July 4, 2009 |
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Advent Wreath Prayer | Fourth Week of AdventPosted: 12.16.08 
ILLUSTRATION | FC Leader: The fourth and final week of the season of Advent begins today. As we near Christmas we spend this moment in prayer so that we are better prepared to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and into our lives. Light four candles on the Advent Wreath Read aloud: 2 Samuel 7:1–5, 8b–12, 14a, 16; Romans 16:25–27; Luke 1:26–38 Leader: When we think that we are in charge and in control, that’s when we need to remember that it is God who has provided everything we have and made us everything we are. This Fourth Week of Advent, the reading from the Hebrew Bible leaves us asking “Do I have a dwelling place for the Lord in my heart?” This week let’s ask ourselves, “Are our hearts a fitting place for the Christ Child to rest his head?” Closing prayer: Leader or others share prayers (1.) Father in heaven, help us to remember that all our gifts come from you. When we think we are in charge, remind us that all we are your people and that you are our God. And let us have no gods — not wealth, not power, not fame, not material things — before you. (2.) God above, as you found favor in the Virgin Mary, help us live so that you find favor in our lives. Help us to be holy. (3.) Help us, Lord, to follow Mary’s example of faith and trust. Along with Mary, help us too to say yes God, I am yours. Do with me as you want. Make me your hands on Earth. (4.) Holy Spirit, inspire us to live every day as if Christmas is just a week away. Prayer source: Catholic Spirit, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Advent Wreath Prayer | Third Week of AdventPosted: 12.09.08 
ILLUSTRATION | FC Leader: With the start of this third week of the season of Advent we are halfway to Christmas, so as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ and for the second coming of the Lord, we light three candles, including a special one of a different color. Light the first two candles on the Advent Wreath again, and the third one — that is pink. Read aloud: Isaiah 61:1–2a, 10–11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24; John 1:6–8, 19–28 Leader: Lighting the lighter–colored candle this week is a sign of that what was dark is getting brighter, and joy is on its way. We can hardly wait to rejoice and sing at Christmas. We know that the wonder of the season tends to push all our sadness and sorrow away, so we start to feel that special feeling already. The prophet Isaiah in this Third Week of Advent recalls for us of what that joy is like. Feeling God in our lives lifts our spirits. And what is it that will make even the poor happy and the hurting healed? Praise for God and justice for others. St. Paul reminds us to pray, to be holy and to not let anything quench our joyous spirit. Closing prayer: Leader or others share prayers (1.) Father in heaven, help us hear again the voice of John the Baptist crying out in the desert. Help us make straight the pathways of our own lives so that those paths lead to eternal life with you. (2.) God above, “do good” and “avoid evil” is so easy to say yet so hard to put into practice. Be with us in each and every moment of each and every day so that we remain blameless and worthy of your coming. (3.) Help us, Lord, not to dampen the joy of others. Remind us this week to rejoice always and to pray without ceasing. (4.) Holy Spirit, guide us so that our lives may be testimony of the wonders and the love of God, so that others might believe through us. Prayer source: Catholic Spirit, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Advent Wreath Prayer | Second Week of AdventPosted: 12.02.08 
ILLUSTRATION | FC Leader: Today begins the second week of the season of Advent. In order to help each of us prepare our own hearts for the birth of Christ, we take these few moments each week to pray together. Light two candles on the Advent Wreath Read aloud: Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11; 2 Peter 3:8–14; Mark 1:1–8 Leader: If you close your eyes and imagine you are living in the time of John the Baptist, it is easy to hear a deep, booming voice shouting, “Prepare the way of the Lord!” In the Bible passages for this Second Week of Advent we hear John the Baptist repeating those words of Isaiah the prophet. They both remind us that we’d better work seriously to make straight our own paths and to clean up the wastelands in our own lives. And St. Paul tells us how to do that: by being holy. Closing prayer: Leader or others share prayers (1.) Father in heaven, during this second week of Advent, help us see clearly the times when we have sinned. Accept our sorrow for having pulled away from you, and give us firm resolve to stay close to you. (2.) God above, help us conduct ourselves in holiness. We long to be the people you expect us to be. Help us as we strive to make our souls spotless and put our hearts and minds at peace. (3.) Help us, Lord, to remember that we were baptized for a reason. Help us realize our baptismal call to live as a child of God. (4.) And dear God, don’t let us miss chances this week to be welcoming to other people and to work in harmony with everyone. Help us as we try to change our ways so that we are good examples of people who love and follow the Lord. Prayer source: Catholic Spirit, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Advent Wreath Prayer | First Week of AdventPosted: 11.25.08 
ILLUSTRATION | FC Leader: Today begins a special time of year for us. This week we begin the season of Advent — that period of preparation and waiting before Christmas. In order to help each of us prepare our own hearts for the birth of Christ, we take these few moments each week to pray together. Light first candle on the Advent Wreath Read aloud: Isaiah 63:16b–17, 19b; 64:2b–7; 1 Corinthians 1:3–9; Mark 13:33–37 Leader: Did you ever wonder why God didn’t make it easier for us to be good? The Bible passages that the church has chosen for this First Sunday of Advent point out two things — that we aren’t perfect, and that we could be – and we’d better be! — better people. The prophet Isaiah begs God for help. The evangelist Paul offers up a thank you to God for all the gifts we have. And Mark’s Gospel reminds us that the time to start living the right way is right now. — this Advent — today. Closing prayer: Leader or others share prayers (1.) Dear God, help us to accept that we are the clay and that you are the potter. Throughout this first week of Advent, help us remember that we are your people and that you are our God. Help us get our priorities right and put the most important things first – loving God and loving our neighbor. (2.) Holy Spirit, guide the choices we make throughout this week so that we choose to do what honors our creator and what shows our love of others. (3.) Father in heaven, we offer thanks to you for the many gifts and talents you have given to all the people on the Earth, to our family and friends, to the neighbors we know and the neighbors we have yet to befriend. (4.) Lord Jesus, we wait in joyful hope for you. Come into our hearts, so that when the time comes, we will be prepared to join you in everlasting joy. Prayer source: Catholic Spirit, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis |
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