Advent 1 Prayer Service

Download this if you like. I'm posting it a few days early so you can use it to start Advent with Evening Prayer on Saturday.

Following an Advent path inspired by the Synod on the Word of God, for the First Sunday of Advent, we light the candle that signifies God's voice, and we resolve to "listen to Him."

Invitation: As Advent begins, we thank God for sending us the Word, God from God, to guide us in the truth and teach us, and we pray for the grace of a listening heart.

Reading: Mk. 9:2-7 ("This is my Beloved Son; listen to him.")

Response:
From the bright cloud comes the voice of the Father:
--This is my Beloved Son, listen to him.
My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me:
--This is my Beloved Son, listen to him.

Intercessions (Respond: Come Lord Jesus)
Look with mercy on the poor, the lonely, the depressed, the neglected, and give us your gaze of compassion for them. We pray:
Open our minds to an understanding of the Scriptures through which you continue to speak words of eternal life. We pray:
John the Baptist was filled with joy at the sound of your approach; let us know the same joy of heart on hearing your word. We pray:
Fill our minds and hearts with your Gospel so we can speak your words to those who wait for you. We pray:

Our Father...
Closing prayer:
As we light this first Advent candle, Father, enlighten us with your word in the depths of our hearts. May your word be the light that directs our words, choices and priorities in the ways of peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord.