Lighting the Advent Wreath Olmsted Community Church Advent, 2017

Transcription

1 Olmsted Community Church Advent, 2017 Instructions: Please come forward early so you will be ready to begin. The microphone turns on with a button at the bottom of the mic. You should see a small red light on the side of the mic, indicating power is on. There will be a candle lighter near the wreath for your use. The readings can be divided however you wish.

2 First Week in Advent, 2017 December 3 The Advent Wreath is a circle of evergreens which symbolize the never-ending love of God. The four candles on the circle represent the four weeks until Christmas. Each week we light an additional candle. The white candle in the center is the Christ Candle and is lit on Christmas Eve to represent the birth of Jesus. Today, we remember the hope that is ours as children of God. The people of Israel hoped in God's promises and were not disappointed. We light the first blue candle as a sign of our hope that Christ will come to us. Light one blue candle. Let us pray: O God, thank you for the light of hope that keeps us going through days of darkness. Help us to wait with great anticipation, as we prepare our hearts to welcome our Savior. Amen. For the Hope within our world. Hope that heard the ages call As the stars and planets whirled. Come, O Hope, to us, we pray.

3 Second Week in Advent, 2017 December 10 Light one blue candle. This is the second week in Advent. Last week we lit the first candle as a sign of hope. Now we light the second blue candle to remind us of love. Light a second blue candle. The Scriptures tell us that because God so loved the world, God sent Christ to be among us and to show us the way. In return, Christ calls us to serve our brothers and sisters in love. We are to love God and love our neighbors in equal measure. Let us pray: O Lord, keep the light of love burning in our hearts. And may we share you, the Light of the World, with all who stumble in darkness. Amen. For a Love which knows no end. Love that comes to one and all. Fear and hatred to upend. Come, O Love, to us, we pray

4 Third Week in Advent, 2017 December 17 Light two blue candles. Today is the third week of Advent. We light three candles today. The first blue candle stands for hope. The second blue candle stands for God s love that comes to us at Christmas. Now we light this rose-colored candle to remind us of the great joy that comes with Christ s birth. Light the pink candle. It s joy the angels sang about, and joy that made the wise men bring gifts to the baby born in a manger. Following their examples, we sing our joy and share gifts with one another. Let us pray: Thank you God for the joy you give us, and for the beauty of this season. Let the light of your joy shine in our lives. Amen. For the Joy this season brings. Joy like fountains brimming full. Through our world now let it ring! Come, O Joy, to us, we pray.

5 Fourth Week in Advent, 2017 December 23-24, 5pm Saturday and 10am Sunday Light two blue candles and one pink candle. Today is the fourth week of Advent. In the past three weeks, we lit candles in anticipation of Christ s coming. The first candle represents hope. The second candle reminds us of love. The third candle, a pink one, stands for the joy that Christ brings. Light the fourth candle, a blue one. Now we light the fourth candle, the last remaining blue candle. It speaks to us of peace. When we experience God s great love, we have peace and comfort in our hearts. We are moved to live as peaceful people, and as followers of Jesus Christ, we help spread God s peace with justice on earth. Let us pray: Lord Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace, and our troubled world needs the peace you offer. Open our hearts to love others, and help us to consider the needs of all your children. Let peace begin with us so that we can spread your love throughout the world. Amen. For the Peace we wish to know. Peace on Earth for great and small God s Good News to us bestows. Come, O Peace, to us, we pray.

6 Christmas Eve, 2017 December 24, 6 & 9 pm Light all four candles in the outer ring. The Advent Wreath reminds us of God s everlasting love. It is a circle of greens with no beginning and no end. Tonight we light again all four candles which we have lighted over the past four weeks. These candles remind us of hope, love, joy and peace. Light the white center candle. Tonight we also light the white candle; the Christ Candle. Its radiant light reminds us of Christ, the Light of the World. Tonight we celebrate his birth and give blessing to God for sending Christ to give us life. Let us pray: Come to us, Lord Jesus. Be born in us this night in our hearts, in our minds, and in our lives. May your light be kindled in us, O Christ, so we can live within the glow of your love. Amen.