Third Sunday of Advent
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VII, Cycle B
First Lesson: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Theme: Repairing Ancient Ruins
Call To Worship (Isaiah 55:6-9)
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
CollectCollect
Lord, you perform awesome works today as you have in ages past. We witness the evidence of your love in our children who sit, who talk, who sing, who play in our midst. We are surrounded by the glory of your creation, from the biting wind that causes us to lean forward as we walk to the constant stars that shine from the cold winter sky. We see your Spirit at work in all the people who have roused themselves and arrived here this day despite the distractions of this world. This day as we gather to worship we praise you for your mighty works in the past, and in the shared destiny that awaits us. These things we pray as we anxiously wait the revealing of the season. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on Isaiah 61:1)Prayer Of Confession (based on Isaiah 61:1)
Lord, be merciful to we who are sinners. Anoint us to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, that we might bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. Amen.
HymnsHymns
Light One Candle To Watch For Messiah
Still, Still, Still
In The Bulb There Is A Flower
* * * * *
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Theme: It's Not Your Fire. Don't Quench It.
Call To Worship (built around 1 Thessalonians 5:23)Call To Worship (built around 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
People of God, allow yourselves to be sanctified by the God of peace, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
CollectCollect
Gracious God, we return to you this day. Interpret your word for us so we may see its application for our lives. Fill our hearts with resolve that we may rededicate ourselves to your holy time of Advent. Let this be a period of renewal and rejoicing over new opportunities, rather than grieving over lost possibilities. Lord, we are yours. Amen.
Prayer Of ConfessionPrayer Of Confession
Forgiving God who inspires the people, how often do we try to put out the fire of your Spirit when it springs up unannounced and inconvenient? Quiet that sense which fears change. We lift up our hearts to you. Amen.
HymnsHymns
Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Down In My Heart
Pass It On
All The World Is Sleeping (see page 238)
* * * * *
Gospel Lesson: John 1:6-9, 19-28
Theme: I Am Not The Messiah
Call To Worship (based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16)Call To Worship (based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16)
Rejoice always, and again I say, Rejoice!
Collect (based on Luke 1:47, 52-53)Collect (based on Luke 1:47, 52-53)
O magnify the Lord with me, for he has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. The Lord has done great things! Amen.
Prayer Of ConfessionPrayer Of Confession
Gracious Lord Jesus, all things point to you -- the season, the songs, and John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness to prepare a way for you. Yet my heart, my mind, and my will point to me. You are the Messiah. I may not be worthy to lace your sandal, but with your help I pledge to point others toward you, as you become the center of my life. Amen.
HymnsHymns
On Jordan's Stormy Banks
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
What Child Is This?
Theme: Repairing Ancient Ruins
Call To Worship (Isaiah 55:6-9)
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
CollectCollect
Lord, you perform awesome works today as you have in ages past. We witness the evidence of your love in our children who sit, who talk, who sing, who play in our midst. We are surrounded by the glory of your creation, from the biting wind that causes us to lean forward as we walk to the constant stars that shine from the cold winter sky. We see your Spirit at work in all the people who have roused themselves and arrived here this day despite the distractions of this world. This day as we gather to worship we praise you for your mighty works in the past, and in the shared destiny that awaits us. These things we pray as we anxiously wait the revealing of the season. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession (based on Isaiah 61:1)Prayer Of Confession (based on Isaiah 61:1)
Lord, be merciful to we who are sinners. Anoint us to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, that we might bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. Amen.
HymnsHymns
Light One Candle To Watch For Messiah
Still, Still, Still
In The Bulb There Is A Flower
* * * * *
Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Theme: It's Not Your Fire. Don't Quench It.
Call To Worship (built around 1 Thessalonians 5:23)Call To Worship (built around 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
People of God, allow yourselves to be sanctified by the God of peace, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
CollectCollect
Gracious God, we return to you this day. Interpret your word for us so we may see its application for our lives. Fill our hearts with resolve that we may rededicate ourselves to your holy time of Advent. Let this be a period of renewal and rejoicing over new opportunities, rather than grieving over lost possibilities. Lord, we are yours. Amen.
Prayer Of ConfessionPrayer Of Confession
Forgiving God who inspires the people, how often do we try to put out the fire of your Spirit when it springs up unannounced and inconvenient? Quiet that sense which fears change. We lift up our hearts to you. Amen.
HymnsHymns
Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Down In My Heart
Pass It On
All The World Is Sleeping (see page 238)
* * * * *
Gospel Lesson: John 1:6-9, 19-28
Theme: I Am Not The Messiah
Call To Worship (based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16)Call To Worship (based on 1 Thessalonians 5:16)
Rejoice always, and again I say, Rejoice!
Collect (based on Luke 1:47, 52-53)Collect (based on Luke 1:47, 52-53)
O magnify the Lord with me, for he has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. The Lord has done great things! Amen.
Prayer Of ConfessionPrayer Of Confession
Gracious Lord Jesus, all things point to you -- the season, the songs, and John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness to prepare a way for you. Yet my heart, my mind, and my will point to me. You are the Messiah. I may not be worthy to lace your sandal, but with your help I pledge to point others toward you, as you become the center of my life. Amen.
HymnsHymns
On Jordan's Stormy Banks
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
What Child Is This?
