prepare for Christmas this week, let us ask God today for the patience and the faith of Joseph.
Penitential Act
Lord Jesus, you are Son of God and Son of Mary: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the King of Kings and the Prince of Peace: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you promise to be born in our hearts and into our waiting, needy world: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Isa 7:10-14 God invites us to ask for a sign.
Ps 24:1-6 Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.
Rom 1:1-7 Jesus, descendant of David, is the Son of God.
Matt 1:18-24 God sends Joseph a dream.
Prayer of the Faithful
Presider My friends, as we enter into this last week before Christmas, let us ask God for the faith and the generosity of Joseph and Mary, praying that Jesus will … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Minister So that there may be peace in the Middle East, the birthplace of Jesus, and wherever there is war, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that our homes are havens of hospitality and joy, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that on Christmas Day no child is hungry, no sick person is without comfort, no dying person is alone, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
So that all who long for love will love each person on their path; that all who seek God will know God in each person they meet, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
We remember those who have died … (names). So that those who grieve may find consolation and companionship, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Presider Loving Creator God, you call us to be like Joseph, heeding your voice in our dreams. You call us to be like Mary and say “Yes” to your plan. Give us open minds and hearts and the grace to answer your call so that we may know the birth of Jesus in our hearts this Christmas. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
December 25, 2013 – Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord
Introduction
Light has shone in the darkness. The grace of God has appeared. Jesus is born and he is our Emmanuel, our God-with-us; the source of our joy, our hope, our peace. Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters. Let us pray.
Penitential Act
Lord Jesus, you were born into our world poor and humble: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are born into our world today among the poor and humble: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are born in us today if we only invite you into our hearts: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Isa 9:1-6 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
Ps 96:1-3, 11-13 Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Titus 2:11-14 The grace of God has appeared.
Luke 2:1-14 Glory to God in the highest.
See three other sets of readings.
Prayer of the Faithful
Presider My friends, on this holy night (day), let us join with believers gathered in churches all over the world to pray for a peaceful and merry Christmas for all. Let us pray that Jesus will … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Minister For Christians everywhere: those gathered in cathedrals and chapels; those of every language and nation; those who are certain in their faith and those who struggle to believe; those who are joyful and those who are sorrowful, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
That the world may know every day the generosity and kindness extended today, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
That every mother’s child will be nurtured, safe, and loved, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
That each one of us here will be with loved ones today or love the ones we’re with, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Let us pause and pray for what we most need this day … (pause). So that the gifts we receive and the gifts we offer may all be signs of love, we pray … Be born in us; be born in our world.
Presider Good and gracious God, your Son Jesus is the light of the world, your gift to humankind, from the beginning of time to the end. Hear our prayers and help us to recognize your presence in our world, in the faces of each person we meet this day, and in our hearts. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.