8/8/2019 Advent Liturgy1 Welcome Jesus

1/2

WELCOME JESUSAN ADVENT CAROL SERVICE

This liturgy was originally devised for the HCPT Carol Service held at Northamptons Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate & St Thomas of Canterbury inDecember 2009. It is structured around the lighting of the five candles of the Advent Wreath, with a reading and song and sometimes a reflection or symbolic

action at each of the five "stations". You will need: A largeAdvent Wreath, placed prominently & accessibly in the focal point or sanctuary area A Lectionaryor Bible for the readings A Baby Jesus Crib figure A crib or mangerto place Baby Jesus figure in, and the resources for the Symbolic Action - Cloth for the Cradle A copy of the Wild Goose Worship Group book Cloth for the Cradle(See resource list below)

The PowerPoint presentation to accompany this liturgy can be downloaded from our website at www.cjmmusic.com

Gathering O Come, O Come EmmanuelTtry the contemporary arrangement from Carols in the City, CD. If you have the CDsheet music and backing tracks can be downloaded from the resource website

Greeting &Opening Prayer

Let us pray:

Father in heaven,our hearts desire the warmth of your loveand our minds are searching for the light of your Word.Increase our longing for Christ our Saviourand give us the strength to grow in love,that the dawn of his comingmay find us rejoicing in his presenceand welcoming the light of his truth.We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.AMEN

Copyright ICEL

The Leader/Presider may say a fewinformal words of welcome to setthe scene and then lead of invitethe assembly to join in this prayer,which is the opening prayer for the1st Sunday of Advent.

Candle Lighting First Candle on Advent Wreath is lit

We light a Candle for hope

1st Reading Isaiah 9:1-7The People that walked in darkness Have seen a great light

Song Ready The Way(By Curtis Stephan)From Spirit & Song Book 2, no. 293

During this song, the SYMBOLICACTION below takes place

Symbolic Action Cloth for the CradleFrom the book "Cloth for the Cradle" Iona Community

"Manger" is prepared by membersof the assemblywho place strips of fabric withinit manger

Prayer/Litany Into the darkness of our world:COME LORD AND SAVE US,LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE ON US.

Into the confusion of our world:COME LORD AND SAVE US,WONDERFUL COUNSELLOR, BE OUR GUIDE.

Into violence of our world:COME LORD AND SAVE US,

PRINCE OF PEACE REIGN OVER US.

Come, Lord, Jesus:DO NOT DELAY

A Reader leads and the peoplemake the response in CAPITALS

Candle Lighting Second Candle on Advent Wreath is litWe light a Candle for peace

2nd Reading Luke 1:26-33 - The Annunciation

8/8/2019 Advent Liturgy1 Welcome Jesus

2/2

Song Hail MaryFrom The Promise CD by Boyce & Stanley

Candle Lighting Third Candle on Advent Wreath is litWe light a Candle for joy

3rd Reading Luke 2:1-7While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child

Song O Little Town(Verses 1 - 3)Try the melody by Boyce & Stanley from the Christmas EP Born in BethlehemFREE melody & chords download at www.cjmmusic.com

Link & Explanation After verse 3, as instrumental music continues gently, the Leader/Presider says thefollowing or similar words to introduce the Placing of Jesus in the mangerThey laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn.As we place the Baby Jesus in the manger that we have prepared for himhere, let us pray that this Christmas and always, we will be willing to makeroom for Christ to dwell in our hearts and work in our lives.

Procession Placing of Jesus in Mangermusic continues instrumentally

Song O Little Town (continues with Verse 4)

Candle Lighting Fourth Candle on Advent Wreath is litWe light a Candle for justice

4th Reading/Reflection AdorationFrom The Promise Resource Pack

Gentle instrumental music inbackground that segues intothe next song

Song Love Shone Down

Candle Lighting Fifth Candle on Advent Wreath is litWe light a Candle for faith

5th Reading: Luke 2:15-20Lets go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened

This reading is optional andmay be omitted

Leader Leader/Presider says the following or similar words to introduce the prayer:Christ comes to dwell in our lives once moreand so together we proclaim:

Prayer Welcome JesusFrom the book "Cloth for the Cradle" by The Wild Goose Resource Group

ALL SAY TOGETHERWords need to be on Screenor in service booklet

Dismissal Closing remarks, prayer and/or Blessing as appropriate

Song Hark The Ding Dong Gentlemen of Joy (Carol Medley)From The Promise CD by Boyce & Stanley

Or choose another suitable Carolor Advent hymn

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR THIS LITURGY

Spirit & Song, Vol. 2Music Book

Cloth for the Cradle

Worship Resource bookThe Promise

CD & Resource PackBorn in Bethlehem

Christmas CD (EP)