Today marks the first day in a new year in the church calendar. The four Sundays before Christmas encapsulate the season of Advent. During Advent Christians once again prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. Today we shall celebrate the sacrament of holy communion. As we begin the ecclesiastical new year, let us prepare our hearts and minds to receive him who comes into the world as the light of the world. Let us worship the God who sent Jesus Christ to transform the world and everyone in it.
Pastoral Prayer
Loving God, it is Thou alone who hast created the world, and it Thou alone whose will is for the salvation of everyone in the world. We thank Thee for sending Jesus Christ into human history, and for all the ways his life, ministry, death, and resurrection have positively influenced the lives of countless millions of people since he walked the earth. Grant in this new season of Advent that we, who know Thee because we know Jesus, may be renewed in spirit and in commitment to Thee and to Thy kingdom.
We further ask that on this particular Sunday Thou wouldst bless this congregation as we gather around the Lord’s table for the sacrament of the eucharist. Help us to perceive once again that this sacrament is an illustration that we are welcomed into Thy household. In receiving this bread and cup, may we feel ourselves to be cleansed of our sins, reborn spiritually, and renewed for the Advent journey which shall lead us together to Bethlehem. These things we ask in Jesus’ name, now praying as he instructed his original disciples, saying, Our Father….