____________________________________________________
 

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 126)

L: When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
P: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
L: The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
P: Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
L: Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

 

Call to Worship
by Rev. F. Schaefer

L: Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
P: For the Lord, our God is coming to us!
L: Tell the poor, gather the lowly.
P: For the Lord, our God is coming to us!
L: The trees of the fields and all nature are awaiting eagerly the redemption of the earth.
P: For the Lord, our God is coming to us!  
L: Let us praise the God of our salvation.  Let us hail God's Anointed One with shouts of joy.  Let us worship God!

 

Invocation

L: From the one who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty: grace, light, and peace be with you all.

P: And also with you.

L: Let us pray. Almighty God, you once called John the Baptist to give witness to the coming of your Son and to prepare his way. Grant us, your people, the wisdom to see your purpose today and the openness to hear your will, that we may witness to Christ's coming and so prepare his way; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

 

Prayer of Intercession

As the fulfillment of our hope draws near, let us raise our heads and lift our voices in prayer for the church, the world, and all according to their need.

God our salvation, fill the hearts of all the baptized with thanksgiving, that we may make known your mighty deeds and proclaim your exalted name with voices that never waver and hands that never grow tired. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Help us to repent of smugness, leaving behind the attitude that we are better than others by virtue of our religion, nationality, or social standing. Bring us instead to rely only on you, and to open ourselves to works of charity. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Guide the nations of the earth toward the fulfillment of your will, that all people may enjoy peace, justice, and daily bread. Put an end to the violence and warfare, and overcome the powers that advance evil in your creation. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Give your peace, which surpasses all understanding, to all those who suffer from illness of mind, body, or spirit (especially). Fill our hearts with compassion that we may be the hands and feet of Christ to all who long for healing. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Shape the mission and ministry of this parish, that bearing fruits worthy of repentance we may give clothing to those in need of it, food to the hungry, and hope to all who come searching for peace. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Gather all your saints as wheat into the granary, where we may join with all who have lived lives of faith knowing that the Lord is coming soon. O God, whose advent is near,

hear us and renew us with your love.

Hear our prayers, mighty God, as we rejoice in your reign already revealed, and long for the peace, justice, and love yet to dawn, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

 

Prayer based on all Lections
by Rev. F. Schaefer

God of Life and Joy, on this third day of Advent we celebrate your certain promise of our salvation.  We rejoice in St. Paul's message that you are near to us always and everywhere!  We are indeed drawing with joy from the well of your salvation.

Almighty God, help us to prepare our hearts for the One who came to save us, the one who is coming again, Jesus, the light of the world. Enlighten our prayers, our thoughts and our deeds with the light of the gospel so that we may grow the fruit of righteousness.

Open our ears to the call of the needy; empower us to share the joy of our salvation with all the world. O God, giver of unspeakable joy, bless the church of Christ that we may celebrate aright the incarnation of your love in the person of Jesus.

Enable us to truly celebrate the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

 

Lighting The Third Candle Of The Advent Wreath

General Introduction (repeated each week or not as desired) Our Advent Wreath reminds us of the approaching celebration of Jesus' birth
* the evergreen leaves remind us that God's love is everlasting
* the round wreath symbolizes God's eternal love
* the light of the candles stands for the light which Jesus brought into a dark world.
Each Sunday in Advent another of the candles in the circle is lit. The Christ candle is lit at midnight on Christmas Eve (or on Christmas Day if no Christmas Eve service).

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35:10

Responsive Reading for 3rd. Advent

L: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Joy
P: May the joyful promise of your presence, O God, make us rejoice in our hope of salvation.
L: May the Joy of Christ fill our hearts and minds
P: May the joy of our salvation spread to our neighbors and our communities until all the world chimes into our shouts of praise.

Hymn: "Joy to the World"

 

Advent Reading for Children

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: The wise men The promise of a king wove itself into the study of the stars and the pondering of the prophecies, as some intricate pattern in brocaded tapestry. Throughout the dreariness of life, royalty was heralded; in the darkness of the night, a star was encountered. The travel preparations were costly, but the gifts were even more valuable, and it seemed likely that they would be laid at the foot of a dazzling throne as instruments were played and servants offered lodging and legions of subjects bowed in obeisance.

But when the journey was fulfilled, the star's light on the straw was glowingly golden, and the breathing of the cattle in the stalls was a finely orchestrated hymn, and the tapestry was woven with the realization of prophecy patterned against the changing of direction, and it was all so much richer than anything ever had been before: rich in purpose and implication, rich in surprise and imagination, rich in love.

 

Closing Prayer:

Send, o God, into the darkness of this troubled world,
the light of your Son.
Let the star of your hope touch the minds of all people
with the bright beams of mercy and truth;
and so direct our steps that we may ever walk in the way revealed to us,
as the shepherds of Bethlehem walked with joy
to the manger where he dwelled,
who now and ever reigns in our hearts, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.