Hope for the World 
Service Prayers for the First Sunday of Advent
November 29, 2015

Call to Worship
In Advent we watch and wait, and  prepare to welcome the Christ Child into the world. 
Come, Lord Jesus, come!

In Advent we prepare for a life of discipleship, 
and watch faithfully for signs of God’s light breaking into the world.
Come, Lord Jesus, come!

As we wait, dear One, we watch for signs of your action in the world, 
Actions of compassion and grace breaking in.  
Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Holy God, we recognize that we do not know the day or the hour, 
but we know that the day is near. 
Come, Lord Jesus, come!  Be born anew in our world and in our lives. 

Invocation
In this season as the days grow shorter and the shadows lengthen, 
we gather in eager expectation for the Light of the World to dawn. 
Help us, God, to lay aside all the works of night 
and even our cynicism as we enter this sacred season. 
During this hour of worship, send your Spirit to empower us 
to live in the light with hope. Amen.   

Prayer of Confession 
Holy and Loving God, 
we give thanks for the promise of this sacred season 
and for the joy we find in the Christ Child. 
Yet even as we rejoice, 
we recognize that we often fail to live with the hope of redemption. 
In this season of anticipation, we know that we are easily distracted 
by our own projects and preparation. 
We lose focus on the one who is the Source of our joy. 
Forgive us, God, and restore our hope in you. Amen. 

Assurance of Pardon
The promise of the season of Advent 
is the promise of Emmanuel, God with us. 
Jesus calls us to keep awake so that we are ready for God’s arrival. 
Therefore, let us lay aside all those things that distract us from faithful watching for God. 
Friends, believe the Good News of the Gospel: 
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Call to Offering and Prayer of Dedication
In response to the promise of God, 
let us give thanks through the presentation of our gifts and offerings. 

God of hopeful waiting, we give thanks for all of the ways 
in which you reveal yourself to us. 
Help us to clear away the many distractions of this season 
and offer our whole lives as gifts to you. 
May these offerings nurture all of the ways 
in which your promise is breaking into the world in acts of compassion and justice. 
May these gifts nurture your rule of peace.          Amen.  

Benediction
Go into the world and keep awake!  
The time is drawing near when God’s hope will be revealed. 
Go into the world and keep watch! 
The signs of God’s light are breaking into the world. 
Go into the world and nurture hope for justice and peace 
this day and always.  Amen. 

Hope for the World: Service Prayers for the First Sunday of Advent,  was written by the Rev. Christopher Ney, Pastor of Central Congregational Church, UCC, of Newburyport, MA.

Copyright 2015 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation 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.