This liturgy is based on our Advent Theme this year, "The Gifts of Women", based on the women in Matthew's account of Jesus' genealogy.
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Hymns
Hymn GTG #88, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” [vv. 1, 4, 7]
Hymn GTG #324, “For All the Faithful Women" [v. 1 + New Verse:]
We thank you, Lord, for Tamar, a woman tossed aside,
Demanding to be noticed, confronting Judah’s pride.
When called out as a sinner, she turned the tables ‘round,
Her steadfast perseverance a path to Christ’s renown.
Hymn GTG #105 “People Look East”
Leader: We are here to prepare for the Lord’s coming
People: We gather to share stories of a faith passed down from generation to generation.
Leader: We give thanks for our biblical forefathers, the names we learn in Sunday school, the figures who loom large in our understanding of God.
People: But Matthew’s gospel reminds us not to forget the stories of the faithful women who lead us to Christ.
Leader: [Lighting purple candle] Today, we learn from our mother Tamar, whose refusal to be cast aside offers hope to a weary world.
People: As we remember the ancestors whose gifts point us to the manger, we cry aloud with one voice: Come, Lord Jesus.
Call to Confession (based on Genesis 38:26)
Leader: Throughout scripture, God rewards persistence for righteousness’ sake, so let us again confess our sin and seek forgiveness in Christ’s name.
Popcorn Prayer of Confession (based on Genesis 38:11)
You are invited to speak a word or short phrase that describes a personal or
collective sin of which you repent and seek forgiveness.
When the gathered community is finished sharing, we pray together:
People: Lord God, you know our hearts. We imagine ourselves righteous, yet we behave in ways that dishonor your beloved children. We put off those to whom we have moral obligations, we make promises that we have no intention of keeping, we treat others as objects to be used for our own ends. We know that we are wrong, and yet we persist in our selfishness. Forgive us, O Lord, and in your mercy, hear our prayers… (Silent prayers of personal confession)
Declaration of Forgiveness (based on Genesis 38:17-18)
Leader: God has given us many signs to assure us that God keeps God’s promises: the rainbow, the seasons, the Holy Spirit, and of course, the Messiah. Remember these signs as you hear this Good News: In Christ’s name, we are all forgiven!
People: Thanks be to God!
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