Liturgical Resources

Call to Worship

Like generations upon generations before us, we enter Advent with longing for hope to reign where despair feels entrenched, for peace to rule where conflict and destruction overwhelm.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

We gather, wondering whether joy will return when we have experienced so much heartbreak, whether love can make a difference when hate and apathy seem so widespread.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

We gather to join our voices with the psalmists and musicians, the travelers, and the faithful from long ago, who also longed for restoration and salvation, who felt God was far away or perhaps felt how far they had wandered away from God.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Come, you who wait and watch for the coming Messiah, to worship God who invites us to join in the Spirit’s restoration song until the day when earth and heaven both reflect the fullness of the kingdom of God.

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2026.

Opening Prayer

God of justice and peace,
from the heavens you rain down mercy and kindness,
that all on earth may rise in awe and wonder
before your marvelous deeds.
Raise our heads in expectation,
that we may yearn for the coming day of the Lord
and come without blame before your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Adapted from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers copyright © 2002 Consultation on Common Texts admin. Augsburg Fortress. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/11/collect-for-advent-1-year-b.html.

Prayer of Confession

Restore us, Lord. Once we prayed, knowing our help came from you. Once we defied injustice, knowing that you were on our side. Once, we prayed all night “’til our help came.” Once, we apologized for calling someone a fool. Once, we believed it was important to please you. Restore us as people who follow God even when no one is looking. Restore us, Lord.

Silent prayers of confession

Words of Assurance

Jesus Christ, who loved us enough to leave heaven and live among us, hears our prayers and forgives heartfelt confession. Live now as people restored by the Lord, empowered to live as children of God. Amen.

Written by Kwasi I. Kena in The Africana Worship Book, Year B (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2007), 147, 166.

Benediction

May God bless you with hope that cuts through despair, that we may join our voices with God’s restoration song and live in partnership with God and one another as we work for the flourishing of all God’s creation. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, May 2026.