Sunday Word & Prayer Advent1b

Sunday Word & Prayer –Advent1B

GOD WELCOMES US

We come to God

Be on watch, be alert,

for you do not know when the time will come. (Mark 13:33 TEV)

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Amen.

We confess our sin and God forgives us

Let us confess our sins in the presence of God and of each other.

We confess to you, almighty God,
before the whole company of heaven,
and to each other,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
by our own fault.
Have mercy on us, for Jesus’ sake,
forgive us all our sins,
and bring us to eternal life. Amen.

Maythe almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins.

Amen.

We light the Advent candle and pray

The true light was in the world,
and the world came into being through him;
yet the world did not know him.

The true light, who enlightens everyone,
was coming into the world.

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world.
You came to be born as a king in Bethlehem, the city of King David.
Be born in our hearts, and rule our lives today.

Amen.

We sing an Advent hymn/song

We pray Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel : you who lead Joseph like a flock!

You who are enthroned upon the cherubim :

shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh.

Stir up your might: and come to save us!

Restore us O God of hosts, let your face shine that we might be saved.

Restore us, O God : let your face shine, that we may be saved.

O Lord God of hosts: how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

You have fed them with the bread of tears : and given them tears to drink in full measure.

You make us the scorn of our neighbours : our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us O God of hosts, let your face shine that we might be saved.

Restore us, O God of hosts: let your face shine, that we may be saved.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand :

the one whom you made strong for yourself.

Then we will never turn back from you : give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts : let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Restore us O God of hosts, let your face shine that we might be saved.

We pray an Advent Prayer

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Jesus, Son of God,
you have promised to return
at a time that no one knows.
Keep us watchful in prayer
and strong in faith
as we wait for you to come.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

GOD SPEAKS TO US

We listen to God’s word

Old Testament Reading (Isaiah 64:1-9)

Hear the word of the Lord as it is written in the prophet Isaiah, chapter 64, verses 1 to 9.

(after the reading)

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Epistle Reading (1 Corinthians 1:3-9)

Hear the word of the Lord as it is written in St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 3 to 9

(after the reading)

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading (Mark 13:24-37)

Hear the gospel of the Lord as it is written in the Gospel according to St Mark, chapter 13, verses 24to37.

(after the gospel)

This is the gospel of the Lord

Praise be to you, O Christ

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for promising to return.

Help us always to keep watching

and to be awake and ready.

Amen.

We sing a hymn/song

We listen to the address

We confess our faith

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God,the Father almighty,

from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.

* ‘catholic’ here meaning 'universal'

GOD RECEIVES OUR OFFERING

We sing a hymn/song as our offering is received

We pray for ourselves and the world

Our Lord Jesus calls us to watch and pray, so let's do that now,responding to Lord, in your mercy with come and save your people.

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming in the flesh at Bethlehem, and for coming to us whenever we gather in your name. Keep us alert and watchful through the dark night of this world, and give us confidence as we wait for your coming in glory.