2014 Advent Guide

A D V E N T A N D C H R I S T M A S T I D E 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 5

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COVER ART:

The Annunciation (detail)

by Don Lorenzo Monaco (ca. 1410)

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

Introduction……..............…....................………….. 2

Week 1 ……………….................................……….. 4

Week 2 ……..…….................................…………… 5

Week 3 ……..…..............…………...................…… 6

Week 4 …………...............…………....................… 7

Christmastide …….............…....................……..… 8

Appendix of Songs ….…..........…......................... 10

The Lord's Prayer & Apostles Creed ..................... 17

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T H E C H U R C H Y E A R

As another calendar year draws to a close, a new church year is just beginning. The church, or liturgical, year was developed during the first centuries of the early church as a tool to help the people of God remember and celebrate the full mystery of the Gospel. Each season of the liturgical year calls us to focus on different aspects of the Gospel, from Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, as well as his ascension, the day of Pentecost and his promised return. To that end, each season has its own colors, prayers, rituals and moods to aid in our remembrance and celebration. By marking the passage of time redemptively, the liturgical calendar reminds us that God has acted and continues to act in history, redeeming for himself his people. Taken altogether, we see that the liturgical year acts in concert with Scripture and our weekly and daily worship, amplifying the invitation to lose ourselves in the good news of Jesus so that we might truly find ourselves and live.

A D V E N T A N D C H R I S T M A S

The four-week season of Advent starts the new church year, preparing the people of God for the celebrations of Christmas and Epiphany. Advent means “coming” and its mood is that of longing, expectation and waiting. Appropriately during this time, the church remembers Jesus’ first coming and anticipates his coming again. This world is broken, and so we yearn for Jesus to come back as our King and to make completely all things new. The cry of Advent is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin. And it is the cry from those who still have hope of deliverance because they believe in a God who hears the cries of the oppressed and delivers them.

Of course, Scripture reminds us that we need redemption from our broken world because we broke it! Advent calls us to prepare for Jesus’ return by repenting and believing. We are to turn away from the false hopes and desires that twist our hearts and destroy our relationships. Instead, we are to turn toward Jesus, who frees us so that we may serve one another in grace and truth. Just as John the Baptist was born to prepare the way for Jesus’ first coming, so we are given to each other in the community of the church to encourage each other and challenge the world around us to prepare for his coming again.

At Christmas, we remember the birth of Jesus, the fulfillment of all our Advent expectations. Derived from “Christ Mass,” Christmas is a feast. And it’s not a one-day affair. It’s actually a twelve-day celebration beginning at sunset on Christmas Eve. How could it not be a multiday, extravagant and joyous feast when the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, Creator and Redeemer has come to make the world and us new?

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T H E A D V E N T W R E A T H A N D T H E A D V E N T G U I D E

Many celebrations of Advent include the use of an Advent wreath. The Advent wreath is a relatively new tradition (19th century), but an increasingly popular one. The wreath consists of evergreen boughs encircling five candles. Four candles represent each week of Advent and the fifth represents the birth of Christ on Christmas Day. One candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent. Two are lit on the second Sunday, and so on. All four candles and the remaining fifth candle are lit either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

We believe the use of the wreath along with this daily guide will help you as individuals, roommates, groups, and families to enter into the story of the gospel in deeper ways. To that end, the prayers, readings and hymns reflect the themes of expectation, preparation, hope and light. The Lord’s Prayer, The Apostle’s Creed, and hymns are provided for you in the appendix. And in case you are unfamiliar with the hymns, we’ve included links to the tunes.

Our goal is not to load you down with more tasks in an already busy life, but rather to provide you with materials to let you experience God’s goodness more fully. So use the guide as just that: a guide.

It is a great joy for us to be your pastors. We are so thankful that God has brought us together and we are honored to be able to worship and serve our Lord together with you. May Christ grant us all a blessed Advent and Christmas! With great love for you all,The Pastoral Staff of Resurrection Brooklyn

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A D V E N T W E E K 1

OPENING PRAYERGracious God, make us ready for this Advent. Prepare us for the Way of the Lord. We are listening to your Word as you announce the arrival of our Savior, who is Jesus, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the Creator and Redeemer. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE FIRST ADVENT CANDLEQ. Why do we light the Advent candle?A. We light it because Jesus is the Light of the World and we who follow Him do not walk in darkness but have the Light of Life. (based on John 8:12)

PRAYER OF CONFESSIONBecause we are busy to prepare for the holidays, but lazy to prepare for your coming, Lord, have mercy on us. Forgive us and rouse in us by your Holy Spirit true hope and expectation. Amen.

READINGS FOR WEEK 1 · Sunday: Mark 13:33-37 · Monday: Isaiah 2:1-5 · Tuesday: Isaiah 11:1-10 · Wednesday: Jeremiah 33:14-16 · Thursday: Romans 13:11-14 · Friday: Matthew 9:27-30 · Saturday: Isaiah 40:1-5

PRAYER OF FAITH AND RESPONSE (optional)The Lord’s Prayer or the Apostles Creed

SONG FOR THE WEEKCome, Thou Long Expected Jesus

CLOSING PRAYERAlmighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


OPENING PRAYERGod of hope, who brought love into this world, be the love that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought peace into this world, be the peace that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought joy into this world, be the joy that dwells between us. God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be the center, the focus of our Advent and always. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE 1ST & 2ND ADVENT CANDLESQ. Why do we light the Advent candles?A. We light them because Jesus is the Lord our God who lights our candle and lightens our darkness. (based on Psalm 18:28).

PRAYER OF CONFESSIONBecause we are awake with our buying and selling, but asleep with our prayer, Christ, have mercy. Forgive us and strengthen us by your Holy Spirit so that we may be blameless on the last day. Amen.

READINGS FOR WEEK 2 · Sunday: Deuteronomy 18:15-19 · Monday: Isaiah 35:1-4 · Tuesday: Ephesians 5:6-14 · Wednesday: Matthew 11:25-30 · Thursday: Psalm 24:7-10 · Friday: 2 Peter 3:8-16 · Saturday: Isaiah 61:1-4


SONG FOR THE WEEKJesus Shall Reign

CLOSING PRAYERMerciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation. Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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OPENING PRAYERMay the splendor of your glory dawn in our hearts,we pray, Almighty God, that all shadows of the night may be scatteredand we may be shown to be children of light by the advent of your Only Begotten Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE 1ST, 2ND & 3RD ADVENT CANDLESQ. Why do we light the Advent candles?A. As Scripture testifies: Jesus is the Word through whom all things were made. In him is life and his life is the light of all people. (based on John 1:1-3)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION FOR WEEK 3Because we have forgotten Advent disciplines, because they are crowded out by end of year functions and Christmas celebrations that arrive too early, Lord have mercy. Forgive us and renew in us the joy of your salvation. Amen.

READINGS FOR WEEK 3 · Sunday: Matthew 1:1-17 · Monday: Luke 1:5-17 · Tuesday: Luke 1: 18-25 · Wednesday: Luke 1:26-38 · Thursday: Luke 1:39-45 · Friday: Luke 1:46-56 · Saturday: Luke 1:57-66


SONG FOR THE WEEKO Come, O Come, Emmanuel

CLOSING PRAYERStir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.


OPENING PRAYERGrant that your people, we pray, almighty God, may be ever watchful for the coming of your Only Begotten Son,that as the author of our salvation himself has taught us, we may hasten alert and with lighted lamps to meet him when he comes. Amen.

LIGHTING OF THE 1ST, 2ND, 3RD AND 4TH ADVENT CANDLESQ. Why do we light the Advent candles?A. We welcome God’s light into our lives and we welcome the full revelation of God’s unfailing love for us and for all of creation. For Jesus is the Word of God, the lamp to our feet and the light to our path. (based on Psalm 119:105)

PRAYER OF CONFESSION FOR WEEK 4We are captive, exiled, O God, because we have, each in our own way, chosen our own path, away from you. We are hungry for wisdom and knowledge, because we have, too often, substituted our judgment for yours. We are lost, in need of guidance. Come Lord Jesus; forgive us and restore us.

READINGS FOR WEEK 4 · Sunday: John 1:1-14 · Monday: Mark 1:1-7 · Tuesday: Matthew 1:18-25 · Christmas Eve: Luke 2:1-7


SONG FOR THE WEEKHail to the Lord’s Anointed

CLOSING PRAYERPurify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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C H R I S T M A S T I D E - T H E 1 2 D A Y S O F C H R I S T M A S

OPENING PRAYER Shout for joy the whole earth, and everything within. Rejoice! For Light has come into the world! The mountains sing, the seas resound to the praise of your name. Salvation once promised is here on earth! The angels’ song rings in the air, a child has been born. Hallelujah! The Savior of the world is here!

LIGHTING OF ALL FOUR ADVENT CANDLES + THE CHRISTMAS CANDLEQ. Why do we light the Christmas Candle?A. With joy we remember Christ’s coming and with joy we look forward to his coming again when night will be no more and lamp and sun will no longer be needed because he will be our light forever and ever. (based on Revelation 22:5)

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR CHRISTMASTIDESpend a few moments reflecting on the many ways you’ve experienced God’s goodness this season and this past year and give God thanks. If you’re with others, share your thanksgivings and pray together.

READINGS FOR CHRISTMASTIDE · Christmas Day: Luke 2:8-21 · Friday after Christmas: Psalm 3 · Saturday after Christmas: Psalm 13 · Sunday after Christmas: Psalm 14 · Monday after Christmas: Psalm 18 · Tuesday after Christmas: Psalm 27 · Wednesday after Christmas: Psalm 42 · 2nd Thursday after Christmas: Psalm 62 · 2nd Friday after Christmas: Psalm 95 · 2nd Saturday after Christmas: Psalm 121 · 2nd Sunday after Christmas: Psalm 138 · 2nd Monday after Christmas: Matthew 2:1-12


SONG FOR CHRISTMASTIDE Joy to the World or O Come All Ye Faithful or Go Tell it on the Mountain

CLOSING PRAYERGod, we are as confounded as Joseph and Mary,as busy as the innkeepers,as lonely as the shepherds,as frightened as Herod, as wayfaring as the Magi.Turn us again to the place where,with quietness, you wrap up your truth and promise,your love and salvation in the child born in a crude barn.We ponder these things as the noise and clamor of the worldare stilled for a time,and there is a peace that settles deep within us.Bring us to Bethlehem,to the place where Jesus was homeless, but where we are truly at home.Amen.

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5. Where He displays His healing powerDeath and the curse are known no moreIn Him the tribes of Adam boastMore blessings than, their father lost

6. Let ev'ry creature rise and bringHis grateful honors to our King;Angels descend with songs again,And earth repeat the loud "Amen!"

Based on Psalm 72Words: Isaac WattsMusic: John Hatton

LISTEN ONLINE AT: http://goo.gl/SnfZG1 LISTEN ONLINE AT: http://goo.gl/LokHdx

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LISTEN ONLINE AT: http: //goo.gl/7NEKcr LISTEN ONLINE AT: http: //goo.gl/Cj4WtZ

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J O Y T O T H E W O R L D ! Based on Psalm 98 O C O M E A L L Y E F A I T H F U L

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THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

THE APOSTLES CREED

I believe in God the Father Almighty,maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, dead, and buried;he descended into hell.The third day he rose again from the dead.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

www.resurrectionbrooklyn.org

2014 Advent Guide

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