Home Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church

An Order of Worship for Advent
You are welcome to use the following worship service. Please feel free to use all or part of the following. You may substitute other appropriate songs for those suggested below.

If you do use this I just ask that you acknowledge the source as follows:
An Order of Worship for Advent, conceived and written by Lisa Frenz 2002. All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.

P = Presiding Minister
A = Assisting Minister
C = Congregation

PDF Files:
Order of Worship
Music: Searching Seeking
Music: God is with Us
Music: As I Hear Your Word

Below are some worship resources which you are welcome to use at no charge. Please just use a copyright acknowledgment "Copyright Lisa Frenz. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission."

Most of these worship resources were written for Mt. Carmel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon combining elements of traditional Lutheran liturgy with new wording, rituals, etc. to meet the needs of a modern worshipping congregation.

An Order of Worship for Advent
Lisa Frenz © 2002

Stand: = Please stand as you are able. Sit: = Please sit

Prelude

Stand
Welcome & Call to Worship:
(Starting from the back of the nave, the acolyte carries the Processional Cross, followed by the pastor and the assistant. All move slowly down the aisle as the litany is spoken.)

P: (spoken) Welcome all who come, all who seek the Lord.
C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.
A: (spoken) Welcome whoever you are, for God loves you.
C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.
P: So come seek the truth.
C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.
A: (spoken) Come hear the promise.
C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.
P: (spoken) Come share the joy.
C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.
A: (spoken) Be filled with God's Spirit.
C: (sung) God is here with us, Emmanuel.

Confession of Sins
C: I believe that I cannot come to my Lord Jesus Christ by my own intelligence or power. But the Holy Spirit called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as He calls, gathers together, enlightens and makes holy the whole Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus in the one, true faith. In this Church, He generously forgives each day every sin committed by me and by every believer. On the last day, He will raise me and all the dead from the grave. He will give eternal life to me and to all who believe in Christ. Yes, this is [most certainly] true! (The Small Catechism[1] of Martin Luther, Translation by Robert E. Smith, May 22, 1994, Version 1.1 -- December 22, 1994, Updated for Contemporary Readers, Frank West, July 22, 2001)

P: God indeed forgives, renews and restores each of us, forgiving our shortcomings, our omissions, our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, I declare to you the forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

Greeting of Peace
A: As we have been forgiven, let us forgive one another and share the peace of Christ. Peace be with you.
C: And also with you.
(all share a word of peace)

Gathering Song
Prayer of the Day

Sit
Special Music

Scripture Lesson
Psalm
Scripture Lesson

Stand
Gospel Song (LAF)

As I hear your word, O God, let me be filled.
As I hear your word, O God, let me be inspired.
As I hear your word, O God, fill me with courage.
As I hear your word, O God,
let me share your love with my neighbors.

Gospel Lesson

Sit
Music for Meditation
Message

Stand
Theme Song

Creed
By the grace granted to me by God, I believe.
I believe in God, the Creator, who made me and all creation, who calls me into relationship and makes me a child of freedom.
I believe in God, Christ Jesus, who has saved me and all creation, who by his death and resurrection has rescued me from the punishment of sin and restores me to the freedom given me at the beginning of creation.
I believe in God, the Holy Spirit, who breathes life into me and all creation, who fills me with grace, leads me into wisdom, and gives me strength for the work of my life.
I believe in one God, who is Creator, Savior and Spirit, the center of my life now and for all eternity.

A: We believe, so we respond:

Commitment Song (LAF):

Searching, seeking, restlessly looking,
These are the people God wants:
Searching for truth,
Seeking new life,
Looking for a savior.

Refrain:
So, Lord fill me with joy;
Fill me with fire.
Let me live in your hope;
Sharing my faith,
Sharing my life,
Talking about my Savior.
Telling the truth of your love.

Searching, seeking, restlessly looking,
These are the people I know:
Living next door,
Working with me,
Looking for a savior. Refrain

Searching, seeking, restlessly looking,
These are the people I meet:
Riding my bus,
Sitting beside me,
Looking for a savior. Refrain

Sit
Offering

Stand
Offering Prayer
A: Let us pray,
C: God of all, thank you for the life you give me, the goods which you supplied to me, the power to make a difference in this world. Be with me in my daily tasks, my daily joys, my daily sorrows, so that every day, every minute belongs to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Prayers of the Church
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord's Prayer (traditional)

Sit
Distribution of Communion

Stand
Dismissal
Post Communion Song

Blessing
P: May the God of love and grace keep you safe.
May the God of comfort and healing hold you close.
May the God of peace and joy sing in your heart.
C: Amen.

Sit
Community Announcements

Stand
Sending Song

A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Postlude