Monday, December 19, 2011

Advent, Week 4: Peace

In light of today's events, I feel the need to post this rather quickly.  I'm sure I'll kick myself tomorrow for staying up this late.  In case, somehow, you've been away from all forms of information-spreading devices today, Kim Jong Il is dead, putting his 29-ish-year-old son, Kim Jong Un, in charge.  It's on the tips of everyone's tongues, here in my little part of the peninsula.  No one knows how this is going to turn out, but this man has a chance to restore peace and reunite Korea.  Therefore, as we go through this time of Advent together, I beg you to keep this man in your prayers.  For more information on Kim Jong Un, click here.


As always, click the title of this post for a (almost always) relevant video to tie everything together.





(As adapted from the Book of Common Prayer):

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) 




The Confession:
Let us confess our sins against G-d and our neighbor:
Most merciful G-d, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in you will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen. 
Almighty G-d, have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our L-rd Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.


The Psalter (sung):
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen.  Amen.


Luke 1:46-55

Candle Lighting: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (verses 8, 2, 4, and 1...depending on your hymnal)

O come, Desire of nations, bind 
In one the hearts of all mankind; 
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, 
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orders all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go. 
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel 

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of G-d appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.




Prayers 
The L-rd be with you. 
And also with you. 
Let us pray.


The L-rd's Prayer
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,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us. 
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power, 
and the glory, forever. 
Amen.


Prayers of the People
Each person may voice a prayer aloud, ending with “This is my prayer.”
We will respond: 
“L-rd, hear our prayer.”


Prayer Response:


The Advent Prayer:

We beseech thee, almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son our Lord cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen



The Closing Prayer:
Almighty G-d, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: fulfill now, O L-rd, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.


Blessing:
May the G-d of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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