Liturgy for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

Theme and Scripture 

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19: God is a God of restoration and forgiveness. 

 

Call to Worship 

Leader: O God, our God, so much about our lives needs to be restored. Sometimes the darkness feels overwhelming. 

People: Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. 

Leader: We come together today in worship, to sing our praise, to open our hearts. 

People: Restore us, O God; hear our praise, renew our hearts. 

Leader: We bring our offerings, we sing of the coming of the Lord. 

People: Restore us, O God; inhabit our worship and give us life. 

All: Restore us, O God. 

 

Prayer of Confession 

Heavenly creator, sustaining Lord, we fail to see the need of our neighbors or to hear their crying, to know their tears. Sometimes all they feel from us is our scorn or our indifference. We welcome Jesus into this sanctuary, and hope he will inhabit our lives. Help us to confess our sins. Forgive our indifference and our complacency. May your presence in our lives change our hearts. Give us life.  In your son's name, Amen. 

 

Offertory Prayer 

Loving God, may these gifts we offer today be gifts of restoration, shining your light into dark places. Accept these gifts and make them be for your children food, water, shelter, health, and signs of your love of them. Amen.