Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
- Altar colour: Blue or Violet
- Bible readings:
FIRST READING Micah 5:2-5a The shepherd king to be born in Bethlehem
PSALM Luke 1:(46b)47-55 Song of Mary (Magnificat) OR Psalm 80:1-7 *For musical settings of these Psalms, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING Hebrews 10:5-10 Christ came to do God’s will
GOSPEL Luke 1:39-45(46-55) Mary visits Elizabeth
OR Luke 1:(46b)47-55 Song of Mary (Magnificat) - Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on first reading: edited for lay reading sermon – micah 5 2-4 – year c – advent 4
Based on Song of Mary: Pr Stephen Pietsch ; Pr Vince Gerhardy
Based on second reading: Pr Roger Atze
- Orders of service:
Advent 4C Sunday Word & Prayer ( pdf / doc / ppt )
Service of the Word (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Morning Praise (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Service without communion (pdf / doc / ppt) - Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
Traditional
Stir up, O Lord, your power and come;
and support us by your great might,
so that, as we are hindered by our sins,
your grace and forgiveness
may help and hasten us on our way;
for you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, modernised traditional
Stir up your power and come, Lord.
Support and help us,
so that what is hindered by our sins
may be hastened by your great mercy.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, new (revised alternative)
(Let us pray for God to be with us. [silence])
Thank you, loving heavenly Father,
for coming with power to the Virgin Mary
and making her the mother of our Lord.
Come to us with your Holy Spirit,
so that we receive your saving word
and rejoice in our Saviour.
For he lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
- Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Prayer of the Church – Advent 4C
- Offering Prayer:
Lord God, help us to trust in your Son Jesus
and be ready to do your will as he was.
Fill us with joy and thankfulness,
so that we live as your people,
made holy through the sacrifice of Christ,
and leading holy lives.
Amen. - Visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
- Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here to download the text file) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Micah 5:2-5a
LHS
42 Earth has many a noble city* G4
AT
222 There’ll be peace
TIS
284 O bless the king of Israel
291 Earth has many a noble citySecond reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
LHS
4 Once He came in blessing* G4
10 O how shall I receive Thee* G3
20 O Jesus Christ, all praise to Thee* G4
26 Praise God the Lord, ye sons of men G4
82 Jesus, in Thy dying woes (Pt 6) G5
AT
345 Nothing but the blood
TIS
197 God’s Son came to bless us
298 Let all together praise our God
502 Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast (holy communion)
525 You we praise, high priest and victim
568 O for a heart to praise my God
575 O Jesus, Saviour, grow in meGospel: Luke 1:39-45(46-55)
LHS
17 Come, Thou long-expected Jesus G6
490 O Son of God, we wait for Thee* G3
903 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord G7
AT
260 Magnificat (My soul is praising the Lord) G7
510 Advent News
TIS
161 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
172 My soul gives glory to my God
173 My soul gives glory to the Lord
272 Come, thou long-expected Jesus
289 Christmas is coming
302 The angel Gabriel from heaven cameOTHER ADVENT SONGS (AT)
17 Emmanuel: God is with us
20 Come, Lord Jesus, come
25 Comfort, comfort
36 Vine and fig tree
55 His name is Wonderful
142 O Mary, don’t you weep
187 Help us, Lord
220 There’ll be peace
221 They were waiting
229 Christ is a-comin’
260 My soul is praising the Lord
302 Soon and very soon
309 When the Lord returns
313 Christ, be our light
314 Come to us
315 Drawn to the light
355 Freedom is coming
389 Light of the nations
402 God has chosen me
420 Get ready
425 God moving
434 Sing out with joy, he is coming
450 When Jesus Christ worked here on earth
453 The world is waiting
454 Your God will come
468 Sing a New Song
499 It was me
502 Patiently waiting for you
510 Advent news
519 New beginning
542 Word of the FatherPSALM 80
Here is a metrical paraphrase which could be sung to the tune Nativity (LH 627 ,TIS 204) or Evan (LH 68ii). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.Shepherd of Israel, hear us now;
you once were Joseph’s guide.
Enthroned on cherubim, shine forth:
stir up your saving might.Restore us once again, O God,
and show your smiling face.
O Lord of hosts, how long will you
be angry with our prayers?You fill our cups with grief, and give
us bread of tears to eat.
Our neighbours laugh at us with scorn,
and smile at our defeat.Restore us once again, O God,
and show your smiling face;
O God of power, O God of might,
show us your saving grace.
