These opening words for worship were created to accompany the Advent sermon series “Promises: Awaiting Christ in a Weary World.” The bolded words are spoken by the congregation. You are welcome to use or adapt these liturgies for worship, with credit. When printing these liturgies, please use the following credit line: “Prayer by Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett.”
Week 1: “A Promise to Put Our Hope In”
Like a table laid out for beloved guests
Like a garden lying fallow
Like a nest safeguarding young life
Like a star hovering over the horizon
We search hopefully for signs of Christ’s coming
The Kingdom of God is drawing near!
Week 2: “A Promise of Peace“
*adapted from the Book of Baruch 5:1-9, considered an apocryphal text in most Protestant traditions, likely written shortly before the birth of Jesus
Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction,
and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God
For God will give you evermore the name:
Righteous Peace, Godly Glory.
For God will lead you with joy, in the light of his glory,
with the mercy and righteousness that come from God alone.
Week 3: “A Promise to Rejoice In“
*adapted from Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (1723)
Jesus, joy of our desiring:
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by you, our souls aspiring
soar to uncreated light.
Through the way where hope is guiding,
hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in you confiding,
drink of joy from deathless springs.
Week 4: “A Promise of Love“
*adapted from Savior of the Nations, Come, a 4th century hymn text
Savior of the nations, come
Virgin’s son, make here your home.
Marvel now, O heaven and earth
that the Lord chose such a birth.
From God’s heart the Savior speeds,
back to God Christ’s pathway leads.
Night cannot this light subdue;
let our faith shine ever new!
Deep Well Worship 