Advent Candle Liturgy

November 29, 2009

Reader 1:	See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the 			Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to the temple. The messenger of 			the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of 			hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

Reader 2:	We come to this Advent season because of messengers who have prepared 		the way. The prophets of Israel spoke of hope and hearts were prepared. 			The angel Gabriel spoke of hope and Mary’s life was prepared. Let us 			light the Candle of Hope as we prepare to enter this Advent season.

Lighter:	Light first candle.

Reader 1:	Our hearts and lives are well-prepared and never-prepared for Christmas. 			Messengers of hope speak to us in times of doubt, indecision, illness and 			loss and in times of joy, wonder and expectation. Some are pastors, 			teachers, musicians … some 	are parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends 			… some even are strangers. We pause this morning to remember				messengers of hope we have known.
		(Silence. In some churches people may feel free to softly voice names of 			messengers of hope in their lives.)

Reader 2:	(Let us pray) Emmanuel, let us this morning be fully open and prepared 			for hope – hope for ourselves, those we love, our church, our community 			and our world. We can get ourselves ready for the Christmas hope. Let 			each of us this week be a hope-messenger for one other person. Amen.
	
The annual Christmas Fund – Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund -- offers hope through pension supplements to active and retired clergy [and active and retired lay employees???] who have been messengers of hope to churches throughout the United Church of Christ.

First Sunday in Advent Unison Prayer Option

See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me … (Malachi 3:1a)

Emmanuel, God-promised and always with us, in the midst of our preparations – the trees and cards, the pageant and presents -- we offer thanks for your faithful people of all times and places who have prepared our inner mangers for the birth of Christ. They have shared your message of hope in our church through word and song, church school classes, green boughs and Advent bulletins. Their preparations have made us hope-messengers in our daily lives. Amen.

December 6, 2009 (Please note that Malachi 3:1-4 is today’s lectionary reading)

Reader 1:	See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the 			Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to the temple. The messenger of 			the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of 			hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

Lighter:	Last week we lit the Candle of Hope and spoke a message of hope. (light 			first candle) We remember hope-messengers in our lives who prepare us 			for Christ.

Reader 2:	John the Baptist was a messenger of a fierce and demanding peace. The 			angels bent down with a melodic peace. This is the Candle of Peace. We 			remember that peace in family, church, community or world does not 			come easily – it takes persistent preparation, repentance, reconciliation, 			and a willingness for change. 

Lighter:	Light second candle.

Reader 1: 	Our minds and wills are well-prepared and never-prepared for Christmas. 			Peacemakers offer a quiet word in an argument, a compromise in a 			conflict, a treaty in a crisis. We pause now to pray in our hearts for the 			places where peace is needed and for peacemakers who are willing to 			share it. (Silence. In some churches people may softly name personal 			conflicts, community or global strife, names of those in military service.)

Reader 2: 	(Let us pray) Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, let us this morning be fully open 		and prepared for peace – soul-peace for ourselves, peace of mind and 			spirit for those we love, reconciliation in church and community and	 		world. We can get ourselves ready for the Christmas peace. Let each of us 			this week be a peace-messenger for one other person. Amen.

The annual Christmas Fund – Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund -- health supplements bring peace of mind and spirit to many retired pastors, musicians, sextons and administrators.

Second Sunday in Advent Unison Prayer Option:

See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me … (Malachi 3:1a)

Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, we give thanks that in our church the preparations for Christmas are peaceful when this season is so defined by pressure and purchase. We thank you for our church name here and for those who shape its ministries – pastor, sexton, musician, educator, administrator. Because of their preparations we can offer a message of reconciliation and tranquility to family, school, community and your precious world. Amen.  
December 13, 2009

Reader 1:	See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the 			Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to the temple. The messenger of 			the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of 			hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

Lighter: 	Last week we lit the Candle of Hope and the Candle of Peace for 				messengers of hope and preparations for peace. (light two candles) 	We 			claim these bright flames not just for history, but for our-story.

Reader 2:	This is the Candle of Joy. If Christ suddenly came to our “temple,” joy 			would be found -- mitten trees and cantatas, caroling for shut-ins and card-			making for prisons, posadas and piñatas – unambiguous non-commercial 			happiness, and yet tenderness for those whose Christmas is blue.

Lighter:	Light third candle. In some churches this is a rose candle.

Reader 1: 	Our churches and homes are well-prepared and yet they can never fully be 		prepared for Christmas. We understand how Mary, pregnant with Christ, 			could sing, “… my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” and then praise God 			for turning things upside down. We welcome the shake-up in our often 			joy-stingy lives and pause to identify one true source of rejoicing this year 			-- even a child’s smile or one string of tinsel brightening tough times.			(Instead of silence, soft bars of “Joy to the World” or in a church which 			doesn’t use carols, “Joyful, Joyful, we Adore You.” In some churches, 			people may wish to softly pray the things that bring joy.)

Reader 2:	(Let us pray) Emmanuel, let us this morning be fully open and prepared 			for joy – precious, ridiculous, fleeting and enduring grace-moments for 			ourselves, those we love, our church, our community and our world. We 			can get ourselves ready for the Christmas joy. Let each of us this week be 			a joy-messenger for one other person. Amen.

The annual Christmas Fund – Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund -- sends Christmas gift checks that bring joy to retired clergy [and lay workers???] – this year more than _____ of whom are one hundred years old or older.

Third Sunday in Advent Unison Prayer Option:

See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me … (Malachi 3:1a)

Emmanuel, joy to your world! Where joy is least expected – among refugees and those incarcerated, among those who experience the weight of diagnosis or lay-off, among finger-weary store clerks, foot-weary mail carriers and retired church workers who may feel forgotten – prepare a surprise and let us be the “magi” who deliver it! Amen. 
December 20, 2009 

Reader 1:	See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the 			Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to the temple. The messenger of 			the covenant in whom you delight – indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of 			hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

Lighter:	In this season, we light the Candle of Hope for the messengers of hope in 			our lives, the Candle of Peace for those who prepare in spirit and struggle  			for peace on earth, and the beautiful Candle of Joy which reminds us of 			the sudden arrival of wonder which is Advent. 
		(Light three previously lit candles, the rose candle last.)

Reader 2:	This is the Candle of Love. The One who was coming is come for us. God 			becomes a human baby. Stars shine in stables and all travelers, wise and 			simple, who can find the star in the sky can find the way to God.

Lighter:	Light fourth candle

Reader 1:	This is how we prepare for the Coming One – we love one another. We 			don’t check our list twice – we know that everyone is on it, and most 			particularly those who need hope or healing, peace or patience, joy or 			justice, and those we do not want to love. We are never prepared to 			receive God’s love for ourselves. Let us pause for a moment, not to think 			about presents but God’s presence.		
		(Silence. People may softly voice names for intercessory prayer.)

Reader 2:	(Let us pray) Emmanuel, let us this morning be fully open and prepared --			to receive love for ourselves, to offer love to others in a box with a bow or 			a single word, to expect our church to sing love, share love, and hold love 			like a modern day manger for those near and far away. We have worked 			hard to be ready for the Christmas love. Let each of us pause long enough 			this week be a love-messenger for one other person. Amen.
 
Both active and retired clergy and lay employees experience love as emergency assistance in time of need from the annual Christmas Fund.

Fourth Sunday in Advent Unison Prayer Option:

See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me … (Malachi 3:1a)

Emmanuel, somebody hoped we would come to church; somebody prepared so that we would find peace when we arrived; somebody sang so much joy it was contagious; and somebody preached and practiced love. For each of these gift-givers we give thanks and return to them the love your birth makes possible in our hearts through the Christmas Fund and especially the relief of the Emergency Fund. Amen
December 24, 2009 Evening and December 25, 2009

Reader 1:	See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me … 
		(Malachi 3:1a)

Lighter:	We light our first candle because we are the messengers of Hope – long 			ago and everyday. (Light candle)
		
		We light our second candle because God has prepared Peace for us – from 		the first angel song to the peacemakers of our generation. (Light candle) 
		
		We light the third candle because God sends us Joy in the simple symbols 			of this season, in the sanctuary of this holy evening (day), in the faces of 			all we meet. (Light candle) 		
		
		We light the fourth candle because love comes before us in Bethlehem’s 			story and we, like shepherds and magi, gather around it. (Light candle)
		(Four people may make these statements and light the candles.) 	

Reader 2:	Tonight we light the Christ Candle so we can sit awhile in its light and 			hear the story with open hearts, and then we can go out again to share it 			with all of God’s children.

Lighter:	Light Christ Candle.

Reader 1:	(Let us pray) Emmanuel, we have prepared for this evening (morning) in 			wise and sometimes frivolous ways. We have hushed and rushed, and yet 			we are never completely ready for the hope, peace, joy, love and sheer 			wonder of the good tidings that now we sing and speak, pray and light in 			our hearts. You are always a surprise! Amen 
Responsive Reading for General Use  (for churches that do not light an Advent wreath or wish to do the offering in one focus, using Malachi 3:1 )

Leader:	“See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me,” said the 			prophet Malachi, and John the Baptist took a turn as messenger, too.
		We give thanks for messengers of God’s good tidings whom we know,
		because they help us all to prepare God’s way in our time.

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	Pastors and preachers proclaim the nativity of Christ. They meet us in the 			mangers of our lives through counseling and visiting, sharing communion 			and committees. They are messengers of word and sacrament.

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	Chaplains support us in college and hospital, military service and
		correctional facilities. Pastoral counselors accompany us as we prepare 			new paths through our lives. These are messengers of comfort and 				compassion, justice and truth. 

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.
		
Leader:	Christian educators and youth ministers organize the pageant, the mission 			trip, the bowling night and the holy play. They are messengers of all our 			faith practices.

People: 	Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	Sextons are messengers with tables and snow shovels, the crèche on the 			lawn and the casket coming into the church with dignity. Administrators 			are the messengers of website and phone call, calendar and coordination. 			They are the messengers of messages and they remember our names.

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	Musicians cantata and carol. They rehearse with aging tenors, squirming 			fourth graders and anxious wedding couples. As messengers, they take a 			feather from the angels’ book.

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	We celebrate all of these messengers who share Christ’s coming, each 			with a different gift. Honoring their ministries we bring our own gifts that 			together we may prepare the way for the One who comes.

People:		Emmanuel, God who is coming and yet is always with us, we give you 			thanks for those who share your message in our midst and in 				congregations throughout the country, and who prepare us in so many 			ways to experience the Christmas good tidings, as well as the good tidings 			of February, June, August and October. Bless these gifts that they may, 			indeed, sustain and support your faithful messengers. Amen.

Collection of the Annual Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and emergency Fund gifts should include explanation of the four uses (pension and health supplements, emergency assistance and Christmas Gift checks).

General use litany, adapted to receiving the offering at another time of year:

Leader:	“See I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me,” said the 			prophet Malachi, and John the Baptist took a turn as messenger, too.
		We give thanks for messengers of God’s Good News whom we know,
		because they help us all to prepare God’s way in our time.

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	Pastors and preachers tell the Bethlehem birth, the Galilee stories, the 			Jerusalem sorrow, the resurrection joy, and the wild red Pentecost church. 			They counsel and visit; they share communion and committees. They are 			messengers of word and sacrament.

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	Chaplains support us in college and hospital, military service and
		correctional facilities. Pastoral counselors accompany us as we prepare 			new paths through our lives. These are messengers of comfort and 				compassion, justice and truth. 

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.
		
Leader:	Christian educators and youth ministers organize pageants and mission 			trips, bowling nights and holy play. They are messengers of all our 				faith practices.

People: 	Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	Sextons are messengers with tables, rakes and shovels, the crèche on the 			lawn and the casket coming into the church with dignity. Administrators 			are the messengers of website and phone call, calendar and coordination. 			They are the messengers of messages and they remember our names.

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	Musicians play preludes over chatter and offer anthems that touch hearts. 			They rehearse with aging tenors, squirming fourth graders and anxious 			wedding couples. As messengers, they take a feather from the angels’ 			book.

People:		Prepare we the way of our God.

Leader:	We celebrate all of these messengers who share Christ’s coming, each 			with a different gift. This morning we give from our abundance to those 			who have shared themselves with this and other faith communities. These 			gifts provide support in need, emergency assistance and special blessing.

People:		Gracious God, we give thanks for those whose voices, minds, spirits and 			hands share the message of your love and prepare us to share it in our 			lives. Their care for the church is faithful in all seasons. Bless these  gifts 			that they may express our thanks to retired and active clergy and lay 			employees of our churches. Amen. 

Collection of the Annual Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and Emergency Fund gifts should include explanation of the four uses (pension and health supplements, emergency assistance and Christmas Gift checks).

Prayers of Dedication for Christmas Fund Gifts:

(For the Fourth Sunday in Advent)

Emmanuel, God who is coming and yet is always with us, we give you thanks for those who share your message in our midst and in congregations throughout the country, and who prepare us in so many ways to experience the Christmas good tidings, as well as the good tidings of February, June, August and October. We make this offering for pastors, musicians, Christian educators, administrators and sextons in recognition of their service. Bless these gifts that they may, indeed, bring hope, peace, joy and all our love to your faithful messengers. Amen.

(For Christmas Eve)

Gracious God, we give you thanks for messengers of good tidings and preparers of joy – retired and active clergy and lay employees of our congregation and other churches who are faithful in words, tuneful in carols and as persistent in their tasks as the wandering magi. On this holy night of Bethlehem, we ask that these small gifts become a manger – unexpected but needed, a grace that holds our love and the light of God’s pure star. Amen.

(Sunday after Christmas)

Gracious God, our Advent preparations are past, the Christmas presents are no longer present, even the greens are crisp and fragile, but the wonder in our hearts is full and new and fresh, in part because of the faithfulness of those who serve our congregation.
Bless these Christmas Fund gifts that they may express our gratitude and offer help, healing and hope in times of need for retired and active clergy and lay employees of our churches who are messengers of the Messiah not only on holy-days but on the messy ordinary ones of the year to come. Amen