Advent 3 Year 2

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): N/A
Readings: Rebuilding the Temple – Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-4, 10-13 (Luke 2:25-32)
Prayer of the Day (Working Preacher): God of restoration, you brought your people home from exile and in their joy they rebuilt your temple. Deliver us from our personal and communal exiles, and help us to build up your church. Amen.
Other Resources: WorkingPreacher, re:Worship, RevGalBlogPals

Need an Advent Wreath Lighting litany? I have one available here.

Suggested hymns based on the texts:

ELW #641. All Are Welcome
ELW #883. All People That on Earth Do Dwell
ELW #275. Angels, from the Realms of Glory*
ELW #242. Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn*
ELW #452. Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death
ELW #303. Brightest and Best of the Stars
ELW #645. Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
ELW #245. Creator of the Stars of Night*
ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus*
ELW #300. The First Noel*
ELW #268. From Heaven Above*
ELW #848. Give to Our God Immortal Praise!
ELW #536. God Be with You Till We Meet Again
ELW #705. God of Grace and God of Glory
ELW #288. Good Christian Friends, Rejoice*
ELW #270. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing*
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #297. Jesus, What a Wonderful Child*
ELW #490. Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
ELW #272. Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming*
ELW #545. Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing
ELW #313. O Lord, Now Let Your Servant
ELW #631. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
ELW #295. Of the Father’s Love Begotten*
ELW #640. Our Father, by Whose Name
ELW #858/9. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
ELW #430. Rejoice, for Christ is King!
ELW #263. Savior of the Nations, Come*
ELW #281. Silent Night, Holy Night!*
ELW #587/8. There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
ELW #284. ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime*
ELW #680/1. We Plow the Fields and Scatter (Aramos nuestros campos)
ELW #296. What Child Is This*
ELW #792. When Memory Fades
ELW #785. When Peace like a River (It Is Well with My Soul)
LBW #521. Let Us with a Gladsome Mind
WOV #638. Holy Child Within the Manger (Carol at the Manger)
WOV #639. Oh, Sleep Now, Holy Baby
WOV #634. Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly*
Various Hymnals Faithful Vigil Ended (1969) by Timothy Dudley-Smith
Various Hymnals Now Let Your Servant Go (1992) by Ruth Duck
Various Hymnals Song of Simeon (1976) by Dewey Westra
Various Hymnals We Are a People (2011) by Jonathan Nowell
Various Hymnals You’re Calling Us (2008) by Graham Kendrick
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship; LBW=Lutheran Book of Worship; WOV=With One Voice)
*Advent/Christmas Hymns

Other (mostly contemporary) options:

Prayers of Intercession:

(Introduction and Conclusion from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002)

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable, and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

A brief silence.

For the church and its leaders; that this season of waiting and preparation also be one of powerful witness to the grace and mercy of God at work in the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all of creation, especially the soil and water; that we, as stewards, may be good stewards for all that God has made. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For the nations of the world; that God’s peace and justice may have primacy over human selfishness and greed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all those living in darkness of any sort; that the light of Christ may offer them hope. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For all who are suffering, especially…; that the healing power of God flow in and through them. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

For this assembly gathered in worship; that we may depart from this place as agents of God’s grace and love for the sake of our neighbors. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

For all the saints who have gone before us; that we we may, one day, join them in praising God’s wondrous love for all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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