th 4 week of ADVENT SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER

th 4 week of ADVENT SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER Together: Growing, Caring, Sharing in God’s Love

WELCOME TO THIS SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER. The Power. Point presentation will give you all you need to say at home this morning prayer. For the Song, just click on the title, and the weblink will open it directly in your computer. Watch the video in full screen, then come back to this presentation. The Psalm can be read by two people or two groups of people if you want. You may start by lighting a candle.

Lord our God, reveal among us the light of your presence, All that we may see your power and glory.

(Time of quiet to be in presence of the Lord)

O Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel, All you open and no one can shut, you shut and no one can open;

Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, All those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

SONG ‘O little town of Bethlehem (The Glory of Christmas)’

Blessed are you, Sovereign God of all: All to you be praise and glory for ever.

In your tender compassion, the dawn from on high is breaking upon us: All to dispel the lingering shadows of night.

As we look for your coming this day, open our eyes to see your presence, All and strengthen our hands to do your will, that the world may rejoice and give you praise.

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: All Blessed be God for ever!

The night has passed, and the day lies open before us; let us pray with one heart and mind.

All As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and for ever. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD The light in our darkness

PSALM Psalm 132 part 1 (Good News Version)

LORD, do not forget David and all the hardships he endured. 2 Remember, LORD, what he promised, the vow he made to you, the Mighty God of Jacob:

“I will not go home or go to bed; 4 I will not rest or sleep, 5 until I provide a place for the LORD, a home for the Mighty God of Jacob. ” 3

6 In Bethlehem we heard about the Covenant Box, and we found it in the fields of Jearim.

7 We said, “Let us go to the LORD's house; let us worship before his throne. ”

8 Come to the Temple, LORD, with the Covenant Box, the symbol of your power, and stay here forever.

9 May your priests do always what is right; may your people shout for joy!

Glory to the Father, by the Son, in the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen. Or: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Jesus, Son of David, make us a priestly people; clothe us in righteousness, make us fruitful, and give us hearts to shout for joy in your salvation; we pray in the power of the Spirit. Amen.

READING (News International Reader Version) Follow a Reading Plan of your choice: https: //www. biblegateway. com/reading-plans/ or read the verses on the next slide.

5 “A new day is coming, ” announces the LORD. “At that time I will raise up for David’s royal line a godly Branch. He will be a King who will rule wisely. He will do what is fair and right in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved. Israel will live in safety. And the Branch will be called The LORD Who Makes Us Right With Himself. (Jeremiah 23. 5 -6; NIr. V)

A voice cries out in the wilderness, All ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’. The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come near, All all flesh will see the salvation of God. . Glory to the Father, by the Son, in the Holy Spirit: All A voice cries out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’.

(Time of quiet adoration)

CANTICLE Luke 1. 68 -69 (Good News Version) Look towards the east, O Jerusalem, and see the glory that is coming from God.

“Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel! He has come to the help of his people and has set them free. He has provided for us a mighty Saviour, a descendant of his servant David.

He promised through his holy prophets long ago that he would save us from our enemies, from the power of all those who hate us.

He said he would show mercy to our ancestors and remember his sacred covenant.

With a solemn oath to our ancestor Abraham he promised to rescue us from our enemies and allow us to serve him without fear, so that we might be holy and righteous before him all the days of our life.

You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his road for him, to tell his people that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven.

Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path of peace.

Glory to the Father, by the Son, in the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen. Or: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.

Look towards the east, O Jerusalem, and see the glory that is coming from God.

PRAYERS FOR THE WORLD -For our family, friends and all whom we love -For the day and its tasks

That the Church may live in the light of God’s coming and have a longing for his kingdom.

(We offer ourselves to the Lord)

All Eternal God, as Mary waited for the birth of your Son, so we wait for his coming in glory; bring us through the birth pangs of this present age to see, with her, our great salvation in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Awaiting his coming in glory, as our Saviour taught us, so we pray with confidence:

(Modern Version) (Traditional Version) 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. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen. 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. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

SONG ‘We have a Saviour’

SENDING OUT May the Lord, when he comes: All find us watching and waiting.

Let us bless the Lord. All Thanks be to God.

Some material in the service is © The Archbishops’ Council 2000, 2002, 2006