Liturgical Ordo for Advent 3

third sunday of advent

11 december 2011

The Gathering of the Community

Processional Hymn

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”  Common Praise #89 vv. 6 & 7

Introductory Responses

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;

Show us the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Will you not give us life again,

that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your mercy, O Lord,

and grant us your salvation.

Blessed is your Beloved who comes in your name, O Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.  [1]

Hymn of Praise

“Comfort, Comfort Ye My People”  Common Praise #100

Lighting of the Advent Wreath

Collect

Let us pray.

Merciful God of peace,

your word, spoken by the prophets,

restores your people’s life and hope.

Fill our hearts with the joy of your saving grace,

that we may hold fast to your great goodness

and in our lives proclaim your justice in all the world;

through Jesus Christ our Lord

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [2]

The Proclamation of the Word

First Reading

Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11

The Psalm

Psalm 126 in Songs for the Holy One

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 5.16-24

The Gradual Hymn

“Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness”  Common Praise #397

The Gospel

John 1.6-8, 19-28

The Sermon

The Affirmation of Faith

We believe in God the Father,

God almighty, by whose plan

earth and heaven sprang to being,

all created things began.

We believe in Christ the Saviour,

Son of God in human frame,

virgin-born, the child of Mary

upon whom the Spirit came.

Christ, who on the cross forsaken,

like a lamb to slaughter led,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

he descended to the dead.

We believe in Jesus risen,

servant king to rule and reign

to the side of God ascended

till as judge he comes again.

We believe in God the Spirit;

in one Church, below, above:

saints of God in one communion,

one in holiness and love.

So by faith, our sins forgiven,

Christ our Saviour, Lord and friend,

we shall rise with him in glory

to the life that knows no end.  [3]

Sung to Arfon Major (Common Praise #44 or #391)

The Prayers of the Community

Intercessions, Petitions and Thanksgivings

Confession and Absolution

We pray to you for the forgiveness of our sins.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful God;

in your compassion, forgive us our sins,

known and unknown,

things done and left undone;

and so uphold us by your Spirit

that we may live and serve you in newness of life,

to the honour and glory of your name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The almighty and merciful Lord

grant you pardon and forgiveness of all your sins

time for amendment of life,

and the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  [4]

The Exchange of the Peace

May the peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

The Holy Communion

The Offertory Hymn

“On Jordan’s Bank, the Baptist’s Cry”  Common Praise #103

Prayer over the Gifts

God of joy and exultation,

you strengthen what is weak;

you enrich the poor

and give hope to those who live in fear.

Receive all we offer you this day,

making us grateful for the good news of salvation

and keeping us faithful in your service

until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who lives for ever and ever.  Amen.  [5]

Thanksgiving at the Table

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, gracious God,

creator of heaven and earth;

we give you thanks and praise

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who in the fullness of time came among us in our flesh,

and opened to us the way of salvation.

Now we watch for the day when he will come again

in power and great triumph to judge this world,

that we, without shame or fear,

may rejoice to behold his appearing.

Therefore we praise you,

joining our voices with angels and archangels

and with all the company of heaven,

who for ever sing this hymn

to proclaim the glory of your name.

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life:

Blessed are you for the birth of creation.

Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light.

Blessed are you for your promise to your people.

Blessed are you for the prophets’ hopes and dreams.

Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will.

Blessed are you for your Son, Jesus, the Word made flesh.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.

Christ is risen.

Christ will come again.

With this bread and cup we remember

your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.

We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection.

We look with hope for his coming.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Holy God, we long for your Spirit.

Come among us.  Bless this meal.

May your Word take flesh in us.

Awaken your people.  Fill us with your light.

Bring the gift of peace on earth.

Come, Holy Spirit.

All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel,

Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High,

one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  [6]

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,

and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,

and the glory are yours,

now and for ever.  Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

God of promise,

you prepare a banquet for us in your kingdom.

Happy are those who are called

to the supper of the Lamb.

The gifts of God for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

The Communion

Communion Hymn

“The Spirit of the Lord”  Songs for a Gospel People #115

The Sending Forth of the Community

Prayer after Communion

God of hope,

you call us home from the exile of selfish oppression

to the freedom of justice,

to the balm of healing,

to and the joy of sharing.

Make us strong to join you in your holy work,

as friends of strangers and victims,

companions of those whom others shun,

and as the happiness of those whose hearts are broken.

We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.   [7]

Glory to God,

whose power, working in us,

can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine.

Glory to God from generation to generation,

in the Church and in Christ Jesus,

for ever and ever.  Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”  Common Praise #101

Dismissal

Go forth in the name of Christ to prepare his way.

Thanks be to God.

Notes

Any liturgical elements not noted here are taken from ‘The Holy Eucharist’ in The Book of Alternative Services, p. 185 ff.

[1]  ‘Introductory Responses for Advent’ from The Book of Alternative Services, p. 96 alt.

[2]  ‘Scripture Prayer’ for Advent 3 of Year B in Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, p. 33 with added trinitarian doxology.

[3]  ‘Affirmation of Faith 3’ from Common Worship of the Church of England, p. 146 alt.

[4]  An absolution from Common Worship (Church of England), p. 136.

[5]  ‘Intercessory Prayer’ for Advent 3 in Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, p. 32 alt.

[6]  ‘Thanksgiving at the Table III’ from  Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 111 with the Eucharistic Preface for ‘Advent’ from The Book of Alternative Services, p. 219.

[7]  ‘Thematic Prayer’ for Advent 3 in Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, p. 32 alt.