The Free Methodist Way: A Resource for Advent 

Each year, many of us look for resources for the Sundays of Advent, including readings and prayers to introduce the lighting of candles around an Advent wreath. 

We’ve also heard from churches that are looking for worship resources to support their introduction of The Free Methodist Way (fmcusa.org/thefmway), a fresh articulation of the values that shape our unique identity in the Body of Christ.

In response, we would like to offer this set of Advent candle-lighting litanies that take their cue from the Revised Common Lectionary and the five identity-shaping values of The Free Methodist Way. For each Sunday, you will find the lectionary readings, a brief explanation of one of the five FM Way values, a paragraph that introduces the passages, and a litany to be read as candles are lit. 

We offer you this resource to use as is or adapt as best fits your congregation. 

Click below to download the Word Doc

---

Advent 1: Cross-Cultural Collaboration

Lectionary Passages: 

Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21:25-36

Introducing the FM Way: 

During the season of Advent, we look forward to God drawing near to us in Jesus. God gave the signs of Messiah’s coming to and through the nations, and he will again.

The Free Methodist Way aspires to move beyond colonialism and ethnocentrism in favor of a collaborative partnership in God’s global work in anticipation of the day when a great multitude from every tongue, tribe, people, and language makes up the eternal throng before the throne of God (Revelation 7:9). 

Introducing the Passages: 

The prophet Jeremiah reminds us that the day is surely coming when God will fulfill his promise and the Lord of Righteousness will bring salvation and safety. Our Psalm teaches us that the Lord is good and upright and will instruct people in his way, so they are able to keep his covenant and decree. The Thessalonian believers looked forward to Jesus returning and sought to be spiritually strengthened, holy, and blameless in preparation for that wonderful day. Luke reminds his hearers that when Jesus returns, the signs of his coming will be in the heavens for all humanity to see.  

Candle Lighting Litany: (Light the first purple candle while reading)

We light this candle and join with our sisters and brothers in Christ, from every tribe, every tongue, and every nation to prepare our hearts and lift up our souls in anticipation of the day when Jesus comes in power and glory. Come, O Come, Emmanuel. God be with us.

---

Advent 2: Life-Giving Holiness

Lectionary Passages: 

Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6

Introducing the FM Way: 

God’s call to holiness was never meant to be a burden, but a gift that liberates by delivering us from the destructive power of sin. Life-giving holiness, then, is the fruit of full surrender to the loving reign of God over every aspect of our lives, establishing within us a foundation of love that enables us to embrace the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. This is true freedom. This is true life. This, God makes possible in Jesus. 

Introducing the Passages: 

Malachi’s prophecy makes it clear that the Lord we are seeking, the one we most deeply desire, IS coming into our broken lives, our broken world. Our desires will not be left unfulfilled as we seek to become more and more like Jesus. And as Luke reminds us, in God’s tender mercy, God’s light shines into our darkness, into the shadow of death that surrounds us, and guides us into paths of peace and wholeness. Therefore, with Paul we thank God and pray with joy that the good work God has begun in us, a work of holiness and wholeness, of transformation and empowerment, is being carried on to completion. God’s love then leads to knowledge and depth of insight as our crooked ways are made straight and we are filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Candle Lighting Litany: (Light two purple candles while reading)

As we light these candles and look to the coming of Christ, we open our hearts again to the transforming love of God. We receive and rejoice as our deepest desires are fulfilled in the healing wholeness of God’s freedom. We surrender again to this gift of God’s redeeming love as we look to the fullness of God’s kingdom. We trust you, God, praying that you will deepen that trust in the midst of our brokenness. Come, O Come Emmanuel—life-giving God of holiness and life, be with us and in us.

---

Advent 3: Christ-Compelled Multiplication

Lectionary Passages: 

Zephaniah 3:14-20, Isaiah 12:2-6, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:7-18

Introducing the FM Way: 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ—the message He proclaimed, the life He lived, and the ministry He modeled—set into motion a redemptive movement destined to fill the whole earth. His aim was not merely the transmission of information, but the transformation of lives by empowering those who followed Him to do what He had been doing. His mission is now our mission. The Free Methodist Way is to see God’s kingdom expand exponentially as ordinary people are equipped by God’s power to do extraordinary things.

Introducing the Passages: 

In the lectionary passages today, we see the joy that comes through God’s mission to renew and transform hearts, lives, and communities. This joy is contagious and spreads throughout all the earth! In Zephaniah, the Lord has acted not only to renew and restore His children, but to gather all who are hurting and outcast, transforming all shame into rejoicing. The prophet Isaiah describes how God’s salvation and wonderful deeds are so glorious, we can’t help but sing the Lord’s praises to all the earth. Paul exhorts the believers in Philippi to let their joy in the Lord’s peace and presence be made known to everyone. Even as John the Baptist commands repentance in Luke, we see that his message is good news that transforms the hearts and lives of all people, from tax collectors and soldiers to the children of Abraham.

Candle Lighting Litany: (Light 2 purple and 1 pink candle while reading)

On this third Sunday in Advent, we light this candle and remember with joy the ways that God has worked to save, to renew, and to transform His people and all of creation. We rejoice that by the power of God, we take part in this mission, sharing the Good News with all. 

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

---

Advent 4: Love-Driven Justice

Lectionary Passages: 

Micah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:46-55, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-55

Introducing the FM Way: 

God shows up in the most unexpected places. This should motivate us to look down, to move to the margins, to live out Love-Driven Justice. Love is the way we demonstrate God’s just character, valuing the image of God in all men, women, and children, acting with compassion toward the oppressed, resisting oppression, and stewarding Creation. In following the Free Methodist Way, we pursue Love-Driven Justice with a desire that all may be reconciled to God and one another in ways that reflect God’s character. 

Introducing the Passages: 

In our lectionary texts for this fourth Sunday of Advent, we see God’s dream for love-driven justice outlined. In Micah we read of preference given to the lowly, the small and seemingly insignificant. Bethlehem, the little clan of Judah, would be the one bringing forth the eternal ruler of God’s Kingdom. Hebrews 10 tells us that there are no showmanship awards in the Kingdom of God. Rather, we are invited to take on the nature of the servant just as Christ did. Luke chapter 1 brings us the melodies of Mary’s Song as she declares God’s delight in those who are humble and unassuming. Mary’s lowly status in her community makes her the perfect platform for demonstrating God’s power and majesty. She recognizes her life as just a portion of the narrative of humanity’s long-desired Messiah.

Candle Lighting Litany: (Light 3 purple and 1 pink candle while reading)

On this fourth Sunday in Advent, we light this candle and link arms with our Free Methodist founders whose deep convictions around matters of injustice motivated them to stand against the evils of slavery, the oppression of the poor, the marginalization of women, and the abuse of power in the church. Our heart for justice expands today, fueled by God’s holy love for the unborn, the vulnerable, oppressed, marginalized, and people of all races and ethnicities. 

Come, Lord Jesus, Come. 

---

Christmas I: God-Given Revelation

Lectionary Passages: 

I Samuel 2:18-20, 26; Luke 2:41-52; Colossians 3:12-17; Psalm 148

Introducing the FM Way: 

Believing that God’s written Word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit, bears unerring witness to Jesus Christ, the living Word, we hold Scripture as our final authority in all matters of faith and practice. While seeking to communicate authentically and apply biblical truths with cultural sensitivity, we yet understand that Scripture’s timeless truths may call us to stand counter-culturally against the norms and pressures of the world. In the Free Methodist Way, we seek to align our lives fully with the unshakeable foundation of God’s Word.

Introducing the Passages: 

For this first Sunday after Christmas Day, Luke’s gospel beautifully connects the dots between Jesus and his forerunner, Samuel—both miraculous sons given back to God, whose true home is God’s house, and, most significantly, who uniquely hear and obey the revelatory voice of God. Colossians calls us from merely individualized piety to relational, corporate life as the bound-together Body of Christ, his word dwelling richly within and among us under the rule of his peace. In this word-indwelt community, and indeed with all of creation, as the psalmist commands, we are to bring praise and thanks to God!

Candle Lighting Litany: (Light all five candles while reading). 

As the Christ Candle, the 5^th and ultimate candle, centers our Advent wreath, so do we Free Methodists see Scripture, the God-given written word, centered on and bearing witness to Jesus the Living Word, Who is the fullest, most adequate revelation given by God of God. May we, like young Jesus and Samuel both, listen to the word of God obediently, and hear the voice of Jesus the Word calling us! May he dwell in us richly, that we, his Body, may together stand against cultural and societal pressure, laying down our individual rights for the sake of others, bearing with one another, forgiving each other, bound together in harmony with hearts ruled by the peace of Christ. With all of creation we give thanks and praise for the Word Who became flesh to dwell with us. Welcome, Emmanuel!

Download the Word Document below