GATHERING SONG

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GATHERING PRAYER

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| Leader |
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We are making ready the way of the Lord as we prepare for Jesus coming into our lives at Christmas. As have faithful people before us, we say, "Come, Lord Jesus, come." We express our joyful hope during this season of Advent.
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READING

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| Reader |
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A reading from the Gospel of Mark.

(Read Mark 1:2-8.)

The Gospel of the Lord.
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| All |
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Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
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O ANTIPHONS

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| Reader 1 |
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O Wisdom who came
from the mouth of the Most High,
who reaches from beginning to end,
come and show us your way.
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Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bring hope to all your people.
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| Reader 2 |
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O Lord and ruler of the house of Israel,
who appeared to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the law on Mount Sinai,
come and set us free.
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Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bring hope to all your people.
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| Reader 3 |
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O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign
for all peoples and all nations;
nations bow before you,
come and save us.
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Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bring hope to all your people.
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| Reader 4 |
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O Key of David and
ruler of the house of Israel,
make our pathways safe,
come and free us.
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Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bring hope to all your people.
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| Reader 5 |
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O Dawn of the East,
bright and eternal light,
sun of all justice,
come and bring us your light.
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Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bring hope to all your people.
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| Reader 6 |
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O King of nations,
you who will bring all peoples together,
end our divisions
and make us one.
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Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bring hope to all your people.
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| Reader 7 |
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O Emmanuel,
our king and ruler,
the savior of the world,
come, save us and set us free.
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Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Bring hope to all your people.
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CLOSING PRAYER

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| Leader |
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God of history, your Son, Jesus, has many titles. Help us in our waiting for him, the gift of your love. We pray that you will make Jesus the center of our lives and help our faith to be strong in both word and deed. Bless our families and our faith community so that the light of Christ may shine through us to reach the hearts of those around us. We ask this through Christ our Lord,
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Amen.

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CLOSING SONG
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