Advent, Advent Wreath, Narrative Lectionary

Advent Wreath Liturgies for Narrative Lectionary Year 2

Martha Spong

Updated to include Christmas Eve and an Advent Carol of response.

It’s time for Advent wreath liturgies again. This year I’ve done my utmost to tie the Narrative Lectionary texts to the Advent theme words (hope, peace, joy and love) by choosing short sections of Psalms to come before a responsive reading, followed by lighting the candle for the week. You’ll see the sermon title/weekly theme I’ll be using at the beginning of each week’s liturgy. The phrase repeats in the liturgy itself. I’ve included a suggested hymn to follow each week; they are all from the New Century Hymnal, in use at the UCC church I serve. I’ve also written a thematic carol to use, with weekly verses, which you can find here: Now It’s Time to Light the Candle (REGENT SQUARE or PICARDY). All texts are NRSV.

Permission is granted to use these liturgies and/or the carol; I ask that you leave a comment telling me your church name and location, because I love knowing where they are going.

Advent 1 – The Book of Hope – 2 Kings 22:1-10, [14-20]; 23:1-3

Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.
Our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you. (Psalm 33:20-22)

One: Something’s coming.
Many: We’re waiting. We’re eager.
One: It’s more than presents.
Many: It’s more than lights.
One: We open the Book of Hope and read the promise.
Many: God will be with us.
One: Our hearts are glad; we trust God’s holy name.
Many: God’s never-ending love surrounds us.
One: Today we light the candle of Hope.
(Light the first candle.)
All: Our hope is in the Lord.

Suggested Hymn of response – O How Shall I Receive You

Advent 2 – The Promise of Peace – Isaiah 40:1-11

Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
for he will speak peace to his people,
to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
righteousness and peace will kiss each other. (Psalm 85:8-10)

One: Can you hear it?
Many: What is it?
One: God’s Word is coming.
Many: We’re listening. We’re eager to hear.
One: A voice cries out and declares the Promise of Peace.
Many: We stand in awe.
One: Things are going to even out in the world.
Many: All people will embrace each other.
One: Today we light the candle of Peace.
(Light the second candle.)
All: Our peace comes from God.

Suggested Hymn of response – It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

Advent 3 – The House of Joy – Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4; 10-13

O send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling.

Then I will go to the altar of God,
to God my exceeding joy;
and I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God. (Psalm 43:3-4)

One: It’s getting closer.
Many: We feel it!
One: The days are shorter, but the lights burn brighter.
Many: We’re listening. We’re eager to hear good news.
One: We’ve gathered together in the House of Joy.
Many: We’re here to praise God with our voices.
One: We’re here to praise God with beautiful music.
Many: We’re here to praise God with all we have.
One: Today we light the candle of Joy.
(Light the third candle.)
All: We worship God with exceeding joy!

Suggested Hymn of response – On Christmas Night All Christians Sing

Advent 4 – The Language of Love – Luke 1:5-13, 57-80

I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to my servant David:
‘I will establish your descendants forever,
and build your throne for all generations.’” (Psalm 89:1-4)

One: New life is coming.
Many: We can count it in days now.
One: God is breaking through.
Many: God’s Word will change the world.
One: We will all be changed by the Language of Love.
Many: The covenant has come down Advent-Wreath-Joythrough the generations.
One: The love of God is never-ending.
Many: We give thanks for God’s faithfulness.
One: Today we light the candle of Love.
(Light the fourth candle.)
All: We give thanks for God’s steadfast Love.

Suggested Hymn of response – Love Came Down at Christmas

***

Christmas Eve – The Word Incarnate – John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.

One: Every year we light our candles.
Many: We watch the flames flicker with wonder.
One: God’s light is here.
Many: This light is life for all people.
One: The darkness will never overcome it.
(Light the Christ candle.)
All: The Word is with us. Thanks be to God.

Published by Martha Spong

Writer. Clergy Coach. United Church of Christ pastor. Executive Director @RevGalBlogPals. Coauthor of "Denial is My Spiritual Practice (and Other Failures of Faith)" (Church Publishing, 2018); editor of "There's a Woman in the Pulpit" (SkyLight Paths, 2015).

102 thoughts on “Advent Wreath Liturgies for Narrative Lectionary Year 2”

  9. Hi Martha, thank God you are so inspired, may you be blessed. We will be using the liturgy at Atonement Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Beloit, WIsconsin.

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  10. Pingback: Advent and Christmas Candle Liturgies | The Rev. Elsa Anders Peters

  13. Thank you for sharing the gift of your words for worship liturgy this Advent. I will be adapting some of this for my congregation Van Wyck Presbyterian Church (Van WYck, SC). Blessings to you this Advent Season!

    Liked by 1 person

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  15. These are so filled with God’s Advent messages. Thank you for posting to share. I serve Faith, Moe and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Clayton, WI. A great small church service option.

    Liked by 1 person

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  19. Blessings upon blessings! Thank you. This will be shared with the good folk of King City United Church, King City, Ontario, Canada

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  22. Pingback: Advent Wreath Liturgies for 2014 (NL Year 1 and RCL Year B) | Martha Spong

  36. Members, both young and old will participate in the lighting of the Advent wreath and we will use your readings. At the time of the lighting a bell ringer will also participate with ringing of a bell. Thank you for your creation of this material. Myrtle Creek United Methodist Church.

    Liked by 1 person

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  53. Thank you from The Bellarine Gateway Anglican Parish of Leopold, Newcomb and Whittington outside of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. I shall have to rework some of the Winter references to reflect the approaching Summer soltice, but thank you for the lovely liturgies.

    Liked by 1 person

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  57. Thank you for a beautiful liturgy and song rooted in scripture. We are using them at the First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo, Waterloo, NY. We chose to sing the song to the tune of SICILIAN MARINERS.

    Liked by 1 person

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  69. Martha. Thank you for creativity and your generosity in sharing this. I stumbled on it this morning with great delight, as I’m prepping for Advent. I’ll be using this and the hymn at St. Paul’s United Church Scarborough. Blessings.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  72. Found and preparing to hand out and use in Bearbrook, Navan and Blackburn Anglican Churches, Ottawa East, Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, Anglican Church of Canada. Beautifully simple, meaningful, and communal. Thank you.

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  76. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts!
    Pastor Joanna Miller
    Zion Lutheran Church, Philipsburg & St. James Lutheran Church, Baden
    Eastern Synod of the ELCIC

    Liked by 1 person

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  81. I sent you an email about permission , but obviously didn’t read all of the article except the liturgy. So thank you. We will use it at our church this year. Diane Tauscher – Emanuel Lutheran Church in Blackfoot, Idaho

    Liked by 1 person

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  86. Just stumbled on this Advent Candle Liturgy….and yes, it is 2018 … but we are in the Year of C in the Lectionary! I am hopeful that we will use this liturgy in the church I am serving an appointment at – it is in the United Church of Canada in Oshawa Ontario.

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