| Preparation | |
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Before the service begins, the altar candles are lit and, after the first Sunday in Advent, the Advent candles of previous weeks are lit.
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| The Services | |
| THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT : HOPE | |
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The first candle of Advent is the candle of Hope.
We light this candle to remind us that our hope is in Jesus and to watch for His return. | |
| Light the first candle. | |
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Let us pray : Loving God, we thank You for the hope You give us.
As we worship You this morning draw out of us the darkness of the world, and fill us with the light of hope. Help us to prepare our hearts for the Lord's coming. We ask in the name of the One born in Bethlehem. Amen. | |
| THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT : PEACE | |
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The first candle of Advent is the candle of Hope; the second is the candle of Peace.
We light this candle to remind us that our Lord Jesus brings peace to all who trust in Him. | |
| Light the second candle. | |
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Let us pray : Loving God, thank You for the peace You give us through Jesus.
May Christ's light shine in our lives, showing us the path of peace between God and all people. Help us to prepare our hearts to receive His peace. We ask in the name of the One born in Bethlehem. Amen. | |
| THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT : JOY | |
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The first candle of Advent is the candle of Hope; the second is the candle of Peace; the third is the candle of Joy.
We light this candle to remind us that Christ is the bringer of true and everlasting joy. | |
| Light the third candle. | |
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Let us pray : Loving God, we thank You for the joy You bring us.
Through Your Son we have found joy in living as Your children. Help us to prepare our hearts for this gift. We ask in the name of the One born in Bethlehem. Amen. | |
| THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT : LOVE | |
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The first candle of Advent is the candle of Hope; the second is the candle of Peace; the third is the candle of Joy; the fourth is the candle of Love.
We light this candle to remind us how Jesus, the light of the world, came to show us God's love. | |
| Light the fourth candle. | |
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Let us pray : Loving God, we thank You for Your gift of love - shown to us perfectly in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Help us to prepare our hearts to receive His love. We ask in the name of the One born in Bethlehem. Amen | |
| CHRISTMAS : JESUS | |
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The time of waiting is over; our Lord is born.
Now we light the Christ candle to remind us that all of God's gifts - Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love - are to be found in God's greatest gift, His Son, Jesus Christ. | |
| Light the Christ candle. | |
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Let us pray : Almighty God, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, born of the Holy Spirit and of Mary.
Upon Him rests all Your grace, through Him comes all Your mercy. As the light shines from these candles, so may the light of Jesus shine within our hearts. Help us to make Your church the light of the world. We ask in the name of the One born in Bethlehem. Amen | |
( Some notes on the origin and form of the service, and acknowledgments, can be found here. )
Alan Creak,
2002 December.