THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: HOPE
Every Sunday of Advent the candle lighting is preceded by the Call to Worship, and the Introit: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel
VOICE - Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent means
"coming" and in this season we prepare for the coming of
Christ. One of the ways we prepare for his coming is by
making an Advent wreath and lighting its candles to
remind us of the gifts Christ brings to the world.
Hymn Lyrics
VOICE - The Advent wreath includes many symbols to help us
think about Christ and his gifts. The wreath itself is
in the shape of a circle. A circle has no beginning and
no end. This reminds us that there is no beginning and
no end to God and that God's love and caring are forever.
VOICE - The light from the candles - which grows stronger each
Sunday in Advent, reminds us that Jesus is the light of
the world.
VOICE - Today we light the candle of hope. The people of
Israel hoped in God's promises and were not disappointed.
Again and again God delivered Israel from its enemies.
We too have the same experience of salvation. That is
why we believe in God's promise to send Jesus to us once
again to judge the world and establish his kingdom
forever upon the earth. (a person lights the candle)
VOICE - Hope is like a light shining in a dark place. As we
look at the light of this candle we celebrate the hope we
have in Jesus Christ.
VOICE - Let us pray: Thank you God for the hope you give us.
We ask that as we wait for all your promises to come
true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain
present with us. Help us today, and everyday to worship
you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing
your hope with each other. We ask it in the name of the
one who was born in Bethlehem. Amen.