A Liturgy of the Word to begin Advent Eucharists

I am presenting this as a Liturgy of the Word for Advent. The advent addition is not really exclusive, it could be used at other times. It starts with the celebrant, et all, at the rear of the church and begins without a procession or a hymn but an invitation to worship and confession. It is then that a Hymn of Praise is sung, one viably suitable for Advent thus NOT the Gloria, and then the procession occurs. The hope is to cause a little upset at the beginning to make people aware of what they are doing. Using sources from Enriching our Worship and the BCP this Liturgy of the Word is in compliance with the BCP rubrics. (Note I will be making some Advent Prayers of the People later).

This service starts at the rear without a hymn or procession.

The congregation should be facing the rear of the nave.

If possible the altar party, acolytes, etc. should be gathered around the baptismal font if it is located in the rear of the church.

Celebrant:

Blessed are you, holy and living One

All:

You come to your people and set them free.

Celebrant:

Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel:

The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your

God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your

mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love

your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment

greater than these.”   Mark 12:29‑31

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

silence is kept

All:

God of all mercy,

we confess that we have sinned against you,

opposing your will in our lives.

We have denied your goodness in each other,

in ourselves, and in the world you have created.

We repent of the sin that enslaves us,

            the sins we have done,

and the sins done on our behalf.

Forgive, restore, and strengthen us

through out Savior Jesus Christ,

that we may abide in your love

and serve only your will. Amen

Celebrant:

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen

All:

Arise, O Jerusalem, stand upon the height and look toward the east, and see your children gathered from west and east at the word of the Holy One. Baruch 5:3

A Hymn of Praise appropriate for Advent then follows and the altar party and attendants process to their places.

Celebrant:

God be with you.

All:

And also with you.

Celebrant:

Let us pray.

The collect of the day is read.

All:

Amen

The Lessons

The people sit. One or two Lessons, as appointed, are read

After each Reading.

Reader:

Hear what the spirit is saying to God’s people.

All           

Thanks be to God.

Silence may follow.

A Psalm, hymn, or anthem may follow each Reading.

Then, all standing, the Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying

Deacon:

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

according to__________________.

All:

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

After the Gospel

Deacon:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All:

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon

On Sundays and other Major Feasts there follows, all standing

The Nicene Creed

All:

We believe in one God,

    the Father, the Almighty,

    maker of heaven and earth,

    of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

    the only Son of God,

    eternally begotten of the Father,

    God from God, Light from Light,

    true God from true God,

    begotten, not made,

    of one Being with the Father.

    Through him all things were made.

    For us and for our salvation

        he came down from heaven:

    by the power of the Holy Spirit

         he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,

         and was made man.

 For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

     he suffered death and was buried.

    On the third day he rose again

         in accordance with the Scriptures;

    he ascended into heaven

         and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

    He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

         and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

    who proceeds from the Father and the Son.

    With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.

    He has spoken through the Prophets.

    We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

    We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

    We look for the resurrection of the dead,

         and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

Prayer is offered with intercession for

The Universal Church, its members, and its mission

The Nation and all in authority

The welfare of the world

The concerns of the local community

Those who suffer and those in any trouble

The departed (with commemoration of a saint when appropriate)

The Peace

All stand.

Celebrant:

The peace of Christ be always with you.

All:           

And also with you.

Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the

name of the Lord.