A Taizé Advent Service

As a student of Concordia University Texas (CTX), I have the wonderful opportunity to go to chapel every day of the week. While they only last 20 minutes, they are able to get away with things that most churches would never be able to. One of those things is the use of a variety of worship styles. Every Wednesday for the past couple of months, we have used a Taizé style of service.


On campus, we have been accompanied by a piano and a (microphoned) guitar. I have heard some that add flute or some other kind of strings. Since the main idea is to meditate on the Word of God, loud or electric instruments are really not appropriate. The lights are dimmed and candles are everywhere. Frankly, I wish we each would be given candles to hold, but...


I decided it would be good to give the general order of worship, including how I might change it to fit a longer time-frame. The original is written in white. My changes are written in the annoying green.


Prelude (based on the hymn or one of the chants)
Invocation and Call to Worship based on Psalm 24
Song (Our Darkness is Never Darkness)
Collect
Announcement of Sinfulness/Confession/Absolution
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Hymn (Stay with Us, LSB 879)
     L: Jesus Christ is the Light of the World
     C: The Light no darkness can overcome
     L: Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening,
     C: And the day is almost over.
     L: Hope, peace, joy, and love are ours
     C: In the Name of Jesus.
     L: Jesus Christ is the Light of the World

     C: The Light no darkness can overcome

Song (See, I Am Near)

Scripture readings

     L: Through Word and Spirit, now and forever,

     C: The Lord is near.

Sermon Hymn

Sermon/Message

Song (Wait for the Lord) or 

(Magnificat) (Where portions of the Magnificat were read, followed by a sung response of the people)

Prayers

      L: Let us pray to the Lord.

      C: Lord, have mercy. (LSB 943 or 944)

Lord's Prayer

Benediction

Song (In the Lord I'll Be Ever Thankful) or (Nunc Dimittis)

Postlude