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SERVICE OF PRAISE
Greeting/Invocation
Each evening this week, we light the First Candle 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 an Advent Hymn such as The Bridegroom Will Be Coming.
The Bridegroom will be coming in the middle of the night
And happy will those servants be whose lamps are burning bright.
But woe to those dull servants whom the Master will surprise
With lamps untrimmed, unburning and with slumber in their eyes.
Beware, my soul, be watchful, lest slumber bring you down
And in the sleep of death you fall, to lose the golden crown.
But stay awake, be sober, with a watchful eye and thus
Cry “Holy, holy, holy God, have mercy upon us.”
That day, the day of awe, will come; my soul persist in toil,
So light your lamp, and feed it well, and make it bright with oil;
For no one knows how soon may sound the cry at eventide
“Behold the Bridegroom comes! Arise! Go out to meet the bride.”
Beware my soul, beware, beware, lest deep in sleep you lie
And like the Five, remain outside, and knock and vainly cry;
But watch and keep your lamp undimmed and so with Christ put on
The glorious wedding robe of light, the glory of the Son.
Text: Idou ho nymphios erchetai, from the Horologion of the Eastern Church; tr. G. Moultrie (1864) and revised by Ralph Wrigth, OSB.
Tune: SECOND MODE MELODY. CMD Thomas Tallis (1515-1585).
SERVICE OF THE WORD
PSALMODY
Antiphon
O LOVE, who shall be admitted to your tent,
to your dwelling place?
Psalm 14/15
O Love, who shall be admitted to your house
or rest on your holy mountain?
Those who walk with integrity
and do only what is right,
speaking the truth with courage.
They never spread slander
or abuse their friends
or condemn their neighbors.
They disdain the godless
but honor those who are faithful.
Before God, they give their word
and keep it at any cost.
They do not take interest on loans
nor take bribes against the innocent.
Indeed the ones who love justice
will stand for ever unshaken.
Glory to the ONE through the WORD
In the BREATH of Love!
As always before, so now and evermore. Amen
O LOVE, who shall be admitted to your tent,
to your dwelling place?
READING: I Corinthians 1: 7-9
We await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will strengthen us to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of his coming. God is faithful and it was God who called us into this relationship with Christ. Thanks be to God
Responsory:
R. Throughout all the Earth, their voices carry.
V. Their message resounds with hope for all.
Gospel Canticle of Mary
Gospel Antiphon
There will be signs in the sun and in the moon, then the powers of heaven will be shaken. When these things happen, stand up! Lift up your heads! because your salvation is near at hand.
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 through the WORD
In the BREATH of Love!
As always before, so now and evermore. Amen
There will be signs in the sun and in the moon, then the powers of heaven will be shaken. When these things happen, stand up! Lift up your heads! because your salvation is near at hand.
SERVICE OF PRAYER
Intercessory Prayer
Let us call on the Beloved, the happiness of all who wait for God’s Reign:
Come, O Love, do not delay.
We wait in joyful hope
For your Love to appear again.
You created the world, freeing all things to be;
Walk with us now in beauty and peace.
You came to share life to the full
Free all creation to flourish together.
You gather all in your loving embrace
Show us again your radiant face.
Prayer of Jesus
Gathering our prayers and praise into one, we pray as Jesus taught the disciples:
Our Father …
Closing Prayer & Blessing
Stir up your love, O Jesus, and come. As a mother hen spreads her wings to gather her brood, extend your arms to gather and protect us. Free us to bring the warmth of your love to a world freezing in loneliness and fear. For yours is the glory and power of Love, now and forever. Amen.
May the Holy One–the Source, Guide and Goal of all that is–
bless + us and fill our hearts with compassion and love. ~ Amen
Let us bless the world with peace. ~And give thanks to God.
Those who wish may complete Evening Prayer with the Marian Antiphon for the Season.