He's Coming; Jesus Is Coming! A 21st Century Africana Worship Resource for Advent 2, Year A

Call to Worship
All: He's coming; Jesus is coming!
I will kick the dirt off my shoes
Then I will sweep the dust from my porch
It's time to get my life fresh and clean.
All: He's coming; Jesus is coming!

Confession
We confess, Lord, that sometimes we approach your throne believing it's our birthright to be called beloved by you. We say our parents built this church, forgetting that the church belongs to you. We parade status, attempting to prove we deserve your love, forgetting that Jesus embraced the outcasts. Sometimes we are clothed like the Pharisees, forgetting that we cannot be baptized without changing our lives. Forgive us, dear Jesus. Clothe us, instead, like John so that we may also prepare the way for you to come. Amen.

Words of Assurance
The Word of God is ancient, written long before any of us breathed. Written before my father's breath, and his mother's breath, and her father's breath, and his mother's breath. And even still, the Holy Spirit breathes life into it for us today. The ancient words tell us that God in Christ has forgiven us. Praise God! (Roman 15:4, Ephesians 4:32.)

Litany
(This choral litany may be chanted or sung to the tune of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot")
Deep repentance, sweet salvation
Roll, Jordan, roll
Sweet waters, deep river
Roll, Jordan, roll

Step to the shores just as I am
Roll, Jordan, roll
The waters will wash away my sins
Roll, Jordan, roll
Dirt off my shoulder, soil off my shoes
Roll, Jordan, roll
To cleanse my soul for the Good News!
Roll, Jordan, roll
Not just my skin, Lord, cleanse my heart
Roll, Jordan, roll
Take all of me and make a new start
Roll, Jordan, roll
I'll leave these waters changed and clean
Roll, Jordan, roll
To live a life with the King!
Roll, Jordan, roll

Deep repentance, sweet salvation Roll, Jordan, roll
Sweet waters, deep river
Roll, Jordan, roll.

Invitation to Give
We live; God gives! Hallelujah!
We cry, God supplies! Hallelujah!
We need, God speeds! Hallelujah!
So let us with joy, joy, joy
Return what God has given.

Offertory Prayer
You don't have to give,
But you keep giving.
You don't have to love,
But you keep loving.
You don't owe us anything,
But you give us everything.
Thank you for these gifts we return to you.
Use them for your justice and righteousness! Amen!

Congregational Prayer
Wonder-working God, blessed Savior, your glory paints itself all over the earth's canvas. But we know needy children. We know cruel terrorists who point guns on our streets and plant bombs in buildings. We know injustice that keeps the poor from standing. But we also know your redemptive waters. We know that baptism means we live into your glory. And we know that you are coming again. Help us, Lord, paint the tough places beautiful with your love as we prepare the world for you to come. Amen.

Hymn/Music Suggestions
"Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, 196, United Methodist Hymnal
"Changed My Name" (spiritual)
"Come Now, O Prince of Peace," 2232, The Faith We Sing
"Soon and Very Soon," 706, United Methodist Hymnal
"Baptized in Water," 2248, The Faith We Sing

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About the Author: Ciona D. Rouse is a freelance writer in Nashville, TN.