The Prayer Service begins with the Lighting of an Advent Candle

Leader: You are the God of hope, fill us with hope in abundance by the power of your Holy Spirit.

All: In hope we are saved

Leader: In steadfastness, God, let us hold to your word, open to the encouragement of the Scriptures in hope.

All: In hope we are saved

Leader: God of truth, lead us to seize the hope set before us in this season. Let it be a sure and steadfast anchor of our souls.

All: In hope we are saved

Hymn :Church of God (or other suitable hymn)

Chorus:
Church of God, holy people, sing your praise to God.
God has called you out of darkness into God's marvellous light.

The church is built with living stones, with Christ as cornerstone.
In Him we trust, who makes us one, uniting us in love
We build on the rock of faith in Christ.
Chorus:

May fragrant smoke of incense rise, to fill this house of prayer
May we who gather find true peace, God's presence filling our lives
Our hearts lift with praise, our lips sing in joy.
Chorus:

The light of Christ has come to us, dispelling all our fears
His light reveals the path of life, we follow Him with joy
The glory of God, the light of the world.
Chorus:



Psalms and Readings:

Antiphon 1   Behold, I bring you glad tidings; our God and Saviour is coming

Reading from Isaiah:
The vision of Isaiah, son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In the days to come, the mountain of the temple of the Lord shall tower above the mountains and be lifted higher than the hills. All the nations will stream to it; and they will say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths; since the Law will go out from Zion and the oracle of the Lord from Jerusalem' The Lord will wield authority over the nations and adjudicate between many peoples; these will hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears into sickles. Nations will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war. O House of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
Repeat Antiphon 1


Antiphon 2    Our God is coming, bringing salvation to all. Let us rejoice.

With joy I heard them say, Let us go to the Lord's house!
And now, Jerusalem, we stand inside your gates.

Jerusalem, the city so built, that city and temple are one.
To you the tribes go up, every tribe of the Lord

It is the law of Israel, to honour God's name
The seats of law are here, the thrones of David's line.

Pray peace for Jerusalem: happiness for your homes,
Safety inside your walls, peace in your great houses.

For love of family and friends I say, 'Peace be with you'
For love of the Lord's own house, I pray for your good.

Glory be... Repeat Antiphon 2


Antiphon 3 God will come, the Holy one of Israel