A Traditional Service For Advent Part I

The following service is a creative adaptation of the traditional pattern and texts for worship in the season of Advent. It will be of particular help for those who plan more formal Advent worship. For others, the commentary included with this service will provide a guide to thoughtful planning for the Advent season.

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP WITH GOD'S PEOPLE Commentary: The setting for Advent worship is very important in conveying the nature of the season. Banners, paraments (cloths that cover the Communion table and pulpit), bulletins, printed liturgies, or worship-folder covers may be designed to reflect the colors, symbols, and primary characters of the season. The colors of the season are blue, which suggests hope, and purple, which suggests penitence. Traditional Advent symbols include the stump or root of Jesse (Isa. 11), a blooming desert (Isa. 35), and the shepherd of Israel (Isa. 40:9–11; Ps. 80). Biblical characters associated with the narratives of Advent include John the Baptist, Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Isaiah. It can be very effective to coordinate the symbols, colors, and texts used on banners, paraments, and bulletin covers, especially when these reflect the sermon topic of a given Sunday. Whatever choices are made, great care should be given to avoid any of the secular symbols of the Christmas season. Gathering of the Congregation, with organ, piano, or instrumental prelude Commentary: Pre-service music should also be chosen to reflect the appropriate mood of the season. The excited joy of Christmas carols should be saved for Christmas day. Instead, music should reflect a deep sense of yearning or expectation. Arrangements of the most familiar Advent, not Christmas, hymns will serve to set this mood, while allowing worshipers to focus on the texts of hymns as they prepare for worship. The texts of unfamiliar hymns should be printed in the printed liturgy for this purpose. Entrance Prayer Leader or People: Almighty God, our hearts yearn for your presence. Be with us now as we listen to your Word and offer the prayers and praises of our hearts. Teach us to rely on your promise of salvation. Prepare our hearts for the glorious coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Commentary: Advent is a penitential season, during which time worshipers prepare for the coming of Christ. Like the preservice music, the opening of the service should be meditative. The entrance prayer may be preceded or followed by a period of silent reflection. The spoken prayer may be followed by a brief prayer or by an introit sung by a choir or vocal soloist. All texts in this series of services are appropriated to either leader, pastor, or people. The texts assigned to the leader may be spoken by the pastor, but do provide an opportunity for lay leadership in worship. Texts assigned to the pastor are those that are most appropriately spoken by ordained clergy, including the opening greeting, the declaration of pardon, the prayer of consecration at Communion, and the benediction. Texts assigned to the people may be spoken by the entire congregation or by a chorus of voices rehearsed for speaking these texts, but may also be spoken by the leader or pastor, depending on the practice of a given congregation. Only the texts spoken by the congregation need to be printed for their use, although the entire text of the service may be printed if resources allow. In general, lay leadership and congregational participation foster dynamic and meaningful worship services and should be a high priority for worship planners. Lighting of the Advent candles Commentary: An Advent wreath may be placed in a prominent position in the front of the sanctuary. The wreath traditionally features four purple or blue candles imbedded in a wreath of greens, surrounding a large white candle in the middle. On the first Sunday of Advent, the first purple candle is lit; on the second Sunday of Advent, the two purples candles are lit; and so on, until all the candles, including the large, white candle, are lit on Christmas day. These candles are symbolic of the light of Christ. The increasing number of candles lit over the span of the Advent season points to the growing anticipation of Christ's imminent coming. In many congregations, the various candles are said to represent various aspects of the Advent celebration, representing, for example, the characteristics of Advent faith (candle 1 representing hope; candle 2, peace; 3, joy; 4, love; and 5, Jesus Christ, Light of the world) or several Advent-related events (candle 1 representing the prophets; candle 2, the Annunciation; 3, the visitation; 4, the journey to Bethlehem; 5, the birth of Jesus). According to traditional practice, worship on the third Sunday of Advent focuses on the theme of joy. This is reflected in the traditional readings for this Sunday as well as in the use of a rose or pink (instead of purple) candle in the Advent wreath. Each of these alternatives is to be preferred to association with explicitly Christmas-related events (e.g., the visits of the shepherds or magi). But often, any explicit association is arbitrary and unconnected to the rest of the service. Unless each candle can be said to represent some theme that will be prominently featured throughout a given Advent service, it is preferable to simply associate them with the general theme of the coming Light of the world, as is reflected in the choice of texts below. Leader: Jesus said, "I am the light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in darkness but have the light of life." People: We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ. Leader: (reads Old Testament Lesson) First Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 9:2 Second Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 42:16 Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 49:6 Fourth Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 58:8 Christmas: Isaiah 60:1–3 People: Come, Lord Jesus, our light and life. Leader: Until that day, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Commentary: Various members of the congregation may read the lessons and light the candles used in this part of the service. All ages should be represented in the choice of these leaders. BRINGING PRAISE TO GOD Call to Worship Leader: "The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Rom. 13:11–12). People of God, with the assurance of these promises, let us bring our praise and prayers to God. Commentary: The call to worship should both challenge and invite the people to bring their worship and reflect the themes of the service. This passage from Romans 13 is especially appropriate because of its use of the image of light, which was used in the previous section of the service, and because of its call to renewal, which is essential to the nature of Advent. Entrance Hymn "Savior of the Nations, Come" Commentary: Other appropriate hymns include "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"; "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"; "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry"; "O Lord, How Shall I Meet You?"; "Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding"; "Hark! the Glad Sound!"; and "The Savior Comes." Most hymnals now include a substantial number of hymns focusing exclusively on Advent themes, in addition to Christmas carols and hymns. The latter should be saved for Christmas. Greeting Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: (reads Revelation 1:4–5) Commentary: Use of this text as a greeting is especially appropriate because of the reference to the Christ as the one "who is, who was, and who is to come." In Advent, we remember Israel's anticipation of Christ's first coming and renew our anticipation for his second coming. Passing of the Peace Pastor: And now, even as we have received our Lord's greeting, let us greet one another. People: (saying to each other) The Lord be with you. Commentary: The passing of the peace, or mutual greeting, traditionally precedes the sacrament, reminding us of how we join in one fellowship at our Lord's Table. This act is also appropriate at this point in the opening of the service, as a way of acknowledging the horizontal dimension of our gathering in Jesus' name—that is, our relationship with each other in Christ's body—even as the greeting reminds us of the vertical dimension of our worship—our relationship to God. Other services in this series place this act at other points in the liturgy. OFFERING CONFESSION OF SINS Call to Advent Penitence Commentary: On the first Sunday of Advent, the worship leader may wish to briefly explain the nature of Advent worship, including reference to any visual symbols used by the congregation, sermon topics for the four weeks of Advent, and any other related local practice. This description should include reference to the penitential nature of Advent, calling the congregation to penitence, which would thus appropriately precede the act of confession. Any description given should strive to avoid a strongly didactic character. Invitation to Confession Leader: "So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Rom. 13:12). Sisters and brothers in Christ, in obedience to God, we confess our sins now before him. Commentary: The general call to Advent penitence can be followed by a specific call to confession of sins. This verse from Romans 13 recalls the call to worship used earlier in the service. Prayer of Confession [silence] Leader: O God, we live in darkness, ignoring the power of the Light of the world. People: Lord, have mercy. Leader: We live in ignorance, failing to acknowledge the Wisdom of your Word. People: Christ, have mercy. Leader: We live in turmoil, shunning the peace that passes all understanding. People: Lord, have mercy. Leader: May Christ, who came long ago, come to enlighten our hearts and to grant us true wisdom and peace. Commentary: The prayer of confession should be preceded by a moment of silence. This allows for the people to read the text of the prayer of confession and to focus their attention on this significant liturgical act. This is especially important if the prayer of confession is being used for the first time by a congregation. The responses of the people may be sung. Many denominational hymnals include settings of the Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy). See listing of the service music in various hymnals in the commentary on the Communion service below. The metaphors used in this prayer recall some of the images found in the readings used at the lighting of the Advent candles and anticipated images used later in the Prayers of the People, providing textual unity to the service. Prayer of Petition for Salvation People: (singing) "Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"…. Commentary: This Advent hymn is a petition for Christ to come as our Savior, functioning at this point in the liturgy as a continuation of the prayer of confession. Any announcement of this hymn that may be necessary should be made prior to the prayer of confession. Alternate hymns or solo or choral anthems may be appropriate, provided that the text is either a continuation of the prayer of confession or a prayer for deliverance from sin. Declaration of Pardon Leader: The gospel of Advent and Christmas is this: (Isaiah 40:1–2 or Isaiah 44:21–22) In the name of Jesus Christ, People: We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Commentary: The use of an Old Testament text as a Declaration of Pardon is especially appropriate for Advent. Thanksgiving Commentary: The thanksgiving may consist of a acclamation of praise sung by the congregation. This may include the singing of a psalm or hymn of thanksgiving, Scripture songs of praise, or a metrical setting of a psalm or canticle. This is also a very appropriate time for a choir or solo anthem, provided that the text is an acclamation of praise for God's promised salvation. In some congregations, the traditional canticle "Glory to the God in the Highest" is not sung during Advent, reflecting the penitential nature of the season. Invitation to Discipleship Leader: (reads 1 Timothy 6:11–16) Commentary: Our service to God flows out of our experience of his salvation. Thus it is appropriate for the declaration of pardon, during which worshipers experience again God's word of grace, to be followed by a challenge to Christian service and an opportunity to commit themselves to that service. In Advent, this challenge can appropriately call worshipers to renew both their anticipation of Christ's coming and their obedience to God's law. These acts of invitation and dedication may also appropriately follow either the sermon or the sacrament of the Lord's Supper This sample service features these acts following both the declaration of pardon and Communion, serving to emphasize the theme of renewal and call to service that is important to the Advent season. Prayer or Hymn of Commitment "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior" [or] "O Jesus, I Have Promised" Commentary: Or another hymn of promise or commitment. LISTENING TO GOD'S WORD Prayer for Illumination People: God of love and power, you are revealed to us in your Word, in accounts of prophecy and fulfillment that direct our attention to Jesus Christ. Illumine us now as we hear your Word proclaimed that we may open our hearts to him, yearn for his coming in glory, and serve him with joy. Amen. Commentary: The following Scripture lessons are based on the suggestions of one lectionary for the first Sunday of Advent. Lessons should be chosen by worship planners based on the text of the sermon of the day and the lectionary that may be used in a given congregation. Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 2:1–5 Psalm: Psalm 122 Commentary: The psalm may be sung by the choir or congregation. Musical resources for singing the Psalms are included in the commentary with the Pentecost service in this series. New Testament Readings: Matthew 24:36–44; Romans 13:11–14, Commentary: Many traditions set apart the reading of the Gospel by having it read from a different location than the other readings, such as in the middle of the congregation. This practice highlights that God's Word is present in our midst as the people of God and therefore may be appropriate for each lesson. Sermon Commentary: Sermons during the Advent season should especially address scriptural themes unique to the season of Advent, including our expectation of Christ's second coming and the penitence appropriate in preparation for that coming. RESPONDING TO GOD'S WORD Statements of Faith Nicene Creed Hymn:"On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry." Commentary: It is often appropriate to follow the sermon with a hymn that either uniquely captures its message or provides worshipers with an opportunity for an appropriate response to its message. Whatever hymn is chosen should be carefully labeled and introduced so as to suggest its purpose. The hymn "On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry," for example, may be used as a declaration of faith following a sermon on the preaching of John that calls us to announce the news of Christ's coming. In contrast, the hymn "O Lord, How Shall I Meet You," may be used as prayer of humility following a sermon that calls the worshiper to penitent humility in preparation for Christ's coming. Concerns of the Congregation Commentary: At this point, members of the congregation may make known to each other concerns for mutual prayer. These may be announced by the pastor or lay worship leader, by church members assigned to monitor the prayer needs of the congregation, or by individual worshipers in a time of sharing reasons for thanksgiving and intercession. Prayers of the People Commentary: The following prayer is ordered after verses from the well-known advent hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." Each section of the prayer follows a pattern: a spoken petition concerning individual needs, a time of silence for reflection upon these personal needs, a second spoken petition concerning world needs, and one verse of the Advent hymn. The verses of the hymn may be sung by a soloist, choral ensemble, or the entire congregation. Any instrumental accompaniment should be subdued and prayerlike. The prayer may be extended to use each verse of the hymn, thereby roughly emulating the practice of the ancient church in using the "O" Antiphons for the days immediately preceding Christmas. These antiphons were each prayers of petition for the coming Christ that are now loosely reflected in each verse of the hymn "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (i.e. O Wisdom, O Branch of Jesse, O Key of David, etc.). The following prayer is but one example of how to incorporate hymn and anthem texts that are themselves a prayer into the spoken congregational prayer. This is a very helpful way of integrating the musical contributions of a choir, soloists, or of congregational hymnody into the structure of the liturgy, avoiding any impression that these important contributions are nonessential accretions to the liturgy or mere musical performances. Petition for Freedom from Evil Leader 1: Almighty God, we are bound by shackles of sin. Deliver us, we pray, through the power of Christ, from the bonds of our own evil patterns of life, that we may live in his joy. Convict us, in these quiet moments, of our need for this deliverer. [silence] Leader 2: Almighty God, lover of justice and mercy, enter also our world with power, we pray, that all captives to evil in mind, body, and soul, may be freed through the radical and radiant power of our Lord Jesus Christ. People sing: O come, O come Emmanuel / and ransom captive Israel / that mourns in lowly exile here / until the Son of God appear / Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel / shall come to you, O Israel. Petition for Knowledge Leader 1: Lord God, usher us into the knowledge of true wisdom. In the quietness of this moment, help us to ponder our own often misguided pursuit of knowledge and challenge us to rely only on knowledge of you as the source of true Wisdom. [silence] Leader 2: Almighty God, fountain of all wisdom, enlighten also our world by your Wisdom, that all people may rejoice in the knowledge of your truth, and may worship you from generation to generation. People sing: O come, O Wisdom from on high / who ordered all things mightily / to us the path of knowledge show / and teach us in its ways to go. / Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel / shall come to you, O Israel. Petition for Salvation Leader 1: Lord God, bring us your salvation, we pray. We know our own sin and trust in only you to save us. In this quiet moment, we offer ourselves to you, trusting in you alone to provide each individual gathered here with the knowledge and joy of knowing you. [silence] Leader 2: Lord God, bring also your salvation to our world. Extend the bounds of your kingdom, we pray. Use us, your people, to tell the world of the promise of salvation and to point them to Jesus Christ, our Lord. People sing: O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem/unto your own and rescue them! / From depths of hell your people save / and give them victory o'er the grave. / Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel / shall come to you, O Israel. Petition for Peace Leader 1: Lord God, work your peace in our world, we pray. Quiet even our troubled hearts, even now as we bring our personal concerns to you. [silence] Leader 2: Almighty God, whose will it is to hold both heaven and earth in the peace of your kingdom, give peace to your church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. People sing: O come, O King of Nations bind / all peoples in one heart and mind / Bid all our sad divisions cease and be yourself our King of Peace / Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel / shall come to you, O Israel. A Traditional Service For Advent Part II