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Leader’s Order of Service: A Service of Advent Lessons and Carols

The space is set up with the piano, lectern and chairs for musicians under the screen.

The choir (16 people) is seated in two rows on the north side. The rest of the chairs form an oval in 2-3 concentric circles.

An Advent wreath is set on a circular table in the centre with four candles and one in the centre.

the screen is in the northeast corner, with the font and paschal candle nearby (the paschal candle is already lit as people enter;

inclusive language readings to be prepared for all readerspaperless liturgyMatt to light the candles. Morgan to operate the PPT.

Welcome & Announcementsat the close of which, all are invited into a time of silent preparation, at which point the choir immediately stands, remaining silent, in position for the first anthem

Choral Prelude: Advent Prose with Jazz Interludes

Responsive Territorial AcknowledgementRhiannon to begin: I invite you all to join me inclosing our eyes to pray for this land.Feel your body sink into your chair,Feel the support of the floor, of the building’s walls, feel it right down into the foundations.Now feel the earth that holds this building and us inside it. Feel that it holds this whole city. All is held by this earth, this land.

This is sacred land, and it has been the site of human activity for over 15 000 years. Creator God we pray for this land, that it be continually filled with your divine Spirit of healing and redeeming love. We pray for the original peoples of this land…

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Morgan: The people of the Huron-Wendat (pause)Becca: The people of the Petun (pause)Matt: The people of the Seneca (pause)Becca: The people of the Missisaugas of the Credit River (pause)Rhiannon: The many indigenous people who still meet and live across Turtle Island. As followers of Christ we have also been charged with a responsibility to care for your Creation. We are mindful of our failures to do this, and our failures to live peaceably with those who first welcomed us to share this land in friendship.Show us the way to reconciliation. Help us to make right with all of our relations. AMEN.

Centre candle is lit

Silence…

Hymn: Veni Emmanuel—O Come! O Come, Emmanuel

Re-translated from the 9th century O Antiphons by William Whitla, 2007Please remain seated.Organ: Peter

1 O come, O Wisdom! Come, Sophia bright!And order all creation with your light;O come, the road to wisdom show,The paths of glory help us know. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel is born for us, and comes to dwell.

2 O come! O Branch of Jesse’s Tree!Your hand protect from enemy;Your eye is o’er us and will saveFrom dread despair and death’s dark cave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel is born for us, and comes to dwell.

3 O come! O come, O rising star!O Sun of Justice! Come from far,Dispel the lingering clouds of nightAnd scatter every deathly fright.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel is born for us, and comes to dwell.

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An Advent Prayer (adapted from VU 13) Rhiannon to lead

O God, our deliverer: You cast down the mighty, and lift up those marginalized and forgotten, like Elizabeth and Mary, who embraced one another with songs of liberation,may we, pregnant with your Spirit, affirm one another in hope for the world, that comes in the name of Jesus. AMEN.

brief pause, before the choir sings

Choral Anthem: Lo How a Rose E’er Blooming

Prophecy

First candle is lit

First Lesson: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (Nicole Jarrett)

A reading from the prophet Jeremiah…

“‘The days are coming,’ declares our God, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. “‘In those days and at that time    I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line    to do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved    and Jerusalem will live in safety.This is the name by which it will be called:    Our Righteous Savior.’

Silence…

Hymn: 1“How the Worlds Longs for Your Birth”

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words: Anna Briggs, tune: Nun Komm, der Heiden Heilanddrums and voice, Becca, Bill and MattPlease stand as able.

How the world longs for your birth, bearing news of human worth;to our labour bring your mirth, Maranatha, come, Lord, come.

How we ache to know your peace; wars and weapons still increase;bid our fears and hate to cease: Maranatha, come, Lord, come.

How our minds for healing long, broken bodies to be strong,wounded hearts to learn your song: Maranatha, come, Lord, come.

God, who sets your people free, God, who comes, our flesh to be,now we wait, your reign to see: Maranatha, come, Lord, come.

Second Lesson “The Not Yet Born” (Flo McGregor)Edwina Gateley from Psalms of a Laywoman

A poem by Edwina Gately, the Not Yet Born…

Volcano – Volcano.Bubbling rich red.Steaming.Spirit – CreationBursting. BurstingFor release and life.

And I mustCarry youHot and achingWithin meUntil your timeIs come.

Mysterious,

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Lonely gestation,Formed in darkness.Fed and nurturedBy a life and spiritBreathing gently, powerfully,In my soul.Hush. Silence.

The time isNot yet.Now is onlySlow murmuringsAnd gentle stirrings.Oh! Not yet born!But how you live!

I love you, Volcano.I love yourSweeping painAnd thrusting, tentativeMovement.

I love you, Volcano,As you sleep and waitWithin meFor your life.And for your death.

Silence…

Choral Anthem: Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

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Third Lesson: Isaiah 7:13-15 (Chris Slusar)

A reading from the prophet Isaiah…

Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also?Therefore God will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will be eating curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right.

Silence…

Please stand as able. Led by Becca, Bill (and Swee Hong)

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Exchange of the PeaceKnowing that God is with us, let us share the sign of God’s peace

The peace of Christ be with you allAnd also with you.

Wilderness

Second candle is lit

Fourth Lesson: Luke 3: 2-3, 7-11 (Caro Ibrahim)

A reading from the Gospel of Luke…

The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins…

John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. And the crowds asked him, “What them should we do?”In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.”

Silence…

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Hymn:

Tomand Becca

Please remain seated.

Fifth Lesson

Psalm for Advent by Ian Sowton, 1990 (Gina Bae)

A poem by Ian Sowton, Psalm for Advent…

The winter of Toronto town is come,it settles in my very marrow;I shiver on Queen and Jarvis corner,I make my bed upon warm air-vents.

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It is not easy to give thanks for charity,the bread of poverty is very bitter.An orchestra plays carols in the mall,but I am not allowed to loiter.

O God, I ache in your chilly absence,please, please shine your countenance upon me;sound you saving horn of plenty in my ear,warm me with some hope so I can praise you.

Silence…

1Hymn: Tomorrow Christ is Coming, verses one and two (seated)Organ, Peter Words: Fred Kaan Tune: Passion Chorale

1. Tomorrow Christ is coming, as yesterday he came;a child is born this moment, we do not know its name.The world is full of darkness, again there is no room;the symbols of existence are stable, cross, and tomb.

2. So soon it will be Christmas, the feast of love divine,but for the nameless millions the star will never shine.Still is the census taken with people on the move;new infants born in stables are crying out for love.

Sixth Lesson; Luke 21:25-28, 32-36 (Phyllis Airhart)

A reading from the Gospel of Luke

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Chosen One coming in a cloud with power and great glory.When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”“Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away

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until all these things have happened.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Chosen One.”

Silence… 1Hymn: Tomorrow Christ is Coming, verses three and four (seated)

Words: Fred Kaan Tune: Passion ChoraleOrgan, Peter

3. There will be no tomorrow for many_a baby born;Good Friday falls on Christmas when life is sown as corn.But Jesus Christ is risen and comes again in breadto still our deepest hunger and raise us from the dead.

4. Our God becomes incarnate in every human birth.Created in God’s image, we must make peace on earth.God will fulfil Love’s purpose and this shall be the sign:we shall find Christ among us as woman, child, or man.

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Prayers of the PeopleAn Advent Bidding Prayer

Response “Watch and Pray” VU 33 Swee Hong

(Rhiannon) - God of Promise, for whom we wait and watch and work, as the nights grow longer, help us to wait—expectantly, longingly, anxiously, and thoughtfully—remembering always that it was in the darkness of Mary’s wombthat your Chosen One was conceived, and made ready for your work in this world . . . . R

(Morgan) - We remember nations and peoples at war,countries torn apart by strife and conflict,refugees fleeing violence and extreme poverty,cities and villages affected by natural disaster;God of justice, we pray for the needs of the whole world . . . . R

(Saya) - We remember God’s good earth,waiting for deliverance from neglect and abuse,destruction and misuse;God of life, we pray for all creation . . . . R

(Matt) And we remember,all who are poor …all who are hungry . . .all who are cold …all who are lonely . . .all who are sick and all who mourn . . .God of all, we remember Jesus’ call to be servant and friend to all. Be with us as we live out your mission on earth . . . R.

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Longing/Waiting/Expecting

Third candle is lit

Seventh Lesson: Those Who Saw the Star, Part One Julia Esquivel(Michael Bourgeois)

A poem by Guatemalan Poet, Julia Esquivel…Those Who Saw the Star

The Word, for our sake, became poverty clothed as the poor who live off the refuse heap. The Word, for our sake, became agony in the shrunken breast of the woman grown old by the absence of her murdered husband The Word, for our sake, became a sob a thousand times stifled in the immovable mouth of the child who died from hunger. The Word, for our sake, became rebellion before the lifeless body of Gaspar Sanchez Toma, “scientifically” murdered. The  Word,  for  our  sake,  became  danger  in  the  anguish  of  the mother who worries about her son growing into manhood. The  Word  became  an  ever-present  absence  among  the  70,000 families torn apart by death. The Word, for our sake, became an inexorable accusation arising from the blazing craters which swallowed up their tortured bodies. The word-knifecut us deeply in that place of shame: the painful reality of the poor. The Word blew its spirit over the dried bones of the Mummified-Churches, guardians of silence. The Word,  that early-morning-bugle, awoke us from the lethargy which had robbed us of our Hope. The Word became a path in the jungle, a decision on the farm, love in women, unity among workers, and a Star for those few who can inspire dreams. Silence…

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Hymn: VU 34 Come Now, O God of Peace (O-So-So) Swee HongPlease remain seated.

Eighth Lesson: Those Who Saw the Star, Part Two Julia Esquivel(Carmen Llanos Acero)

Those Who Saw the Star, the second part…

The Word became Light, The Word became History. The Word became Conflict, The Word became Indomitable Spirit, and sowed its seeds upon the mountain, near the river, and in the valley, and those-of-good-will, heard the angels sing. 

Tired knees were strengthened, trembling hands were stilled, and the people who wandered in darkness saw the light! 

Then, the Word became flesh in a nation-pregnant-with-freedom, The Spirit strengthened the arms which forged Hope,The Verb became flesh in the people who perceived a new day, and for our sake became life in Mary and Joseph who embrace Righteousness and bury the people’s ignominy. 

The Word became the seed-of-justice and we conceived peace. The Word cried out to the world the truth about the struggle against the anti-man. The Word made justice to rain And peace came forth from the furrows in the land. And we saw its glory in the eyes of the poor converted  into  true men and women. Grace and Truth celebrated together in the laughter of the children rescued by life. And those-who-saw-the-star, opened up for us, the path we now follow. Silence…

Choral Anthem: Sanna, Sannanina

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Ninth Reading

Luke 1: 46b-55 (Shawn Houston)

A reading from the Gospel of Luke…

And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims your greatness, O Godand my spirit rejoices in you my Saviour.for you have looked with favour upon your lowly servant.And from this day forward, all generations will call me blessed,for the Mighty One have done great things for me—    holy is your name.Your mercy extends to those who fear you,    from generation to generation.You have shown great strength with your arm;    you have scattered the proud in their conceit.You have brought down rulers from their thrones    and have lifted up the humble.You have filled the hungry with good things    and have sent the rich away empty.You have come to the aid of Israel, your servant,    remembering to be merciful to Sarah and Abraham and their descendants forever,    just as you promised our ancestors.”

Silence…

Hymn: VU 17 “O Ancient Love” Swee Hong

Please stand as able.

Fourth candle is lit

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Closing Prayer: “The Risk of Birth” Rhiannon

An Advent Poem by Madeleine L'Engle (1973)

This is no time for a child to be born,With the earth betrayed by war & hateAnd a comet slashing the sky to warnThat time runs out & the sun burns late.

That was no time for a child to be born,In a land in the crushing grip of Rome;Honour & truth were trampled by scorn-Yet here did the Saviour make his home.

When is the time for love to be born?The inn is full on the planet earth,And by a comet the sky is torn-Yet Love still takes the risk of birth.

God strengthen us to risk love, as Jesus did. As we begin this season of Advent,Let us be awake with hope,Waiting for the coming of Jesus. AMEN. Choral Postlude: People Look East