We do not presume
to come to this your table, merciful Lord,
trusting in our own righteousness,
but in your abundant and great mercies.

We are not worthy even to gather up the crumbs under your table.
But you are the same Lord who delights in showing mercy.

Grant us therefore, gracious, Lord,
so to eat this bread and drink this wine
that our bodies and souls
may be made clean by Christ’s body and blood
and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.

Amen.

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

–1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Almighty God,
Our heavenly Father,

we have sinned against you in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault.

We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.

For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life,
to the glory of your name.

Amen

“For unto us a child is born…”

Father we thank you for this Advent season…

…this time when even the secular seems to have touches of the Sacred.
As we rush to prepare for services celebrating the birth of your Son,
let us not forget to take time ourselves to consider the meaning of it all.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

Let that truth pierce our hearts this week… as though we just heard it for the first time.
Out of His great love for us, the Infinite God squeezed himself into our tiny little finite existence!
Fill us with wonder anew that it may drip out onto those around us…
…so that we won’t be just leading services this week, we’ll be experiencing them.

Bring those who need to hear the Good News of Great Joy.
Help us to proclaim it with love and grace.
Fill us all with the Peace that passes all understanding as we gather once more around the manger.
Just as the shepherds did so long ago…
…to bow in worship before the King of all Creation.

To Him be the Glory and Honor and Praise forever and ever.
Amen.

Glad tidings of great joy,
Alex S. Leung

Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!

Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!

Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that Thine hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!

I said a prayer for you today,
and knew God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart,
although He spoke no words.

I didn’t ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn’t mind.
I asked Him for treasures
of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He’d be near you,
in all things great and small;
but it was for His loving care
I prayed for most of all.