Tales of Faith Podcast on the Narrative Lectionary NL 315; Isaiah 61:1-11; NRSVUE for December 15, 2024
2024 Advent Candle Lightings
Week 3
Call to Worship (Responsive) (Isaiah 60)
Leader: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;
People: but the LORD will rise upon you, and God’s glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn…
Leader: The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you by night;...
People: for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.
Leader: Oh radiant dawn. Amidst the deep darkness of our world, your light has come! The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness does not overcome it. You call us as children of light, to bring your light to the darkness of our world, to systems and structures of darkness. You call us to bring your light to those in deep darkness, those who are in need of human compassion. You call us to bring your light to the darkness we try to hide in ourselves. We have seen your glory, the glory as of a parent’s only child, full of grace and truth. From your fullness we have received grace upon grace. Today we light the candle of joy, a sign of your growing light and life in the world. (Light 2 purple candles and 1 pink candle)
Hymn of Advent: #85 Light One Candle to Watch for Messiah (v. 3)
People: Today we gather as a community of light and life. We gather in the name of the one who is in deep solidarity with those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and in prison; and who are called to be in deep solidarity with them as well. May we be children of light! Amen.
Prayer of Confession (Unison)
Oh Spirit of God, you have come to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, and bring liberty to the captives. You come to make all things right, to lift up those who are downtrodden, and to bring down those who exult themselves. We admit that we are often too slow to hear your Spirit’s call. We have pity on the oppressed, broken-hearted, and imprisoned rather than giving them the dignity that they deserve. We do not receive this good news as good. We worry about the thrones and palaces that we have built. Help us to hear your word of liberation, both for those oppressed and for their oppressors. Anoint us with your Spirit, that we may rebuild what has been destroyed, that we may work for and proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon (Isaiah 63)
Leader: I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favor God has shown to us according to God’s mercy, according to the abundance of God’s steadfast-loving-kindness. For God has said, ‘Surely you are my people, children who do not deal falsely’: and God has become our savior in all our distress. Friends, believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus the Christ, our sins are forgiven!
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