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Hymns
Hymn GTG #100, “My Soul Cries Out” [vv. 1-3]
Hymn GTG #86, “The People Who Walked in Darkness” [vv. 1-3]
Call to Worship & Lighting Advent Wreath
Leader: As we await the gift of God-with-us, we give thanks for all that God has already given to us.
People: Truly, we have been blessed by the Lord’s goodness
Leader: As we await the gift of the Messiah, we ponder how best to share these gifts with the world.
People: Truly, ALL should be blessed by the Lord’s goodness.
Leader: [Light purple candle] The second step on our journey of spiritual regifting is to imagine how God’s gifts might reach beyond ourselves.
People: We envision God’s kingdom as we await its king: Come, Lord Jesus.
Call to Confession (based on Luke 1:50)
Leader: God’s mercy is for all people, from one generation to the next. Surely, if we come before the Lord in humility and repentance, God will show God’s mercy once more. Let us confess our sins.
Prayer of Confession (based on Luke 1:51-53)
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: Merciful God, we confess that we are only interested in a justice that demands nothing from us. We do not want our arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations challenged. We do not want to be pulled down from the thrones that privilege has placed us upon. We do not want to be sent away empty-handed. And yet, we recognize that your divine justice requires a rebalancing of the scales. Forgive us, O Lord. Help us to see where we might give up our excess so that others might have enough, and give us hearts willing to share your abundant gifts without question or condition. In your mercy, hear our prayers…
(Silent prayers of personal confession)
Declaration of Forgiveness (based on Luke 1:54-55)
Leader: The Lord has come to our aid, remembering God’s mercy, just as God promised to our ancestors. Hear the good news: in the name of the one whose birth we await, we are all forgiven!
People: Thanks be to God!
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