Order of Prayer Freshman Experience: Lighting the World with Hope December 8, 2011 Board Room in darkness as much as possible with an Advent Wreath. Power point on screen. Opening Prayer: Loving God, your promise of salvation fills us with joy and hope. On this feast of the Immaculate Conception we remember that Mary had great faith and she trusted in you with her whole heart. We are gathered here today confident that you hear the prayers of your people. We ask for your guidance as we try to make your justice evident in the world. We ask for your guidance As we wait in darkness to see your light. As we light this Advent Wreath, may it remind us of the need to prepare, watch, wait, and listen for you, the light of the world. Help us to trust completely in you as Mary did. We make this prayer in the power of the Spirit, who lives with you and your Son, now and forever. Amen.
Reading A Reading from the Gospel of Luke (1:39-56) During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled." And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home. The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rrjuu4xtm4&feature=related Intercessions and Candle Lighting Response: To light the world with hope. 1. You come to us as a people in darkness. May we see your great light and share it with those who seek truth, and we promise: to light the world with hope. 2. You come to us in flesh and blood. May we strive to make our bodies temples of your spirit, and we promise: to light the world with hope. 3. You come into the world to bring justice and peace. May we work tirelessly to bring this justice and peace to all the situations we encounter. And 4. You come to us in the face of a stranger. May we always have the eyes to see you in an unknown face. And we promise: to light the world with hope. 5. You come to us in the midst of confusion and pain. May we reach out gently in situations beyond our understanding. And we promise: to light the world with hope. 6. You come in the brokenness of humanity. May we always choose to offer comfort rather than condemn. And we promise: to light the world with hope. 7. You come to bring us hope and courage. May we be people of hope and courage in our world today. And we promise: to light the world with hope.
8. You come to us in times of joy and celebration. May we always be grateful for the blessings in our lives. And we promise: to light the world with hope. 9. You come as one who is with us, Emmanuel. May we be with and for one another in a spirit of solidarity with all your people. And 10. You come to us as eternal light. May your endless light shine upon all of our loved ones who have died. In their loving memory we promise: to light the world with hope. Let us pray: O God, your will is that all people will know justice and peace. Guide us in your ways of compassion and mercy so that we may extend your love to all people. Open our hearts to the gentleness of your spirit, that we may prepare the way for the Lord. We await your coming with joyful hearts. Amen. Sending Song: O Come, O Come Emmanuel O Come, O Come Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
1. You come to us as a people in darkness. May we see your great light and share it with those who seek truth, and 2. You come to us in flesh and blood. May we strive to make our bodies temples of your spirit, and we promise: to light the world with hope. 3. You come into the world to bring justice and peace. May we work tirelessly to bring this justice and peace to all the situations we encounter. And we promise: to light the world with hope. 4. You come to us in the face of a stranger. May we always have the eyes to see you in an unknown face. And 5. You come to us in the midst of confusion and pain. May we reach out gently in situations beyond our understanding. And we promise: to light the world with hope.
6. You come in the brokenness of humanity. May we always choose to offer comfort rather than condemn. And 7. You come to bring us hope and courage. May we be people of hope and courage in our world today. And we promise: to light the world with hope. 8. You come to us in times of joy and celebration. May we always be grateful for the blessings in our lives. And 9. You come as one who is with us, Emmanuel. May we be with and for one another in a spirit of solidarity with all your people. And we promise: to light the world with hope. 10. You come to us as eternal light. May your endless light shine upon all of our loved ones who have died. In their loving memory we promise: to light the world with hope.