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SERVICE OF PRAISE
Greeting/Invocation
On this evening we light three candles on the Advent Wreath, and say or sing:
Light and Peace in Jesus Christ our Lord!
~Thanks be to God!
Let your face shine on us, O God;
~And we shall be saved.
ADVENT EVENING HYMN
All may sing or alternate the verses of the Advent Evening Hymn—
The voice of God goes out through all the world:
God’s glory speaks across the universe.
The great One’s herald cries from star to star;
With pow’r, with justice, Love will walk this way.
Our God has said, “Receive my messenger,
My promise to the world, my pledge made flesh,
A lamp to ev’ry nation, light from light:
With pow’r, with justice, Love will walk this way.
The broken reed will not be trampled down,
Nor heel be set upon the dying flame,
Love binds the wounds, and health is near at hand:
With pow’r, with justice, Love will walk this way.
Anointed with the Spirit and with pow’r,
Love comes to crown with comfort all the weak,
To show the face of justice to the poor:
With pow’r, with justice, Love will walk this way.
Love’s touch will bless the eyes that darkness held,
the lame shall run, the halting tongue shall sing,
And pris’ners laugh in light and liberty:
With pow’r, with justice, Love will walk this way.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
PSALMODY
One or more of the Antiphons for the Third Sunday of Advent may be sung with their respective Psalms.
Antiphon 1
Jerusalem, joy with great rejoicing,
for your Savior comes unto you, alleluia!
Psalm 109/110
Adonai, to the One who will reign:
“Come and be My companion;
We will undo selfishness and sin.”
The Spirit will bring from Zion
The power and strength to save:
Love changing foes into friends.
Precious from the day of your birth
on the holy mountain;
from the womb before the dawn I begot you.
The Promise holds true forever:
Your ministry is Loving-Kindness–
A priest like Melchizedek of old.
Companions of the Most High are ready
To liberate all who suffer from evil.
The One who calls us to justice
Invites us to join in the struggle:
Enlightening all who are unaware of the truth.
Drink from streams of Living Water,
Lift up your head and celebrate the feast.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Jerusalem, joy with great rejoicing,
for your Savior comes unto you, alleluia!
Antiphon 2
I will place salvation in Zion
and in Jerusalem my glory, alleluia!
Psalm 110/111
I will thank Adonai with all my heart
wherever the just meet or assemble.
Great are your works O my God;
a delight to explore and ponder.
Your creation is majestic and glorious
Your justice remains forever.
Who can forget your wonders!
filled with compassion and love!
You give food to all the faithful,
ever-mindful of your sacred covenant.
You revealed your strength to this people
by giving them land among the nations.
You rule with justice and truth;
Your decrees are helpful and certain;
each law reveals you can be trusted
and can be lived with faith and assurance.
Adonai has delivered this people
and established a covenant for ever.
Your holy Name fills us with awe!
Reverence for the Holy One is the beginning of wisdom,
wise are those who know how to live it!
Praise Adonai forever!
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
I will place salvation in Zion
and in Jerusalem my glory, alleluia!
Antiphon 3
Let us live justly and with reverence
looking for that blessed hope and coming of the Lord.
Psalm 111/112
Happy are those who love God
and delight in the whole of Torah!
Their children shall be blest,
strong and upright in the land.
The households of the just will flourish
their integrity stands firm forever.
A light shines from them for others
for they are generous, merciful and just.
The good lend freely to others
and conduct their affairs with honor.
They never waver from doing what is right
their justice is remembered forever.
They do not fear evil news
with strong hearts they trust in God.
Steadfast and without fear
they will watch the wicked crumble.
Open-handed they share with the poor;
their integrity stands firm forever.
this strength will bring them honor.
But hatred devours the wicked
who grind their teeth and depart;
their hopes all turn to ashes.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Let us live justly and with reverence
looking for that blessed hope and coming of the Lord.
READING: Philippians 4:4-5
Rejoice in our God always! Again, I say: Rejoice!
Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near.
Silent Reflection
Responsory
R. Do not weep, city of Jerusalem, for Adonai . is grieved over you * and God will take away all your troubles. V. See, Adonai is coming; the Holy One rules with a mighty arm; * and God will take away all your troubles.
Canticle of Mary: Luke 1:46-55
Antiphon
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad
with her forever, all you who love her!
It is customary to make the sign of the cross at the beginning of the Gospel Canticle.
My heart + is radiant with the Lord,
My whole being delights in God my Savior.
All people now will call me blessed
For God has loved this humble handmaid.
The Almighty has shown me great favor
Holy is the NAME,
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
From one generation to the next.
The mighty arm of God,
Scatters the proud in their own conceit,
Pulls tyrants from their thrones
While lifting up the lowly:
Fills the famished with bounty,
And reveals the emptiness of riches.
Rescues lowly Israel,
Sharing such loving kindness,
As promised to our ancestors
To Abraham and Sarah, and their descendants forever.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the Holy BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad
with her forever, all you who love her!
SERVICE OF PRAYER
Litany
Let us call on the Beloved, the happiness of all who wait for God’s Reign:
~ Come, O Love, do not delay.
Let the day come when any who suffer ~ will find your compassion.
Let the day come when all poverty ~will find your riches.
Let the day come when all who mourn ~will find your consoling touch.
Let the day come when our many paths ~will find your welcoming embrace.
Let the day come when our work repairing the Earth, ~will find your new creation.
Let the day come when our hope and joy ~will find fulfillment in your presence.
Prayer of Jesus
You taught us to pray,
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Stir up your joy in our hearts, O God of Gladness! May we bring the light of your presence and the warmth of your love to a world freezing in darkness and fear. For yours is the glory and power of Love, now and forever. Amen.
May the Holy ONE who makes joy to rain down from the heavens
+ shower this Earth with justice and peace. ~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai.
~Thanks be to God.
Those who wish may pray the Marian Antiphon for Advent.