Advent 1 -- Candlelighting -- Year C [PDF]
   Lift Up Your Heads!

First Sunday of Advent

Hymn             Toda La Tierra (All Earth is Waiting) verse 1                  TNCH  121

Leader One:     These are days of struggle for people at home and around our world:
                       Employment is uncertain and money tight;
                       Health challenges abound, but health care is expensive;
                       War has gone on a long, long time;
                       Even our earth home suffers from long abuse.

People:            Anxiety is a constant companion; Hope feels like a stranger.

Leader Two:     We call out in our anxiety:

People:            Show us how you work, GOD; School us in your ways.
                        Take us by the hand; Lead us down the path of [well-being].
                        You are our Savior, aren’t you?
                        Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, GOD….

            Psalm 25: 5-7a adapted from The Message © 2002 Eugene H. Peterson;
reproduced with permission

Leader One:     We remind our selves of God’s ancient promises:
                       Justice is coming!  Love is on the way!
                       Lift up your heads and watch for the signs!   (Luke 21: 28, paraphrase)

Leader Two:     Let us light this first candle of Advent, a candle of Hope.
                      In its light, let us think about what signs we are seeing
                      of God at work in our lives and in our world right now.
                      In a few words, let’s share those signs with each other.

People:            Share briefly

Leader One:     Let this candle of Advent Hope shine in our hearts all week
                       And remind us to lift up our heads and open our eyes
                       to watch all around us for signs of the Holy  One.

Song                          The Universe is Bending                      Sing! Prayer and Praise 88

                                    The Universe is bending,
                                    Stretching long and stretching out,
                                    Embracing all our struggles with
                                    Gentle arms of Hope.

                                    The Universe is bending,
                                    Stretching long and stretching out
                                    And it’s leading toward Justice
                                    By the Clear Light of Love.

                                    Words: Jeremy McLeod © 2006. All rights reserved.  Used by permission.    

Lift Up Your Heads! Advent One Candlelighting Service was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Worship, Liturgy and Spiritual Formation, LCM.
Copyright 2009 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.