Many of youhave had some experience with Gathering for Worship: Prayers for the Communityby the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Like ourselves, this denomination existsin the midst of a largely secular culture which when it does frame theChristian tradition or narrative of any kind has a majority of churchesfollowing a liturgical way of doing things. This particular book allows FreeChurch Baptists to be themselves while acknowledging the Christian languagethat many around them use.

I want to introduce 2 things fromthat book this week; the first is a general description of what it is to followworship through the “church year” and the second is the words used in the firstSunday of advent. I want to point out that advent and the preparation forChrist’s birth is the beginning of the Christian story. Which means, by the way,that last week was New Year’s… so Happy New Year.

Warmly,

In Christ,

Jeremy Bell

Worshipthrough the Year

God’s wordshould shape our worship and, whether or not a lectionary of readings isfollowed, there are certain times in the year when it is important to lead acongregation in worship relevant to the season. In this way we can journeythrough the story of salvation and God’s redeeming way with humanity: from theadvent hope, through God’s coming to us in Jesus, with his birth and ministry,cross and resurrection, to the coming of the Holy Spirit and new life inChrist. Here we can be exposed to the full counsels of God, as God’s storyshapes our story.

Whatfollows attempts to show both the variety of subject matter and the way inwhich themes may be explored. If the cycle of the year is not followed, thenthemes may still be used on appropriate occasions.

Eachsection includes brief suggestions on how the main theme might be developedthrough various kinds of prayers. The scripture references are offered as callsto worship of varying length, but they may be expanded to provide suitablereadings, and in some cases are expanded here. Further readings may be found ina lectionary such as The Revised Common Lectionary which offers a three-yeartable of readings and has gained wide acceptance across Christiandenominations.

The prayersthemselves are not comprehensive but, as well as providing material for use inworship, they offer examples and starting points for exploration by thoseleading worship. The sections follow the classic pattern of the Christian year,but have been given thematic titles.

Advent 1: TheGod who Comes

God comes to us in redemptionand judgement. Themes ofhope, yearning, preparation and confession.

Psalms 24.7–8; 96.11–13;Isaiah 40.3–5; 52 1–10; Luke 12.35–37a, 40; Romans 13.11–12, 14a.

Praise andGreeting

Advent God, we worship you: the God whocomes.

You are not remote from the world youhave made,

but each day you come to us,

blessing us with your presence.

You came in creation itself,

as your Spirit moved over the waters ofchaos.

You came in Jesus Christ,

made flesh in our world of weakness andneed.

You came in power to raise him fromdeath,

a mighty promise for all creation.

Each day you come, by your Spirit,

gently and powerfully working

in the lives of men and women.

At the end of time you will come,

in power and righteousness,

in mercy and redeeming love.

Grant us the grace to welcome yourcoming.

Inflame our love to yearn for yourpresence.

Enlarge our vision to recognize yourcoming day by day.

We greet you, Advent God.

Adoration

Lord God,

we adore you

because you have come to us in the past:

you have spoken to us in the law ofIsrael

you have challenged us in the words ofthe prophets,

you have shown us in Jesus what you arereally like.

Lord God,

we adore you

because you still come to us now:

you come to us through other people

in their love and concern for us,

you come to us through those who needour help,

you come to us now, even as we worship you.

Lord God,

we adore you

because you will come to us at the end:

you will be with us at the hour ofdeath,

you will reign supreme when allinstitutions fall,

you will still be our God when ourhistory has run its course.

We welcome you, the God who comes.

Come to us now in the power of JesusChrist our Lord.

Prayer ofLonging

Lord Jesus Christ

your world awaits you.

In the longing of the persecuted forjustice;

in the longing of the poor forprosperity;

in the longing of the privileged

for riches greater than wealth;

in the longing of our hearts for abetter life;

and in the song of your Church,

expectation is ever present.

O come, Lord, desire behind our greatestneeds.

O come, Lord, Liberator of humanity.

O come, Lord, O come, Immanuel.

Collect (Prayer)

O Lord our God,

make us watchful and keep us faithful

as we await the coming of your Son ourLord;

that, when he shall appear,

he may not find us sleeping in sin

but active in his service

and joyful in his praise;

through Jesus Christour Lord.