Here’s an advent call to worship from Ann Siddall, and the
Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith Community.
She
writes, “This call to worship requires the communion table to be empty as worship
begins. During the prayer, purple material, a Bible, a candle, and a wrapped gift are laid on the table.”
Call to Worship at the Beginning of Advent
In
the midst of frenzied shopping and end-of-year weariness,
we
spread out a purple cloth,
(a purple cloth is
spread over the communion table)
read
again the ancient stories,
(a Bible is placed on
the table)
and
light a candle in the darkness,
(a candle or an
Advent wreath is placed and lit)
to
celebrate a visitation.
Gathered
here we declare our intention to live
as
if the greatest gift in the world
were
about to be placed into our hands
(a wrapped parcel is
laid on the table),
and
as if the Giver has understood
our
deepest needs, our most heartfelt prayers.
Like
Mary, may we be surprised by our calling;
like
Simeon and Anna, may the years increase our faith;
like
sleepy shift workers on a hillside, may our eyes be opened;
like
Joseph may we listen to our dreams;
for
this season requires our creative imagination.
There
is a Presence in our world that asks to be seen,
who
will stay awake?
There
is a coming to our world that seeks a welcome,
who
will offer hospitality?
Even
now Jesus Christ is moving towards us.
Our
worship this morning will include some quiet spaces,
space
after the Scripture is read,
space
during the offering of our prayers,
and
space before the Benediction.
In
the spaces you are invited to watch and wait, look and listen.
Christ comes.
~ written by Ann Siddall, and posted on the Stillpoint Spirituality Centre and Faith
Community website. http://stillpointsa.org.au/prayer/prayers-and-liturgies/
