An Advent Prayer of Confession and Healing As we witness to fear, in the news and in our streets, we make space for hope in our lives. With broken hearts, faltering steps, and a desire for healing, we make gestures of peace with each other. As we greet strangers, neighbours, and friends, we make a place for joy in the chaos of our concerns. Awaiting a future announced and promised by the Living God, we make room for love in our habits, hearts, and homes. Holy One, you make the crooked ways straight and mend the broken soul. On this day, as we offer simple gifts in the face of profound need, remind us how your grace grows in our giving and receiving. Inspire the rebirth of love—in our world and in our lives— as we dedicate ourselves to your justice and mercy. Amen. (Light the Advent candles according to your congregation’s tradition.) Passing the Peace (In some churches, the Peace is shared toward the beginning of worship to include children before they go to Sunday school. Here, it serves to reinforce the practice, just prayed for, of neighbours, and in the presence of the whole community.) greeting “strangers, friends,” The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you. Refrain (VU 62 tune: IRBY) In the dark and cold of winter, light breaks in to calm our fears. With the world we long for the season when the Joy of God draws near. Help us sing the faithful story of the joy that is your glory. Words: Andy O’Neill Time with Children: Everyone Brings a Gift (Often in a regular worship service, the children leave for Sunday school well before the Offering. Moving the Offering forward for White Gift Sunday presents an opportunity for children to experience giving and receiving as an act of worship.) (After sharing the story of the origins of the White Gift tradition, the leader shares a version of the Nativity story, highlighting that everyone who came to the manger brought a gift. Verse 4 of
An Advent Prayer of Confession and Healing As we witness to fear, in the news and in our streets, we make space for hope in our lives. With broken hearts, faltering steps, and a desire for healing, we make gestures of peace with each other. As we greet strangers, neighbours, and friends, we make a place for joy in the chaos of our concerns. Awaiting a future announced and promised by the Living God, we make room for love in our habits, hearts, and homes. Holy One, you make the crooked ways straight and mend the broken soul. On this day, as we offer simple gifts in the face of profound need, remind us how your grace grows in our giving and receiving. Inspire the rebirth of love—in our world and in our lives— as we dedicate ourselves to your justice and mercy. Amen. (Light the Advent candles according to your congregation’s tradition.) Passing the Peace (In some churches, the Peace is shared toward the beginning of worship to include children before they go to Sunday school. Here, it serves to reinforce the practice, just prayed for, of greeting “strangers, neighbours, and friends,” in the presence of the whole community.) The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you. Refrain (VU 62 tune: IRBY) In the dark and cold of winter, light breaks in to calm our fears. With the world we long for the season when the Joy of God draws near. Help us sing the faithful story of the joy that is your glory. Words: Andy O’Neill Time with Children: Everyone Brings a Gift (Often in a regular worship service, the children leave for Sunday school well before the Offering. Moving the Offering forward for White Gift Sunday presents an opportunity for children to experience giving and receiving as an act of worship.) (After sharing the story of the origins of the White Gift tradition, the leader shares a version of the Nativity story, highlighting that everyone who came to the manger brought a gift. Verse 4 of
hidden-in-plain-sight_white-gift.docx