Bulletin – Sunday, December 15, 2024

Sunday, December 15, 2024
Third Sunday of Advent

We Gather as People of Faith

Welcome

Announcements

Call to Worship

One:   We gather on the third Sunday of Advent.
All:      We gather as companions of the Christ whose birth we remember…

One:   We gather as companions of the Christ whose birth we await…
All:      We gather as people of joy.

Hymn – “Holy Child Within the Manger”

Holy Child within the manger, long ago, yet ever near,
Come as friend to ev’ry stranger, come as hope for ev’ry fear.
As you lived to heal the broken, greet the outcast, free the bound.
As you taught us love unspoken, teach us now where you are found.

Once again we tell the story—how your love for us was shown,
When the image of your glory wore an image like our own.
Come, enlighten with your wisdom, come and fill us with your grace,
May the fire of your compassion kindle ev’ry land and race.

Holy Child within the manger, lead us ever in your way,
So we see in ev’ry stranger how you come to us today.
In our lives and in our living give us strength to live as you,
That our hearts might be forgiving and our spirits strong and true.

Lighting the Advent Candles

One:   Today is the third Sunday in the season of Advent. On the first. Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of hope. On the second Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of peace. We light both candles, remembering that the lights of hope and peace shine for us in the darkness.

(The first and second candles are lit)

One:   On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of joy.

(The third candle is lit)

One:   May the joy of Christ be with us.
All:      May all people know the joy of Christ.

One:   May all creation know the joy of Christ.
All:      This Advent we prepare for the birth of Jesus, source of light.

One:   Jesus, who declares joy to the world…
All:      Jesus the Christ, God’s gift of joy for the world.

Sung Response – “Light a Candle”

Light a candle for joy in the darkness,
In each trial, we know you are near;
Advent watching and waiting for Jesus,
God with us, is wiping our tears,
Emmanuel, joy is here;
Joy is here!

Prayer of Approach and Confession

God, so often we experience the world as a place of violence, despair and pain. So often we allow the violence, despair and pain to bind and imprison us. God, today let the light of joy shine again, not only in this sanctuary, but in our hearts. Birth joy in our hearts, let joy bless our living and let joy be a gift we share with others. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Sung Response – “Come, Come Emmanuel” (MV #11)

Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.
Come, come Emmanuel. Come, Emmanuel.

A Story for All

We Hear God’s Word

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Sung Response – “Rejoice in the Lord” (VU #249)

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!
Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice!
Rejoice, rejoice, and again I say rejoice!

Scripture Reading: Luke 3:7-18

⁷ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. ⁹ Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

¹⁰ And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?” ¹¹ In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” ¹² Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” ¹³ He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” ¹⁴ Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

¹⁵ As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, ¹⁶ John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

¹⁸ So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people.

May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!

Hymn – “Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice”

Wild and lone the prophet’s voice echoes through the desert, still,
Calling us to make a choice, bidding us to do God’s will:
“Turn from sin and be baptized; cleanse your heart and mind and soul.
Quitting all the sins you prized, yield your life to God’s control.”

“Bear the fruit repentance sows: lives of justice, truth, and love.
Trust no other claim than those; set your heart on things above.
Soon the Lord will come in power, burning clean the threshing floor.
Then will flames the chaff devour, wheat along shall fill God’s store.”

When such preaching stark and bold, John proclaimed salvation near,
And his timeless warning hold words of hope to all who hear.
So we dare to journey on, led by faith through ways untrod,
Till we come at last like John, to behold the Lamb of God.

Meditation

Anthem – “Light of Peace”

Light of peace, calm our despair.
Light of hope, lift us up when we fall.
Light of joy, brighten our days,
Light of love, teach us your ways.

Light of life, Maker of day,
Gather our shadows and cast them away.
Beacon of truth gleaming and bright,
Shine in our hearts, shatter our night.

Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.

Light of life, Maker of day,
Gather our shadows and cast them away.
Beacon of truth gleaming and bright,
Shine in our hearts, shatter our night.
Shine in our hearts, shatter our night.

We Respond to God’s Word

Invitation to Share

Offering Response – “In this Advent Time of Waiting”

In this Advent time of waiting may we serve the Prince of Peace.
Share our gifts with those around us, joy and hope in all increase.
Dream the vision, tell the story, healing bring to those in need.
Share the promises once more, Christ is near, who came before.

Offering Prayer

Prayers for the People

The Prayer that Jesus Taught

Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

We Go Into God’s World

Hymn – “In the Desert”

When the king shall come again, all his power revealing,
Splendour shall announce his reign, life and joy and healing;
Earth no longer in decay, hope no more frustrated;
This is God’s redemption day longingly awaited.

In the desert trees take root, fresh from God’s creation,
Plants and flowers and sweetest fruit join the celebration;
Rivers spring up from the earth, barren lands adorning;
Valleys, this is your new birth; mountains, greet the morning.

Strengthen feeble hands and knees; fainting hearts, be cheerful!
God, who comes for such as these, seeks and saves the fearful;
Deaf ears, heart—the silent tongues sing away their weeping,
Blind eyes, see the lifeless ones, walking, running, leaping.

There God’s highway shall be seen where no roaring lion,
Nothing evil or unclean walks the road to Zion;
Ransomed people homeward bound, all your praises voicing,
See your Lord with glory crowned, share in his rejoicing.

Commissioning and Benediction

Response – “May the God of Hope”

May the God of hope go with us every day,
Filling all our lives with love and joy and peace.
May the God of justice speed us on our way,
Bringing light and hope to every land and race.
Praying, let us work for peace,
Singing, share our joy with all,
Working for a world that’s new,
Faithful when we hear Christ’s call.