Liturgy and Prayers - Sunday, 4 December 2022 – Second Sunday of Advent, Year A

Liturgy in one document: Liturgy in One Document, Advent 2A

Opening sentence

A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots. (Isa 11:1 NRSV)

OR
The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations;
the Gentiles will hope in him. (Rom 15:12 NIV)

OR
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight. (Matt 3:3 NRSV)

Prayer of the day - (Collect):

Traditional

Stir up our hearts, O Lord,
to prepare the way for your only Son,
so that by his coming
we may be enabled to serve you
with pure minds;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Modernised Traditional

Stir up our hearts, Lord,
to prepare the way for your only Son.
Help us by his coming
to serve you with pure hearts and minds.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Alternative

(Let us pray that we are ready for Christ’s coming. [silence])
Merciful God,
you sent your messengers to preach repentance
and prepare the way for our salvation.
Turn us away from our sins,
so that we greet our coming redeemer,
Jesus Christ, with joy.
For he lives
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.

New

Alleluia Verse

Alleluia, alleluia.
A voice cries out in the desert:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight.’
Alleluia.

Prayer after the Gospel

This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Lord Jesus, thank you for coming
and bringing the kingdom of heaven.
Lead us to repent, and fill us with your Spirit.
Amen.

Offering Prayer

Great and loving God,
we thank you for all your goodness.
Help us to prepare a road for you
by the way we live.
Use us and our gifts
in building up your kingdom.
Amen.

Prayer of the Church

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:

Merciful God,
you sent your messengers to preach repentance
and prepare the way for our salvation.
May the body and blood of Christ
which we have received in this meal
give us strength to turn away from our sins,
so that we may greet our coming redeemer,
Jesus Christ, with joy.
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 joy and peace, as you trust in the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

Liturgical Resources