VERSION: 9 April 2002

An Advent proclamation
with hymn verses and four speakers
(based partly on JS Bach's Cantata 61, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland)

This presentation could be used at an Advent evening or in the service of the First Sunday of Advent, eg before 'In the name', after the confession and absolution, before the gospel, or before the sermon.

The tune of Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (LH 19, TIS 295) is played.

Congregation: (Sings LH 19 modernised (TIS 295), vv 1,3)

Saviour of the nations, come,
known as Virgin Mary's son.
God amazes all the earth
by the wonder of your birth.

Mary, when the time had come,
as a virgin bore her son;
in her body was the place
where God set his throne of grace.

Speaker 1: (Enters and faces the congregation)
Christ the Saviour has come.
He has taken on himself
our frail flesh and blood,
and accepts us as his own relatives by blood. 
(Turns to face the altar)
Great God of heaven,
you are the source of everything good,
and you have done all this for us.
We thank you 
for caring for your people each day
Thank you for coming to us,
and making your light shine on us
with the brightest blessings.

Speaker 2: (Enters and faces the altar, lifting up arms in prayer)
Come, Lord Jesus! Come to your church
and give us a blessed new year.
May your church honour your name,
proclaim your life-giving word,
and use your holy meal for nourishment.

Speaker 3: (Enters and faces the congregation. Holds open a Bible and reads from it)
Jesus says:
Listen! I stand at the door and knock;
if any hear my voice and open the door,
I will come in to them
and eat with them,
and they will eat with me.

Congregation: (Sings LH 287 modernised (TIS 503), v 2)

Quickly let me go to meet him,
like a bride run out to greet him.
With his grace he stands there knocking;
let me now, my doors unlocking,
open wide the way before him,
say to him, as I adore him:
Come, dear Lord, let me receive you,
do not let me ever leave you. 

Speaker 4: (Enters and faces the congregation. Places hands on heart and then opens arms wide)
Open wide, my heart!
Jesus is waiting to come and enter it.
I am dust of the earth,
yet he does not reject me.
Instead, he takes pleasure in me,
and makes me his dwelling-place.
O how blessed I am!

Congregation: (Sings LH 147 modernised (TIS 199), v 3)

What joy is mine, all sorrows past;
the Lord I love is first and last;
there is no other Saviour.
I know that I will surely rise
to be with him in Paradise,
where I will live forever.
Amen, amen,
for your coming
I am longing,
Crown of gladness!
Come, and end all grief and sadness.

Advent proclamation devised by David Schubert, 2000. Hymn verses from LCA National Office, used by permission, translated by John Kleinig and David Schubert; David Schubert; John Pfitzner. This Advent proclamation may be reproduced by congregations for non-commercial worship purposes.