My Soul Smiles: A 21st Century Worship Resource for the First Sunday of Advent, Year A

Gathering
My soul smiles
My heart dances
My fears flee
My mind wrestles
My tongue shouts praise
My loneliness finds company
My spirit meets God
Surely, we are in the house of the Lord!

Congregational Prayer
Gracious God, let your kingdom come.
We know we war against your kingdom --
At school, we drop hate bombs on the girl who is different.
At home, we slice family with our tongues.
At work, we stab friends with the rumors we spread.
Even at church, we find enemies and attack.
But your kingdom can be on earth,
We could experience the fullness of your glory
If we would only lay down our weapons.
Help us, Lord, to study war no more,
In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Ciona Rouse is a freelance writer and a former staff member of the Discipleship Ministries, Nashville, TN.

From the Africana Worship Book for Year A. Copyright Discipleship Resources. Used with permission.