The Days Are Surely Coming, Says the Lord

Sunday Word & Prayer –Advent1C

GOD WELCOMES US

We come to God

The days are surely coming, says the Lord,

when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israeland the house of Judah.

(Jer 33:14 NRSV)

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 25:1-10

In you, Lord my God,

I put my trust.

I trust in you;

do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame,

but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, Lord,

teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,

for they are from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youthand my rebellious ways;

according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.

Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

He guides the humble in what is right

and teaches them his way.

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful

toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.

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(Jeremiah 33:14-16)

Hear the word of the Lord as it is written in the prophet Jeremiah, chapter 33, verses 14 to 16.

(after the reading)

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Epistle Reading (1 Thessalonians 3:9-13)

Hear the word of the Lord as it is written in St Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, chapter 3, verses 9 to 13

(after the reading)

This is the word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading (Luke 21:25-36)

Hear the gospel of the Lord as it is written in the Gospel according to St Luke, chapter 21, verses 25to36.

(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.