[The text in the brown font is from Psalm 72: 1–7, 18–19, NRSVUE and that, along with the regular font text, should be read by one voice while the congregation responds with the words of John the Baptist from Matthew 3 NRSVUE which appears in bold. This litany could be used as part of the opening of worship with or without the candle lighting. If used with the candle lighting, the first candle should be lit before the service begins.]
Call to Worship
God calls us to come and worship
the King of peace.
Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.
—Matthew 3:3
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.
—Matthew 3:3
May he judge your people with righteousness
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight.
—Matthew 3:3
In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
Advent Candle Lighting
Today we light the candle of peace.
As we await the coming of the Messiah,
we do so as a people on a journey,
from darkness to light,
towards justice and peace.
We journey with peace,
for Christ is coming to set the world a-right.
[Lighting of the second Advent candle.]
Sung Response
“Hark, the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes” Doddridge
or
“Hope Is a Candle” (st. 1–2) Leach
