Our congregation will be reading this antiphonaly, right side and left side, but it could be easily done other ways as well.A Responsive Reading for the Second Week of Advent -- Adapted from Isaiah 40
“Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. A voice calls in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God."
Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!"
The Sovereign LORD comes with power. See, his reward is with him! He tends his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.
Who of us has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand… or marked out the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on his scales?
God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth…He stretches out the heavens like a canopy.
Lift up your eyes to the heavens: Who created all these? Who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name? Because of his great power, not one of them is missing.
Why do you complain? Why do you say, "My way is hidden from the LORD; God is disregarding me”?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
(Pause for candle to be lit.)
All: We light our second candle to remember the one who prepared the way of the Lord. Together, we also will prepare a way for the Lord’s coming. In this season of waiting on the Lord, we will find new strength together. We will see the glory of the Lord together. Together we will shine His light.
4 comments:
I came by to say I like your new picture! It's very festive. Then I saw the cutie in the sidebar.
Then I read "Why do you complain?" in your advent reading. *hunching shoulders in an 'awshucks'* I expect your reading did me more good than going to church tomorrow will.
Thanks.
I love this litany!
And Trinity Ann is a treasure, indeed.
Thanks! As you know, CH, litanies are not common in AG churches, but I've been trying my hand at some off and on for the last year or so. That you liked it, both of you, is good to know. Suggestions or criticism welcome as well!
The Word is powerful, in and of itself. My experience with responsive reading has been limited, but very rewarding. It causes me to focus on the scripture's application to my life.
Post a Comment