Advent is a season of waiting.
Waiting for what God has promised (remembering the past).
Waiting in the midst of what is in progress (awareness of the present).
Waiting for what is to come (anticipating the future).
We encourage you to allow your worship to have times of waiting in it.
Take your time.
Breathe.
Enjoy the silence…
Larry Doyle, Bob Root and Darrow Woods have met to form a Contemplative Liturgy Group. They share a desire to develop liturgy that inspires and makes space in congregational worship for the contemplative spirit. This initiative grew out of an April 2012 Worship Matters event that gathered worship leaders who share an interest in “diving deeper” into spiritual waters.
Please use this liturgy as you wish for worship.
May God bless you with a rich and holy contemplative Advent!
Calls to Worship
Advent 1
Advent is a season of waiting.
But we do not wait alone.
God is with us.
We gather with those who have seen the signs,
heard the whispers, felt the tugs in their hearts.
God is birthing Hope into this waiting world.
Let us worship with hearts open to Hope.
Advent 2
Advent is a season of waiting.
But we do not wait alone.
God is with us.
We gather with those who have seen the signs,
heard the whispers, felt the tugs in their hearts.
God is birthing Peace into this waiting world.
Let us worship with hearts open to Peace.
Advent 3
Advent is a season of waiting.
But we do not wait alone.
God is with us.
We gather with those who have seen the signs,
heard the whispers, felt the tugs in their hearts.
God is birthing Joy into this waiting world.
Let us worship with hearts open to Joy.
Advent 4
Advent is a season of waiting.
But we do not wait alone.
God is with us.
We gather with those who have seen the signs,
heard the whispers, felt the tugs in their hearts.
God is birthing Love into this waiting world.
Let us worship with hearts open to Love.
Christmas Eve
How long we have been waiting.
But we have not been alone.
God is with us. God has always been with us.
We gather with those who have seen the signs,
heard the whispers, felt the tugs in their hearts.
We gather with those who have seen the glimmers of light.
The light of love is born into our world.
Prayers of Invocation
Advent 1 – Hope
We enter, O God, into this season of preparation and anticipation, longing to skip ahead and celebrate the coming of your light into our darkness – but you would have us first slow down, breathe deeply, and prepare ourselves to receive your gift. We know that your Holy Spirit comes in powerful and unexpected ways, and so we pray we might recognize you moving in and through the season. In Christ’s name and in Christ’s way we pray in hope…
(a moment of contemplation)
Advent 2 – Peace
We live in a world where peace seems like just a distant dream, O God. And so we pray – not just for the absence of violence and conflict but for the deep peace of knowing and trusting your will and your way. As the darkness and coldness of December set in we trust that the light and the warmth of your Holy Spirit will enfold us and remind us of the Shalom that is to come, and the Shalom that is already within us…
(a moment of contemplation)
Advent 3 – Joy
God of light and love, this morning we rejoice and celebrate in your reign and seek to participate in it through our acts of faithful living. We celebrate justice and righteousness, and with joy we accept your Christmas presence, as we strive to give you our presence. In the name of Jesus our Christ we pray that you might bless us with an audacious, daring, and joyful faith – just like his…
(a moment of contemplation)
Advent 4 – Love
Our waiting has brought us to Christmas week, O God of Light and Love, and our hearts are brimming with anticipation. In a few short days we’ll celebrate once again the coming of the Light of the World. Open our hearts and minds to hear this old story in new ways, and fill us with the kind of faith that Mary had as she made her Advent journey. In Christ’s name, and in Christ’s Way, we pray…
(a moment of contemplation)
Christmas Eve
Holy One, born anew each Christmas Eve, be born anew in us this night. This is the sacred moment we have waited for. These are the open hearts we have prepared. Come, Holy Child, and transform our living. Come, Holy Light, and kindle our spirits. Come, Holy Love, and fill us. This is what we have been waiting for. Come…
(a moment of contemplation)
Candle Lighting
Advent 1 – Hope
One: The days are surely coming, says the Lord.
All: We are waiting in hope. (brief silence)
One: Make me to know your ways, O Lord.
All: We are waiting in hope. (brief silence)
One: Strengthen our hearts in holiness, Lord.
All: We are waiting in hope.
(longer silence – light candle after)
Sing: “While We Are Waiting, Come”
(Gathering A/C/E 2012/13 Year C, p.83)
1st verse as written
2nd verse: While we are hopeful come…
Advent 2 – Peace
One: Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
All: We are waiting in peace. (brief silence)
One: The One who began a good work among you will bring it to completion.
All: We are waiting in peace. (brief silence)
One: God lights the darkness and guides our feet.
All: We are waiting in peace.
(longer silence – light candle after)
Sing: “While We Are Waiting, Come”
1st verse as written
2nd verse: While we are peaceful come…
Advent 3 – Joy
One: We will trust, and will not be afraid.
All: We are waiting in joy. (brief silence)
One: We do not worry; we pray.
All: We are waiting in joy. (brief silence)
One: The Lord is near.
All: We are waiting in joy.
(longer silence – light candle after)
Sing: “While We Are Waiting, Come”
1st verse as written
2nd verse: While we are joyful come…
Advent 4 – Love
One: O God of hosts; let your face shine.
All: We are waiting in love. (brief silence)
One: The Mighty One has done great things for us.
All: We are waiting in love. (brief silence)
One: Our spirits rejoice in God.
All: We are waiting in love.
(longer silence – light candle after)
Sing: “While We Are Waiting, Come”
1st verse as written
2nd verse: While we are loving come…
Christmas Eve
One: People who walk in darkness have seen a great light.
All: Jesus the light has come. (brief silence)
One: See this thing that has taken place.
All: Jesus the light has come. (brief silence)
One: Declare his glory among the nations.
All: Jesus the light has come.
(longer silence – light candle after)
Sing: “While We Are Waiting, Come”
1st verse: Jesus the light has come…
Commissionings
Commissioning for Advent 1
Let us go out into the world in hope.
We are not alone.
God is with us.
Hope is promised in these advent days.
Hope is known deeply in these advent days.
God bless you as you wait.
God bless you as you work for hope.
God bless you as you live the life that is yours.
Your hope is blessed.
Go in hope.
Commissioning for Advent 2
Let us go out into the world in peace.
We are not alone.
God is with us.
Peace is promised in these advent days.
Peace is known deeply in these advent days.
God bless you as you wait.
God bless you as you work for peace.
God bless you as you live the life that is yours.
Your peace is blessed.
Go in peace.
Commissioning for Advent 3
Let us go out into the world in joy.
We are not alone.
God is with us.
Joy is promised in these advent days.
Joy is known deeply in these advent days.
God bless you as you wait.
God bless you as you work for joy.
God bless you as you live the life that is yours.
Your joy is blessed.
Go in joy.
Commissioning for Advent 4
Let us go out into the world in love.
We are not alone.
God is with us.
Love is promised in these advent days.
Love is known deeply in these advent days.
God bless you as you wait.
God bless you as you love.
God bless you as you live the life that is yours.
Your love is blessed.
Go in love.
Commissioning for Christmas Eve
The child is born.
Our hearts are filled
with hope, peace, joy and love.
Hear in your heart the news of the angels.
Ponder the miracle of this night.
Live in the world
as people of the light.
We are not alone.
God is with us.
Thanks be to God!
Darrow Woods: Writer of Things 