Liturgy and Prayers - Sunday, 27 November 2022 – First Sunday of Advent, Year A

Liturgy in one document: Liturgy in One Document, Advent 1A

Opening sentence

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob;
that he may teach us his ways
and that we may walk in his paths.  (Isa 2:3 NRSV)
OR
The time has come for you to wake up from your sleep.
The night is nearly over, day is almost here.  (Rom 13:11,12 TEV)
OR
Watch out,
because you do not know what day your Lord will come. (Matt 24:42 TEV)

Prayer of the day - (Collect):

Traditional

Stir up your power, O Lord, and come,
that by your protection
we may be rescued
from the threatening dangers of our sins,
and saved by your mighty deliverance;
for you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Modernised Traditional

Stir up your power, Lord, and come.
Protect us,
so that we may be rescued
from the threatening dangers of our sins,
and saved by your deliverance.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Alternative

(Let us pray for the presence of Christ. [silence])
Cleanse our consciences, Lord,
and enlighten our hearts,
through the daily presence of your Son Jesus Christ.
Make us ready
when he comes again in glory
to be our judge.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

New

(Let us pray that we remain alert for the coming of the Lord. [silence])
Jesus, Son of God,
you have promised to return
at a time that no one knows.
Keep us watchful in prayer
and strong in faith
as we wait for you to come.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia, alleluia.
So you also must be ready,
because the Son of Man will come
at an hour when you do not expect him.
Alleluia.

Prayer after the Gospel

This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for promising to return.
Make us always ready for your coming.
Amen.

Offering Prayer

Everliving God,
we thank you for coming to us through your Son.
Make us ready for his coming again.
Do not let us be trapped by worry or worldly concerns,
but teach us to cheerfully give of ourselves
in serving you and other people.
Amen.

Prayer of the Church

Prayer points

  • Prayers for the floods in NSW

    In Psalm 46, hear the promise that God is the refuge and strength of his people, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, let us pray that God would be an ever-present help and refuge to those who have been so significantly impacted by devastating floodwaters across Australia.
    Almighty and merciful God, creator and preserver of our world, we ask you to hear our humble prayers for all those affected by the devastating floodwaters across NSW and Victoria. Grant safety to the thousands of residents under evacuation orders. In your mercy, bring relief to affected areas and protect both life and property.
    Show your compassion and bring your comfort and relief to all those struggling with flood and storm damage in NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
    Bring all who are missing safely home and comfort all who love them and worry for their safety.
    Give courage and hope in the midst of despair. Through the generosity of governments and individuals, provide a future for those whose present circumstances are marked by loss and desperation. Grant wisdom to those who assist, especially government leaders, State Emergency Services, our Australian Defence Force, other emergency workers and aid agencies. And by your gracious hand, rebuild communities where men, women and children are nurtured with care and love.
    We pray for pastors and their congregations serving affected communities. We especially think of Pastor James Leach and the St John’s Lutheran Church community in Forbes, NSW at this time. By your grace, enable and equip them to be faithful servants in the midst of hardship and effective witnesses of your saving message.
    At this time, may those without genuine peace find true hope in your Son, Jesus.
    In His name we pray. Amen.

Additional Prayer Points

LCA International Mission

Services with Holy Communion:

Preface

It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
You fulfilled your promise to comfort your people
by sending Jesus the Redeemer,
and to make all things new through him
when he comes to judge the world
and set it right.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:

Communion Invitation

Blessed are those who have been invited
to the wedding feast of the Lamb.
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

Prayer after Communion

We give you thanks, almighty God,
that you have fed us with this promise of salvation.
We pray that through it
you would graciously strengthen us
in faith toward you and in love toward one another,
so that we may be prepared
for the coming of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as given above) at this point. It may be modified as follows:

Cleanse our consciences, Lord,
and enlighten our hearts,
through the gift of the body and blood
of your Son Jesus Christ.
Make us ready
when he comes again in glory
to be our judge.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Dismissal

Seasonal Blessing

This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.
Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, shine on you and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory . . .

Dismissal

Go in peace. Be ready for the coming of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

Liturgical Resources

Advent Wreath Instructions and Candle-lighting Prayers