1. Welcome and Intimations

  2. Advent Liturgy

    One:
    The prophet Malachi calls us to watch for the messenger God will send us, a messenger who burns with a passion for God’s coming salvation. “For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the LORD in righteousness” (Malachi 3:2b-3).

    All:
    In a world driven by a passion to maintain the status quo, we choose to live with a passion for God’s peace, to listen to those who call us to righteousness, and to submit ourselves to God’s grace, that we might be refined and purified until we reflect God’s love throughout the earth.

    One:
    We light this candle of peace as a sign of our commitment to passionately pursue the work of making peace in our hearts, our families, our communities, and throughout the earth until God’s kin-dom comes on earth as it is in heaven.

    Light the second candle of the Advent wreath.

  3. Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

    Our Father, who art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done;
    on earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive those who trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    the power, and the glory
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.

  4. CH4 282 Christmas Is Coming!

    (verses 1 and 2)

    1. Christmas is coming 
      the Church is glad to sing 
      and let the advent candles 
      brightly burn in a ring. 

    2. The first is for God's promise 
      to put the wrong things right, 
      and bring to earth's darkness 
      the hope of love and light. 

      Christmas is coming 
      the Church is glad to sing 
      and let the advent candles 
      brightly burn in a ring. 

    3. The second is for the Prophet 
      Who said that Christ would come. 
      With good news for many 
      And angry words for some.  

      Christmas is coming 
      the Church is glad to sing 
      and let the advent candles 
      brightly burn in a ring. 

    WGRG / The Iona Community

    1. Malachi 3:1-4
    2. Luke 1:68-79

  6. CH4 472 Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

    1. Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
      born to set thy people free;
      from our fears and sins release us;
      let us find our rest in thee.

    2. Israel's strength and consolation,
      hope of all the earth thou art,
      dear desire of every nation,
      joy of every longing heart.

    3. Born thy people to deliver,
      born a child, and yet a King,
      born to reign in us for ever,
      now thy gracious kingdom bring.

    4. By thine own eternal Spirit
      rule in all our hearts alone;
      by thine all-sufficient merit
      raise us to thy glorious throne.

  7. Meditation

  8. CH4 334 On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry

    1. On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry
      announces that the Lord is nigh;
      awake and hearken for he brings
      glad tidings of the King of kings.

    2. Then cleansed be every heart from sin;
      make straight the way for God within;
      prepare we in our hearts a home,
      where such a mighty Guest may come.

    3. For you are our salvation, Lord,
      our refuge and our great reward;
      without your grace we waste away,
      like flowers that wither and decay.

    4. Stretch out your hand, to heal our sore,
      and make us rise to fall no more;
      once more upon your people shine,
      and fill the world with love divine.

    5. All praise to you, eternal Son,
      whose advent has our freedom won,
      whom with the Father we adore,
      and Holy Spirit, evermore.

  9. Offering

  10. Prayer of Intercession

  11. CH4 286 Tell Out, My Soul, the Greatness of the Lord

    1. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
      Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
      tender to me the promise of His word –
      in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

    2. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name!
      Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done;
      His mercy sure, from age to age the same –
      His holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.

    3. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His might!
      Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
      Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
      the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

    4. Tell out, my soul, the glories of His word!
      Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure:
      Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
      to children’s children and for evermore!

    1962 renewal, 1990 Hope Publishing Co

  12. Blessing