- PRESIDERS VERSION ADVENT PRAYER SERVICE Week 1: Hope GATHERING: The Meaning of Advent

- Adapted from the Advent Devotional Guide: Preparing for the Coming of Christ by Rev. Dr. Mark. D. Roberts

Presider: Today, we come together to pray as a school community in the spirit of Advent. Advent is a word that means coming or visit. In the Christian season of Advent, we prepare for the advent of Jesus at Christmas. OPENING SONG: O come, O come, Emmanuel Presider: Please join us in singing our opening song: O come, O come, Emmanuel (No. 312 CBW III). OPENING PRAYER: Prayer for God's Help
- Adapted from the Advent Devotional Guide: Preparing for the Coming of Christ by Rev. Dr. Mark. D. Roberts

Presider: Let us begin our prayer in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. And let us pray Dear God, thank you for this season of Advent that helps us to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas. As we read the Bible and light a candle, may excitement for Jesus's birth burn in our hearts. We make this prayer to you through Christ our Lord. Amen. READING I: Luke 1:26-35 Presider: Let us now listen attentively to the word of God. Student: A reading from the Gospel of Luke: The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a maiden betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David. The name of the maiden was Mary. The angel appeared to her and said: "Hail, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you; blessed are you among women." And when she saw him, she was troubled at what he had said and wondered to herself what this greeting could mean. Then the angel continued. "Fear not, Mary, for you have found favour with God. You shall bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give him the throne of his forefather David. He shall rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." "How shall this be," Mary said to the angel, "seeing that I have no husband?" The angel answered and said to her: "The Holy Spirit shall come upon you and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you. The child that is born of you shall be holy and shall be called the Son of God." The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSE: Reection
- Adapted from Prayers for Advent at the 2 Hearts Network, Inc.

Presider: In the First Week of Advent, we prepare ourselves for the Lord's coming into our world and into our lives. We ask, "In what area of my life do I stand at a distance from God?" We examine our relationships with family, friends, classmates, and neighbours. Is our faith reected in each experience of human contact? Is love of God and neighbour the basis for our interaction with others? [Pause for reection]

READING II: Advent Wreath Lighting

- Adapted from the Advent Devotional Guide: Preparing for the Coming of Christ by Rev. Dr. Mark. D. Roberts

Student: For hundreds of years, Christians have used Advent wreaths to help us get ready for the birth of Jesus. The candles have different meanings, each based upon the Bible. By lighting candles and reading Bible verses, we are reminded about the meaning of Jesuss birth and become more excited about Christs coming: in the past as a newborn child, in the present within each of us, and in the future when Christ will come again. Today we focus on the coming of Christ as our Shepherd. [A student lights the candle] Student: We light this candle because, like God's people centuries ago, we also look forward with hope to the coming of the Shepherd. The purple colour of the candle reminds us of the seriousness of our hope. RESPONSE: Prayers of the Faithful
- Adapted from Book of Blessings prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy

Presider: Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again. Let us pray that we may be always ready to welcome him. Student: The response is R: Lord, hear our prayer. Student: We pray that the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God's love, we pray to the Lord. R. Student: We pray that the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin, we pray to the Lord. R. Student: We pray that this Advent wreath may constantly remind us to prepare for the coming of Christ, we pray to the Lord. R. Student: We pray that the Christmas season may ll us with peace and joy as we strive to follow the example of Jesus, we pray to the Lord. R. LORD'S PRAYER Presider: And now, let us unite all our prayers with the prayer of Jesus, using the words he gave us: Our Father CLOSING PRAYER: Prayer of Hope Presider: Dear God, in lighting the rst candle of our Advent wreath, we rejoice in hope of Jesus' birth and look forward to his return at the end of time. During this advent season, prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his presence will bestow. We pray for ourselves and for everyone who feels that their hope has gone. May they nd new hope that shines like this candle ame and may they remember the true meaning of Christmas. We ask this through Christ our!Lord. Amen And may Almighty God bless us: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. CLOSING SONG: People Look East Presider: Let us all joyfully join in our closing hymn, People Look East.

REFERENCES Advent Devotional Guide: Preparing for the Coming of Christ by Rev. Dr. Mark. D. Roberts: http://www.patheos.com/ blogs/markdroberts/series/advent-devotional-guide-preparing-for-the-coming-of-christ/ Advent Prayer at Catholic Online: https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=357 Book of Blessings prepared by International Commission on English in the Liturgy: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/ liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=729 Prayers for Advent at the 2 Hearts Network, Inc.: http://www.2heartsnetwork.org/advent.htm Prayers for Advent Wreath at the Spiritual Child Network: http://spiritualchild.co.uk/adventprayers.html

O come, O come, Emmanuel (No. 312 CBW III). O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who orderest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Refrain O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, and give them victory over the grave. Refrain O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to ight. Refrain O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home; make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery. Refrain O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times once gave the law in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree, an ensign of thy people be; before thee rulers silent fall; all peoples on thy mercy call. Refrain O come, Desire of nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid thou our sad divisions cease, and be thyself our King of Peace. Refrain O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Refrain

People Look East People, look east. The time is near! Of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth and set the table. People, look east and sing today: Love, the guest, is on the way. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare, One more seed is planted there: Give up your strength the seed to nourish, That in course the ower may ourish. People, look east and sing today: Love, the rose, is on the way. Birds, though you long have ceased to build, Guard the nest that must be lled. Even the hour when wings are frozen God for edging time has chosen. People, look east and sing today: Love, the bird, is on the way. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim One more light the bowl shall brim, Shining beyond the frosty weather, Bright as sun and moon together. People, look east and sing today: Love, the star, is on the way. Angels, announce with shouts of mirth Christ who brings new life to earth. Set every peak and valley humming With the word, the Lord is coming. People, look east and sing today: Love, the Lord, is on the way.