21st Century Africana Liturgy Resources: Worship Resources for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C

Suggested Music -- Malachi 3:1-4

• "But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming," Patti Austin, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration (Word 1992)
• "And He Shall Purify," Tramaine Hawkins, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration (Word 1992)

Suggested Music -- Luke 1:68-79

• "Every Valley Shall Be Exalted," Chris Willis, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration (Word 1992)
• "And The Glory Of The Lord," Diane Reeves, Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration (Word 1992)

One Day
Choral Reading, Bbased Upon Luke 3:5
(Requires four readers; may be used as a Call to Worship with the congregation joining readers 1-4 on the last line of each stanza.)

Reader 1: One day
Readers 1 and 2: One day
Readers 1, 2, and 3: One day
Readers 1, 2, 3, and 4: One day every valley gonna be filled

Reader 2: One day
Readers 2 and 3: One day
Readers 2, 3, and 4: One day
Readers 1, 2, 3, and 4: One day every mountain and hill gonna be made low,

Reader 3: One day
Readers 3 and 4: One day
Readers 1, 3, and 4: One day
Readers 1, 2, 3, and 4: One day all the crooked gonna be made straight,

Reader 4: One day
Readers 1 and 4: One day Readers 1, 2, and 4: One day
Readers 1, 2, 3, and 4: One day all the rough ways gonna be made smooth;

Reader 1: One day
Readers 1 and 2: One day
Readers 1, 2, and 3: One day
Readers 1, 2, 3, and 4: One day God's gonna do it!
We're all gonna see it!

Look Where The Lord Has Brought Us From!
(An affirmation based on Luke 1:68-79)
One: Look where the Lord has brought us from!

Many: God has brought us a mighty long way! And God will go with us all the way!

One: Blessed be the Lord God! God has looked favorably on us and redeemed us. God has raised up a mighty savior for us. Look where the Lord has brought us from!

Many: God has brought us a mighty long way! And God will go with us all the way!

One: From of old, God has spoken through the mouth of holy prophets: we will be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Look where the Lord has brought us from!

Many: God has brought us a mighty long way! And God will go with us all the way!

One: God has shown us the mercy promised our ancestors, and has remembered the holy covenant, that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness before God all our days. Look where the Lord has brought us from!

Many: God has brought us a mighty long way! And God will go with us all the way!

One: And God has sent one, who is called the prophet of the Most High; who has prepared the way for God and gives salvation knowledge to God's people, forgiving our sins. Look where the Lord has brought us from!

Many: God has brought us a mighty long way! And God will go with us all the way!

One: By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Look where the Lord has brought us from!

Many: Look where the Lord has brought us from!

All: God has brought us a mighty long way! And God will go with us all the way!

Prayer of Confession
(Based on Philippians 1:3-5)
O Lord, we forget you.
We forget to pray.
When we pray, we forget to thank you.
When we pray, we forget our sisters and brothers.
When we pray, we forget your joy.
When we pray, we forget your good news.
We forget what you've done for us from the first days till now.

O Lord, we forget. Forgive us for being so forgetful.

(Silence)

Words of Assurance
(Philippians 1:6)
Friends, be confident! The one who began a good work within you and among us will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.