Here Is Your God
Worship
LECTIONARY WORSHIP AIDS
Series VII, Cycle A
Call To Worship (Isaiah 35:3-4)
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God."
Collect
God of history, your holy highway beckons. With your help we shall take first steps upon that path towards your glory. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on Isaiah 35:5-6)
Forgiving God, we know the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; that the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. We have your promise that waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. Only our own obstinacy could make us fail to see your well marked path to glory. Burst into our lives so that even we cannot go astray. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Hymns
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"
"Christ Is Coming! Let Creation From Its Groans And Travail Cease"
"Oh, Have You Not Heard?"
Third Sunday Of Advent
Second Lesson: James 5:7-10
Theme: The Example Of The Prophets
Call To Worship (James 5:7-8)
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
Collect
The signs are all around us - those we can see, from the trappings of the season to the wrapping of the gifts - and those we cannot see, from the new life in Christ demonstrated from those we least expect to the gifts of your Spirit which strengthen us in the midst of tribulation. Refresh our hearts in you, Lord, as we witness that you are near to all of us. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on James 5:9)
Judge of all, seen and unseen, we have the example of your prophets before us. With patience and strength that we hope to draw from our worship this morning we will face the trials set in our path without grumbling or judgmental words and deeds. You are standing at the door. May we find mercy and pardon from you this day. Amen.
Hymns
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
"Faith Of Our Fathers"
"Now Thank We All Our God"
Third Sunday Of Advent
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 11:2-11
Theme: Passing The Torch
Call To Worship (Malachi 3:1)
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
Collect
Lord, we recall that when John the Baptist was taken from your people a greater prophet emerged. Despite that example we struggle when the new replaces the old. But you are making all things new, and as we approach the feast of the Nativity we pray for open hearts and minds so our spirits may be renewed! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, what do we come out to see when we gather in your name? Is it what your people drove to church, or if they walked? Is it what they wear, or what they cannot afford? A reed shaken by the wind? A prophet? Yes, Lord, you have put prophets in our midst, and we confess our unwillingness to hear your word in our youngest folks, in our oldest, in our poorest, in our gaudiest, in our clearest, in our confusion. Speak to us! Save us, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Hymns
"Holy, Holy, Holy"
"Hark! The Glad Sound!"
"O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing!"
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God."
Collect
God of history, your holy highway beckons. With your help we shall take first steps upon that path towards your glory. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on Isaiah 35:5-6)
Forgiving God, we know the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; that the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. We have your promise that waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. Only our own obstinacy could make us fail to see your well marked path to glory. Burst into our lives so that even we cannot go astray. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Hymns
"Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus"
"Christ Is Coming! Let Creation From Its Groans And Travail Cease"
"Oh, Have You Not Heard?"
Third Sunday Of Advent
Second Lesson: James 5:7-10
Theme: The Example Of The Prophets
Call To Worship (James 5:7-8)
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
Collect
The signs are all around us - those we can see, from the trappings of the season to the wrapping of the gifts - and those we cannot see, from the new life in Christ demonstrated from those we least expect to the gifts of your Spirit which strengthen us in the midst of tribulation. Refresh our hearts in you, Lord, as we witness that you are near to all of us. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on James 5:9)
Judge of all, seen and unseen, we have the example of your prophets before us. With patience and strength that we hope to draw from our worship this morning we will face the trials set in our path without grumbling or judgmental words and deeds. You are standing at the door. May we find mercy and pardon from you this day. Amen.
Hymns
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
"Faith Of Our Fathers"
"Now Thank We All Our God"
Third Sunday Of Advent
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 11:2-11
Theme: Passing The Torch
Call To Worship (Malachi 3:1)
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight - indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.
Collect
Lord, we recall that when John the Baptist was taken from your people a greater prophet emerged. Despite that example we struggle when the new replaces the old. But you are making all things new, and as we approach the feast of the Nativity we pray for open hearts and minds so our spirits may be renewed! Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord, what do we come out to see when we gather in your name? Is it what your people drove to church, or if they walked? Is it what they wear, or what they cannot afford? A reed shaken by the wind? A prophet? Yes, Lord, you have put prophets in our midst, and we confess our unwillingness to hear your word in our youngest folks, in our oldest, in our poorest, in our gaudiest, in our clearest, in our confusion. Speak to us! Save us, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Hymns
"Holy, Holy, Holy"
"Hark! The Glad Sound!"
"O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing!"
