Welcome to our First Sunday of Advent Liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community! Please have your Advent Wreath or a candle to light. Our theme is: stay awake and be prepared!
We invite you to pray the liturgy and respond where it says “All.” Please have bread, wine or juice ready to celebrate Eucharist.
Gathering Song:Go Light Your Candle by Chris Rice ( stop at 2:46)
Advent Candle Lightning" Opening Prayer for Transformation:
Holy One of Advent,
You call us to stay awake,
to be alert to Your presence in the ordinary,
to notice the places where love is needed,
and to prepare a way for peace in our world.
As we light our first candle,
open our hearts to hope.
Awaken us from complacency and distraction.
Let this season be more than decoration or ritual—
let it be joyful transformation.
May we become Your hands of healing,
Your voice of compassion,
Your heart of compassion in a stressful world.
Birth in us a deeper readiness
to welcome Christ in every person we meet.
We ask this in the name of Emmanuel,
the One who comes among us
with tenderness, justice, and joy.
Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
Suzanne B:
This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
the mountain of God's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
that the Holy One may instruct us,
and that we may walk in God's paths."
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of God from Jerusalem.
The Holy One shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob and Rachel, come,
let us walk in the light of the God!
Responsorial Psalm: Unity Prayer of Protection
The scripture today heeds us to take notice of the times we live through. We find mentions of war, darkness, and even the great flood! Before we escape into the Christmas movies with happy endings or the lights around the house, we are compelled to notice our time. The Great Flood Jesus alludes to in the Gospel today should serve as a warning… Remember Noah building the ark, telling people to get ready, and gathering the animals? We, too, have Noahs around us; prophets who care for our common home, telling us to do something about our carbon footprint, work for climate justice, live with what we need, and advocate for clean energy. How many “floods” have we witnessed already?
And there is so much to notice! What about the violence around us? The violence that has taken the lives of school children..,The violence that has destroyed countries around our world...
Preparing the way is not just decorating, reading, or meditating- though, all those practices are graced reminders of the season we begin. Preparing the way is moving, walking in Jesus’ paths, and finding those he blessed, healed and accompanied.
“You must also be prepared,” Jesus tells us today. May our first candle of Advent remind us to prepare our souls, home, and community to celebrate God’s promise to be with us always. Amen.
These are the sacred words of Sister Teresa Maya and we respond
All:Thanks be to God
Alleluia (Eightfold) – Jan Phillips shortened
https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw
Jeanne S:
Matthew 24:37-44
Jesus said to his disciples:
"As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
In those days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage,
up to the day that Noah entered the ark.
They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.
So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.
Two men will be out in the field;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill;
one will be taken, and one will be left.
Therefore, stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come
As we begin this holy season of Advent, the scriptures invite us not to rush toward Christmas, but to wake up. Not to fall asleep in routine or distraction, but to become aware of the sacred opportunities that surround us every day.
Isaiah gives us a vision of what God longs for—a world where weapons become tools for gardening, where nations stop training for war, and where people “walk in the light of God.” It is a dream of peace so bold, so beautiful, that it feels almost impossible. Yet Isaiah says: Come. Let us walk. Not someday. Now.
Then Jesus, in the Gospel, reminds us:
“Stay awake… you must also be prepared.”
Not out of fear, but because God is already at work around us—often in quiet, ordinary, hidden ways. In the days of Noah, people were living their lives—eating, drinking, marrying—not noticing the new thing God was doing. Their lives were full, but their hearts were not awake.
Sister Teresa Maya offers us a powerful insight:
When Jesus warns about “the flood,” maybe He isn’t just speaking of ancient history.
Maybe He is speaking about today—
the floods of violence,
climate destruction,
war,
loss,
and suffering we are seeing in our world right now.
In these times, there are “Noahs” among us—
voices calling for justice,
calling us to cherish the earth,
to make room for the poor,
to live simply so others may simply live.
Advent is not passive waiting.
Advent is active love.
Preparing the way is not just lighting candles or singing hymns—
though those moments fill us with hope.
Preparing the way means living differently.
So we ask ourselves honestly, gently:
-Who in our community could use a visit, a phone call, a warm embrace?
-With whom could we share a meal?
-Who needs to hear that they are loved?
These are not small things.
These are real Advent gifts.
These are ways we can awake, be prepared and “walk in the light of God.”
Christ is born each time compassion becomes flesh—in us.
The Holy One comes,
not in glitter and fame with hundreds of social media likes,
but in the faces of the forgotten,
and in our small acts of kindness and generosity that make life better for someone in need tender, loving care.
-participating in a food or toy drive;
-writing letters to the editor, and/or political leaders to advocate justice for the marginalized
-comforting a neighbor or friend who is grieving the loss of a loved one
-paying forward a meal or special treat for a stranger.
So, on the First Sunday of Advent, we pray for the courage to awaken to live these weeks not just as a countdown to Christmas, but as a journey of hope, justice, and love.
May we be people of the light.
May we be Christ-bearers.
And may we—through every act of generosity—
be prepared to birth peace, compassion, and joy into our world.
Amen.
Suzanne B:
Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Jeanne: We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery beyond all definition and rational understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of God's Word, bringer of God's healing, heart of God's compassion, bright star in the firmament of God's prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that we are called to follow Jesus as a vehicle of God's love, a source of God's wisdom and truth, and an instrument of God's peace in the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
The life of God that is our innermost life,
The breath of God moving in our being,
The depth of God living in each of us.
We believe that God's kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it happen.
Jane S:
Prayers of and for the Community
B: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table. As we walk together in the light of God, we pray:
Response: All: Emmanuel, walk with us.
For all who listen deeply to the Spirit…
For the devastated families of all the undocumented who are imprisoned and awaiting deportation
For the people of Israel and Palestine, Ukraine and Russia, India and Pakistan and the Sudan that they may live in peace
For world leaders that they may put children and the needs of people who are suffering in the world above guns, power, and greed
For those silenced or scrutinized for speaking truth from the margins…
For reformers working for justice and equality in the Church and the world…
For the intentions in our MMOJ prayer book (Joan shares)
For what else shall we pray?
Jane S::
Gracious One, receive our prayers and guide us on the path of love and transformation. Amen.
Offertory
Presentation of the bread and wine
Presider: Bridget Mary
God of all life, through your goodness we have bread, wine, all creation, and our own lives to offer. Through this sacred meal we become your new creation. O Holy One, You who dwell in all of us, accept our gifts that we offer in service to our faith community. We do this in memory of our brother, Jesus. Amen.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Preface:
Prayer Leader: Suzanne
The Holy One is with you.
Prayer Leader Suzanne and All:
And also with you.
Prayer Leader: Jane
We lift up our hearts.
Prayer Leader: Jane and All
We lift them up to the Holy One, the Love of our Hearts.
Prayer Leader: Suzanne
We give thanks and praise to our compassionate God.
Prayer Leader Suzanne and All:
It is right to give the Holy One thanks and praise.
Presider: Jeanne
Holy One of Hope,
we gather at the threshold of Advent,
where darkness deepens yet Your light is rising.
You call us to awaken—to see, to notice, to prepare—
for Your promise is already stirring in the heart of the world.
Presider: Bridget Mary
With Isaiah and Rebecca we dare to dream of peace:
a mountain of justice where swords become plowshares,
and nations walk together in light.
With Teresa Maya and all modern prophets,
we prepare our souls and homes for Your coming—
not in fear, but in readiness to act, to love, to serve.
And so, we join the angels and saints as we lift our hearts with all creation and sing:
All:
Holy, Holy, Holy…
https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA
Presider: Jeanne
people of readiness, courage, and hope.
Please extend your hands and pray together:
Presider : Bridget Mary and All:
We remember Jesus, who stayed awake to Love’s presence
even in the night of betrayal and fear.
At table with his friends, he took bread, blessed and broke it, saying:
“Take and eat; this is my body given for you.”
Presider: Jeanne and All:
Then he took the cup of blessing and said:
“Take and drink; this is my life poured out for you and for all.
Whenever you do this, remember me.”
Presider Bridget Mary and All:
As we share this meal,
we awaken again to Your presence as we proclaim:
Jesus has died. Christ is risen. The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today.
Presider: Jeanne
Come , Emmanuel, come , bless our political and religious leaders and for everyone with whom we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society. They are all our brothers and sisters, members of your blessed family. We remember also all those, living and dead, who touched our lives and left their footprints on our hearts. We remember especially….(mention names here, if you would like to..)
Presider: Bridget Mary
We believe that the Spirit of God is awakening us to do more than we could ever ask or imagine. We believe that it is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, that all glory and honor is yours, Creator God, forever and ever.
All: Great Amen: Linda Lee Miller
COMMUNION RITE
Presider: Jeanne :The Prayer of Jesus
Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Jeanne and All:
We celebrate your many names.
(Adapted, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS)
SIGN OF PEACE: Bridget Mary
O Radiant Light, who accompanies us on our journeys through dark times, we celebrate your fruitful love as we embrace one another with joy. May the peace that our brother Jesus, offers ,always be with us! All: AMEN Let us offer each other a sign of peace: Namaste!
LITANY OF THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD Jeanne
Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
(Jeanne and All) Holy One, You call us to speak truth to power;
(Jeanne and All) Holy One, You call us to live the Gospel of healing and justice;
(Jeanne and all) Holy One, You call us to be Your presence in the world;
Jeanne: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table. May we live as the Body of Christ in the world, serving all in need, especially those living on the margin. Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”
Communion Song: I Will Not Leave You Comfortless by Jan Phillips
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION: Bridget Mary
Loving God,
May the Christ we receive
be the Christ we become—
a living presence of hope,
a gentle voice of justice,
and a sign that love is stronger than fear.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
the One who is always being born in us and through us.
Amen.
(Gratitudes, Introductions and Announcements)
Closing Blessing
Jeanne and All:
As we leave this sacred gathering,
may we go with awakened hearts
and open eyes.
Bridget Mary and All:
May the God of Isaiah and Rebecca lead us
to turn swords into plowshares
and fear into courage.
Jeanne and All:
May the Light of Christ
shine in our words,
our choices,
and our care for one another.
Bridget Mary and All:
May the Spirit keep us ready—
ready to love,
ready to forgive,
ready to serve,
ready to birth hope where the world most needs light.
Jeanne and All:
Let us go now and prepare the way of the Holy One
with acts of kindness,
with justice rooted in compassion,
and with joy that cannot be extinguished.
Bridget Mary and All:
And may we walk in peace,
blessed and blessing,
in the name of the Creator, the Christ,
and the Spirit of Advent Love. Amen.
If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,
Please send an email to jmeehan515@aol.com
If you would like to invite another person to attend our liturgy please refer them to
www.marymotherofJesus.net where the day’s liturgy is found. Zoom instructions are also included there.
