This year for Advent we are going to have a lengthy season (the longest it can be). Also during this several festivals are going to happen at key days making it helpful to celebrate them during midweek services (Christians need heroes – see AC XXI and AP XXI in the Book of Concord). The focus of our series this year will be the theme “Come and See”, which is of course from John 1, where evangelism is shown as simply asking others to come and meet Christ where He can be found – for us, in His coming to us by Word and Sacrament in His present visitation of grace.
A devotion will be coming in the last half of November which will help members to grapple with evangelism to others, especially friends and family, but also the rejection that usually follows in a fallen world.
Advent 2022 – “Come and See” Midweek Service Plan
Office of Vespers (p 229)
Midweek 1 – 11/30 – Andrew – Christ gives eyes to see
Opening Hymn – 354 Arise, O Christian People
Psalm – 139:1-12
Office Hymn – 346 When All the World Was Cursed
Lessons
Old Testament – Ezekiel 3:16-21
Epistle – Romans 10:8b-18
Gospel – John 1:35-42
Closing Hymn – 345 Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding
Midweek 2 – 12/7 – Phillip and Nathanael – Calling friends and family to see Jesus
Opening Hymn – 341 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates
Psalm – 121
Office Hymn – 839 O Christ, Our True and Only Light
Lessons
Old Testament – Proverbs 3:1-8
Epistle – 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Gospel – John 1:43-51
Closing Hymn – 347 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People
Midweek 3 – 12/14 – The world refuses to see
Opening Hymn – 862 Oh, Blest the House
Psalm – 56
Office Hymn – 743 Jesus, Priceless Treasure
Lessons
Old Testament – 2 Kings 19:14-20
Epistle – Romans 1:16-32
Gospel – John 9:1-41
Closing Hymn – 334 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
Midweek 4 – 12/21 – Thomas – Seeing by believing
Opening Hymn – 332 Savior of the Nations Come
Psalm – 123
Office Hymn – 350 Come, Thou Precious Ransom Come
Lessons
Old Testament – Judges 6:36-40
Epistle – Ephesians 4:7-16
Gospel – John 20:24-39
Closing Hymn – 357 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Other Service Thoughts:
Christmas Eve – Come and behold
Christmas Day – We have beheld His glory
January 6 – We have come to worship
This looks great! Do you know which artwork you will use yet for the devotional? I like to make a flyer each year and keep the artwork consistent. Thanks for these wonderful Advent resources.