Lectionary resources: Advent 4 Year B

Advent 4 Year B

Lectionary
2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 The promise to David
Luke 1:47-55 The song of Mary
or Psalm 89:1-4,19-26 my God and the Rock of my salvation
Romans 16:25-27 to the only wise God ... glory for ever!
Luke 1:26-38 The announcement to Mary

Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia.)
SA 28 Do not be afraid, I am with you
SA 61 Long ago, prophets knew
SA 86 The voice of God goes out to all the world
84 Glory be to God the Father
109 Tell out my soul
148 Love divine, all loves excelling
170 At the name of Jesus
193 O come, O come, Emannuel
200 Come thou long expected Jesus
203 Hail to the Lord's annointed
207 There's a light upon the mountains
224 Joy to the world! The Lord is come
227 Hark! the herald angels sing
229 Let earth and heaven combine
235 Angels from the realms of glory
237 Once in royal David's city
246 The north wind

choir: A star was his candle (anthem)
Born in the night
Celebrate

Sermon summary (click here for complete sermon)

Mary's co-operation with God

Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Luke 1:38

Mary committed herself willingly to co-operate with God's plan. That is an important message for us. She was not overwhelmed and made to do what God wanted; but rather she chose to co-operate. She was a willing servant -- Here am I, the servant of the Lord. God allowed her freedom and she consented positively -- let it be with me according to your word.

Mary's readiness to co-operate willingly within the freedom God allows can be an inspiration for us. She was there at the end when it seemed hopeless. Today, especially, God needs servants who can be relied upon to be there when it counts in loyalty to Christ, and that includes loyalty to his body, the church.

Order of Service - Advent 4 Year B

The Gathering of the People of God

CALL TO WORSHIP

Let us serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.

Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
let us exult his name together.

HYMN 246 The north wind
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE: Fourth Sunday
[A family group or individual comes to the table and one reads:]

On this fourth Sunday in Advent we remember Mary, the bearer of the light of the world.
[Four coloured candles are lit, and reading continues.]

Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."     -- Luke 1:38
Elizabeth exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit
of your womb."      -- Luke 1:42
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour."     --   Luke 1:46-47

THE JESSE TREE**[See below at end]

PRAYER OF ADORATION

O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!
Lord Jesus, preaching good tidings to the people, proclaiming release to captives, setting at liberty those who are bound:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, friend of the outcast and the poor, feeder of the hungry, healer of the sick:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, denouncing the oppressor, exposing the hypocrite, overcoming evil with good:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, pattern of gentleness, teacher of holiness, prophet of the kingdom:
We adore you.

Lord Jesus, dying to save us from our sin, rising to give us eternal life, ascending to prepare our heavenly home:
We adore you. [From Uniting in Worship]

CONFESSION [Three parts concluding:-]

Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS

.... Your sins are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.

HYMN 109 Tell out my soul

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

Service of the Word

INTRODUCTION OF THEME: Mary's co-operation with God
OLD TESTAMENT 2 Samuel 7:1-11,16 The promise to David

HYMN SA 61 Long ago, prophets knew

GOSPEL Luke 1:26-38 The announcement to Mary
THE MAGNIFICAT (The song of Mary Luke 1:46-55)

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;

he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

Choir: A Star was his candle

SERMON

HYMN 235 Angels from the realms of glory

OFFERING AND DEDICATION

SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations:Requests for intercessions]
Choir: "Celebrate"

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
COLLECT FOR THE DAY
THE LORD'S PRAYER [Front of the Hymn Book]

The Sending Forth of the People of God

HYMN 227 Hark! the herald angels sing
WORD OF MISSION
BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

* THE JESSE TREE
A bare branched small tree stands in the sanctuary. It bears decorations prepared by the children including leaves with names of members of congregation. Gifts for people in need are placed at the foot of the tree to be distributed before Christmas. The name "Jessie Tree" is a reminder of the father of King David from whom it was promised a new descendant would arise as the Messiah, (Isaiah 11:1-2) A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. {2} The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit
of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
_______________________

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