To Dream God’s Dream
Service Prayers for the Second Sunday of Advent

(Each Advent service includes a simple candle-lighting prayer; others may be found at http://www.ucc.org/worship/worship-ways/archive-for-advent-and.html )

Candle Lighting Prayer  (after Isaiah 11: 1-10; Matthew 3:2)

We dream God’s dream, of a world at peace

Where enemies are reconciled, and children play in safety;

Where the poor and powerless find justice.

We remember God’s promise of a Ruler of Peace,

Filled with the Spirit of God, of wisdom and understanding,

Of counsel and might, of justice and faithfulness.

We light this Advent candle, and we pray:

Come Lord Jesus! 

Open our lives to the Peace which you bring;

let us turn to you, and get ready!

Call to Worship  (after Matthew 3: 1-12; Romans 15: 7) 

The Reign of God is drawing near:      

The prophet calls us to change our lives!

Prepare the way for the Lord:

                          A just and peaceful path!

            Welcome one another, for Christ welcomes you:

                        For the glory of God!

Invocation  after Matthew 11: 3-5                   

            Holy God,

We long for your peace, and trust in your promise;

we hear your call to turn toward you,

to change our lives and welcome you in.

            Meet us here and fill

our minds with your wisdom

and our hearts with your peace,

            that our worship together

                        may open us to the challenge

                        of your dream of wholeness for all.

            In the Name of the One who is coming, we pray.  Amen!

 Call to Confession  

Oh God, you call us to turn our lives around,

and work with patience and diligence

to prepare the way for your Reign,

but we get discouraged and give up too soon.

                        Lord, Have mercy.

Oh God, you call us to collaborate in community

to prepare the way your Reign,

but we neither trust nor honor the gifts of others.

                        Christ, have mercy.

Oh God, you call us to be full of joyful confidence

to prepare the way for your Reign,

but we burden ourselves with anxiety and fear.

                        Lord, have mercy.

(a moment of silent prayer)

Forgive us, O God, and lead us in the ways of patience, community and joy.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news:  Jesus, savior from sin, is present with us

                        in the painstaking work of the Reign of God 

                                    forgiving our weakness,

                                    rebuilding our relationships,

                                    restoring our joy. 

Let us celebrate this great grace by offering to one another a sign of Christ’s peace.

Passing the Peace

Call to Offering

The Ruler of Peace coming, the prophet Isaiah says,

and we await that Gift of God together;

our gifts today in this season of waiting and hope

help us to strengthen one another and to offer hope to the world

as we look forward to that great day of everlasting joy. 

Let us gather our gifts together and present them as an offering to God.

Prayer of Dedication

            With these gifts, dear God,

            accept the praise and thanksgiving of our hearts,

            which rejoice in your goodness and love.

            Let our gifts point to your presence in the world,

            and further your dream for the world

            through Jesus, Emmanuel, God-with-us.                             Amen.

Benediction

            Let us go forth with eyes to see and ears to hear and voices to proclaim:

                        In the work of justice: Christ!

                        In the practice of mercy: Christ!

                        In good news for the poor: Christ!

                        In the vision of peace: Christ!                           Amen! Thanks be to God!

To Dream God’s Dream: Service Prayers for the Second Sunday of Advent,  was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Worship, Liturgy and Spiritual Formation, Local Church Ministries.

Copyright 2010 Local Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.