A collect (pronounced “cah· lect”) is a short prayer to unite the thoughts and intentions of God’s gathered people. The Collects below are adapted from the Book of Common Prayer. Each Sunday includes an Old Testament reading, Psalm, Epistle, and Gospel reading. Readings on a three-year cycle are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). Readings from the more traditional, one-year lectionary are taken from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (BCP 1662) with Psalms and an OT readings supplied by the Prayer Book Society of Canada. The first Psalm is the Introit (read/sung as the ministers enter); the second Psalm is the Gradual (read/sung between the Epistle and Gospel).
Visual aids:
- Slide on meaning of “Advent”
- Slide on reason for lighting the candles
- Slide on purple color symbolism
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Lectionary readings:
- RCL Year A: Isaiah 2:1–5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11–14; Matthew 24:36–44
- RCL Year B: Isaiah 64:1–9; Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19; 1 Corinthians 1:3–9; Mark 13:24–37
- RCL Year C: Jeremiah 33:14–16; Psalm 25:1–10; 1 Thessalonians 3:9–13; Luke 21:25–36
- BCP 1662: Isaiah 62:10–12; Psalm 25:1–7; 85:4–7; Romans 13:8–14; Matthew 21:1–13
Visual aids:
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Merciful God, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Blessed Lord, you have caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP 1662)
In the 1662 BCP, the Collect for the First Sunday of Advent (“Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness…”) is prayed every Sunday of Advent with the Collect above).
Lectionary readings:
- RCL Year A: Isaiah 11:1–10; Psalm 72:1–7, 18–19; Romans 15:4–13; Matthew 3:1–12
- RCL Year B: Isaiah 40:1–11; Psalm 85:1–2, 8–13; 2 Peter 3:8–15a; Mark 1:1–8
- RCL Year C: Malachi 3:1–4; Luke 1:68–79; Philippians 1:3–11; Luke 3:1–6
- BCP 1662: Isaiah 55:6–11; Psalm 80:1–7; 50:1–6; Romans 15:4–13; Luke 21:25–33
Visual aids:
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
O Lord, stir up your power, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy quickly help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, at your first coming you sent your messenger to prepare your way before you: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise prepare and make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in your sight; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. (BCP)
Lectionary readings:
- RCL Year A: Isaiah 35:1–10; Psalm 146:5–10 or Luke 1:46b–55; James 5:7–10; Matthew 11:2–11
- RCL Year B: Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11; Psalm 126; Luke 1:46b–55; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24; John 1:6–8, 19–28
- RCL Year C: Zephaniah 3:14–20; Isaiah 12:2–6; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:7–18
- BCP 1662: Isaiah 35; Psalm 33:1–6; 80:1–3; 1 Corinthians 4:1–5; Matthew 11:2–10
Visual aids:
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Almighty God, purify our conscience by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
O Lord, we ask you to raise up your power and come among us, and with great might to help us; that whereas, through our sins and wickedness, we are greatly hindered in running the race that is set before us, your bountiful grace and mercy may speedily help and deliver us; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, world without end. Amen. (BCP)
Lectionary readings:
- Year A: Isaiah 7:10–16; Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19; Romans 1:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25
- Year B: 2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16; Luke 1:46b–55 or Psalm 89:1–4, 19–26; Romans 16:25–27; Luke 1:26–38
- Year C: Micah 5:2–5a; Luke 1:46b–55 or Psalm 80:1–7; Hebrews 10:5–10; Luke 1:39–45, (46–55)
- BCP 1662: Isaiah 40:1–9; Psalm 19:1–6; 145:18–22; Philippians 4:4–7; John 1:19–29
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