Worship Aids

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Archives: Christmas Pack #3
Advent: A Time of Preparation

Worship Aids

• About the Author
• Introduction
• A Litany on Preparation
• Collects For the Sundays in Advent
• Extract from a Sermon: Jason's Birthday (in another file)
• LITANY ON CULTURAL RESISTANCE

Advent: A Time of Preparation

Worship Aids

About the Author

Milo Thornberry, Alternatives' long time former Executive Director, now serves a United Methodist Church in Oregon.

Introduction

Worship is the antiphonal proclamation of the Word of God and the corporate response of the people of God. It sets the tone for the life of the congregation. If churches are to point the ways to more meaningful and responsible Christmas celebrations, worship must be given special attention.

These Worship Aids have been prepared for use in a pre-Advent (probably in October or early November) worship service around the theme, "Where Shall We Find Him? Preparing to Celebrate the Birth of Christ," and during the four weeks of Advent.

The "Litany on Preparation" and "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" sermon extract are suggested for use in the pre-Advent worship service. The four collects for each of the Sundays in Advent are based on the four Advent passages from the Gospel of Luke. The songs are suggested for use in the children's Advent Bible studies, but may be used in the general worship as well. You are encouraged to adapt these "Aids" as you deem appropriate. They are intended to be suggestive of the tone and direction of the worship you plan. You may wish to modify them to fit your particular situation.

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A Litany on Preparation

ALL:

O God, who in the fullness of time sent your son Jesus in a manner that confounded kings but moved shepherds and wise men, guide us now as we prepare to celebrate his coming.

LEADER:

When we make our family plans for Advent and Christmas,

PEOPLE:

Help us prepare by making time to consider for whom we are preparing.

LEADER:

When we feel the pressure to buy and buy and buy,

PEOPLE:

Help us prepare by resisting.

LEADER:

When we consider all of the waste generated in our celebrations,

PEOPLE:

Help us prepare by, setting limits on what we will consume and throw away.

LEADER:

When our plans do not include those who are hungry, sick, lonely and in prison,

PEOPLE:

Help us prepare by looking for you in the right places.

LEADER:

When we make our Christmas lists for family and friends,

PEOPLE:

Help us prepare by remembering whose birthday it is.

Lord, forgive us when we forget who you are and why you have come. As we prepare to celebrate your coming, help us turn our backs on the crowds, like the wise men and shepherds, and risk appearing foolish to find you. As they looked for you in a stable, let us look for you among those you came to serve. Help us find you Lord. Amen.

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For the Sundays in Advent

COLLECT FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY: Luke 2:25-36

O God of all creation and history, Scripture reminds us of your presence in all the events in history, and calls us to watch for the signs of your coming in power and judgment. Grant, O Lord, that in this season we may be alert, undistracted by the hollow promises of tinsel and glitter, freed from shallow sentimentality, and thus able to see the signs of your presence as we celebrate your birth. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

COLLECT FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY: Luke 3:1-9

O God of the prophets, who sent John the Baptist to herald the coming of Christ, let us hear the call for repentance as preparation to make a way for the Lord, that mountains of selfishness and hills of injustice shall be leveled, that the crooked paths of deceit and national pride be straightened, and the rough places of collective neglect be made smooth, so that your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven. In the name of him who came and who is coming. Amen.

COLLECT FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY: Luke 3:10-20

O God, who shows us that the night is far spent and the day at hand, let us not delay our repentance, and let it not be in word alone: as with those who asked John the Baptist "What are we to do," let us share what we have, take from others only what is fair, and resist the temptation to bully and manipulate those over whom we exercise authority, so that our lives will be good news and in that day when the grain is winnowed we will not be found to be chaff. In the name of the one for whose coming we prepare. Amen.

COLLECT FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY: Luke 1:50-56

Almighty God, Lord of all: principalities and powers, governments and corporations, families and congregations, let the words of Mary's song remind us that with his coming we look toward a day when the imperial powers will have been brought low, the humble lifted up, the hungry satisfied, and the rich sent away empty. In anticipation of that day, help us to order our lives in such a way that we feed hungry people, clothe the naked, welcome strangers, care for the sick people, and visit prisoners, so that we may stand in your presence unashamed. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

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Jason's Birthday

Extract from a Sermon: Jason's Birthday (in another file)

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LITANY ON CULTURAL RESISTANCE

Ephesians 6:10 19

LEADER 1:

"Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of God's mighty power. Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's tricks."

PEOPLE:

We need strength. Our best intentions to live responsibly are undermined-not only by our lack of determination, but by forces beyond ourselves.

LEADER 1:

"For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. "

LEADER 2:

The powers and principalities have forgotten God and humanity and pursue their ends like a soulless, evil machine.

LEADER 1:

"So put on God's armor now! Then when times of testing come, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end' you will still hold your ground. "

PEOPLE:

What is God's armor? How can we put it on?

LEADER 1:

"So stand ready, with truth a tight belt around your waist."

LEADER 2:

We are surrounded by deceptions. Advertisements, government officials, and people filing income tax returns lie as a matter of course. We are isolated from each other by mistrust.

PEOPLE:

We will stand ready, wearing truth as a belt so that we can trust each other and be united.

LEADER 1:

"Stand ready, with justice and kindness as your breastplate."

LEADER 2:

Injustice seems to be the way of the world. The poor go to jail and the rich go free. Powerful nations take advantage of weak nations. The poor are criticized because of their poverty.

PEOPLE:

 

We will put on the breastplate, doing whatever is just and kind wherever we are.

LEADER 1:

"Put on shoes, the readiness to announce the good news of peace. "

LEADER 2:

War and rumors of war are everywhere. In the world, in our towns, and even in our families, competition turns into ruthlessness.

PEOPLE:

We will put on the shoes, running to spread the good news that peace is possible-among nations, among neighbors, among congregations, among families.

LEADER 1:

"At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by Evil One."

LEADER 2:

We feel powerless to change things. Sometimes we feel like fools for even trying. We are always under pressure to compromise what we believe.

PEOPLE:

We will carry the shield of faith to deflect our doubt and the cynicism of our culture, to protect our vision of a future that does not have to be a continuation of the past.

LEADER 1:

"Accept salvation as a helmet. "

LEADER 2:

We lose confidence in ourselves because we don't have enough money, enough clothes, the right cars' cosmetics and mouthwashes. We are afraid that no one will love us.

PEOPLE:

We will wear the helmet as a crown, reminding w of our worth, which does not depend upon what we possess.

LEADER 1:

Take as your sword, the ward of God. "

LEADER 2:

We are besieged by voices in our culture that encourage us to live only for ourselves without regard for our impact on others or the earth

PEOPLE:

We will take up the word of God as a sword to cut through the falseness of popular culture and show the way to a society where kindness, justice and the environment are more important than greed.

LEADER 1:

"Do all this in prayer asking God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. Keep alert and never give up."

LEADER 2:

We are not accustomed to prayer, except in church and at the table. Our society has no regard for the inner life.

PEOPLE:

We will pray on every occasion and never give up.

ALL:

O Lord, God of power and love, strengthen us with your armor for the struggle at hand. Grant us wisdom to understand the forces that confront us and give us the courage to stand our ground, that your will might be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

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