[The first lines of the call to worship and the text from Psalm 146:5–10 NRSVUE are in regular font and could be read by the same person. The text in brown font is from Luke 1:46b–55 NRSVUE and should be read by a different reader, ideally a teenage girl. The final “Praise the Lord” in bold font can be spoken by both readers together, the congregation, or omitted. This litany could be used as part of the opening of worship with or without the candle lighting. If used with the candle lighting, the first and second candle should be lit before the service begins.]
Call to Worship
God calls us to come and worship with joy.
Listen to these words from the psalmist and Mary,
the mother of Jesus who proclaimed:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant.
Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name;
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
Indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who executes justice for the oppressed;
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly;
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
who gives food to the hungry.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
He has come to the aid of his child Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.
The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Advent Candle Lighting
Today we light the candle of joy.
As we await the coming of the Messiah,
we do so as a people who journey with joy
from darkness to light,
towards justice and peace.
We journey with joy,
for Christ is coming to set the world a-right.
[Lighting of the third Advent candle.]
Sung Response
“My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout” Luke 1:46-55, Cooney
or
“Hope Is a Candle” (st. 1–2, 4) Leach
