Four white candles for Advent

The last Sunday of Advent often has a focus on Love. For creative resources for individuals, families, and worship planners, visit Advent Unwrapped.

Worship Ideas

Music

  • Advent Prayer Song (SAB) (Nancy Chegus) (61.83 KB) (PDF): Short SAB piece (a cappella, optional piano) suitable for worship during Advent. Please credit the composer.
  • Alleluia (SATB) (Pat Mayberry / David Kai) (418.48 KB) (PDF): Short SATB piece (a cappella, optional piano) suitable for worship during Advent or other times during the worship year. Please credit Words/Music: Pat Mayberry; Arrangement: David Kai and report to One License / Licensing.
  • Intercultural Hymn Festival for Advent (69.97 KB) (Word): Songs selected with accompanying commentary by Bruce Harding to be combined with seasonal prayers and scripture readings.
  • Intercultural Hymn Festival for Advent (219.55 KB) (PDF): These songs with accompanying commentary can be combined with seasonal prayers and scripture readings to create an Advent hymn festival. Please credit Bruce Harding for this resource and the music arrangements.
  • Scripture Music for Advent (239.47 KB) (PDF): Words and music to accompany scripture during Advent.
  • Service Music for Advent (329.68 KB) (PDF): Words and music for Advent services composed by Lisa Waites.
  • Sing Now Gloria (Unison) (Terry Macham) (85.52 KB) (PDF): Unison song suitable for worship during Advent. Lead sheet with melody, lyrics, and chord symbols. Text in English and Latin. Please credit the composer.
  • These Gifts We Bring (SATB) (Pat Mayberry / David Kai) (1.86 MB) (PDF): A short piece to follow the offering. Please credit Words/Music: Pat Mayberry; Arrangement: David Kai and report to One License / Licensing.
  • When You Go from This Place (SSA / SAT) (Pat Mayberry / David Kai) (297.13 KB) (PDF): Short SAA (or SAT) piece with piano accompaniment suitable as a benediction during Advent or other times during the worship year. Please credit Words/Music: Pat Mayberry; Arrangement: David Kai and report to One License / Licensing.

Related Material

  • 2021 KAIROS Palestine Christmas Alert (1.37 MB) (PDF): A glimpse on Palestinians' life inside and outside Palestine and the unity in struggle, resistance, and hope.
  • Advent as a Season of Invitation (1.46 MB) (Word): Tips for working on the invitation-culture of your church during Advent.
  • Advent as a Season of Invitation Card (362.15 KB) (PDF): Use this fillable, printable card to invite others to your church to celebrate this Christmas season!
  • Advent as a Season of Invitation Video: United Church growth animators Tori Mullin and Scott Reynolds play out a conversation between neighbours with three possible responses to an invitation to Christmas worship. This conversation highlights the importance of hearing the needs of others while also respecting boundaries when inviting others to celebrate this Christmas season.
  • Buy Less Shopping Guide (108.17 KB) (PDF): An Advent Unwrapped shopping guide for all ages for a Buy Less Christmas.
  • Moderator's Advent Message 2024: Transcript (33.57 KB) (Word): Transcript of Moderator Carmen Lansdowne's Advent 2024 video message.
  • Moderator’s Advent Message 2024: Video: In her Advent message, Moderator Carmen Lansdowne reflects on how the Christ child was not born in luxury, but had loving parents and God’s grace. This love is what we hope for with all of those in our care. You can support children around the world: united-church.ca/advent.
  • The Good News of Joy to the World (226.11 KB) (PDF): A five-session Advent Unwrapped Bible study on the Gospel of Luke by the Rev. Dr. Peggy Mulambya-Kabonde of The United Church of Zambia.
  • The Good News Story (392.39 KB) (PDF): Four Advent Unwrapped Sunday school session outlines.
  • Watching and Waiting: A Daily Vigil Based on the O Antiphons (628.25 KB) (PDF): Follow the ancient tradition of praying the “O Antiphons,” familiar from the carol “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” using this Advent Unwrapped resource. You can set aside nightly family prayer time for the last week of Advent or adapt this ritual in another way.

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