Advent 1
"Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the
strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before
the Son of Man." --Luke 21:36 (NRSV)
MEDITATIVE READING Gospel
of Thomas 18 (ANNT)
His followers said to Jesus, "Tell us how our end will
be."
Jesus said, "Have you discovered the beginning, that
you ask about the end? For, in the place where the beginning is, there the end will
be. Blessed is the one who takes a stand in the beginning. That one will know
the end, and will not experience death."
CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 122:1-2 and Odes of Solomon 36)
Leader: I was glad when they said
to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
People: And now here we are, standing inside your presence, O Foundation
of Peace!
Leader: I rested on the Spirit of
the Lord,
People: and She raised me up on high;
Leader: And caused me to stand on
my feet
People: in the high place of the Lord,
ALL: She gave birth to me before the face of the Lord,
Leader: And while I was the Child
of Humanity,
People: I was called the Light, the Child of God;
Leader: And my mouth was opened
like a cloud of dew,
People: And my heart gushed forth a fountain of justice.
Leader: And my approach was in
peace,
People: And I was established in the Spirit of Instruction.
ALL: Hallelujah.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Psalm 25:1-10)
Leader: Let us lift up our souls to
the Lord
and put our trust in God.
No one who looks to the Lord will
be put to shame. Let us pray.
ALL: Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation.
Remember, O Lord, your
compassion and love, for they are from everlasting.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;
remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O
Lord.
(silent
prayer)
Leader: Gracious and upright are
you, O Lord; therefore you teach sinners in your way.
ALL: You guide the humble in doing right and teach your way to the
lowly. All your paths, O Lord, are love and faithfulness to those
who keep your covenant and your testimonies. Amen.
Additional Music: "Higher
Ground" (Iris Dement/traditional)
"I Rested on the Spirit of the Lord (Ode 36)" Jeff
Macaré The Odes of Solomon, Vol. 2
No comments:
Post a Comment