Order of Worship
December 15th, 2024 (Candle of Joy)
10:00 AM
(The Third Sunday of Advent, Year C)
Prelude: “Royal Oak” Michael Helman. ”Of the Father’s Love Begotten” Daniel Gawthrop
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
MISSION STATEMENT: (Let us say our Mission Statement together)
To welcome and inspire All through faith, love, and fellowship according to Christ’s example.
Introit: “One Candle Is Lit” Mary Anne Parrott/Wm. Kirkpatrick
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
Leader: Rejoice in God always, and again I say Rejoice!
People: Our joy is in our Creator who blesses us.
Leader: Shout for joy, for God is near!
People: Our praises ascend to God for the mighty things God has done.
Leader: Let your praise dance and swirl in tribute to God!
People: Surely God blesses and saves us. Hallelujah! Praise be to God. AMEN.
Lighting the Advent Candle of Joy
God of Light, we rejoice in your compassion for us. You send us your light and healing hope, peace, and joy so we may share your light with others. Let our light shine brighter in a world that cries out for hope, peace, and joy in our world and hearts. Be with us this morning as we gather to hear your word for us. AMEN.
Candle Lighting Hymn: “One Candle is Lit” #128 (verse #3)
Reader 1: Today, we light three candles. The first is the candle of hope, which reminds us to watch and wait for what God brings. [Light the first candle]
Reader 2: The second candle is the candle of Peace. Let us look at our lives, get rid of all those things that keep us from God, and live as God would have us live in Peace. [The second candle is lighted]
Reader 1: Today, we joyfully light the third candle of the Advent. We light this candle of Joy because God loves and cares for us. We light it because God came to live among us. We light the candle of Christmas Joy.
*GATHERING HYMN: “Rejoice, You Pure in Heart” #15
PRAYER OF INVOCATION: Rejoice! You who once lived in darkness – a new light is shining, and the light of God’s glory shall brighten your path. You are healed, loved, and forgiven. Be at peace! Live in God’s love and bring hope and justice to all God’s people. AMEN.
Let us pray as Christ taught us to pray. 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
STATEMENT OF FAITH: (Unison) We believe in God, known to us in three persons: Creator of all, resurrected Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who guides and brings about the creative and redemptive work of God’s love in the world.
We believe that each person is unique and valuable.
We believe that we are called to welcome each person who is on a
spiritual journey, no matter who they are or where they are on that
journey.
We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic
relationship with God, one that engenders love, strengthens faith,
dissolves guilt and gives life purpose and direction.
We believe we are a people of possibility.
We believe we have the breathing room to explore and to hear our call. We believe that God is still speaking…
*SERMON HYMN: “Come, You Disconsolate” # 502
WORD OF GOD: Luke 3: 7-13
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.
The Sermon Title: “We Cannot Buy It.” Rev. Norman Michaud
JOYS AND CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE: (Please share by phone, text, or email at [email protected] or 603-812-1161 before the service if you like.)
CALL TO PRAYER:
Pastor: May God be with you.
People: And also with you.
Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer:
Choral Response: “Into My Heart” Harry Clarke
CALL TO GIVING: God has richly poured gifts of hope, peace, and joy into our lives; let us receive the morning’s offering as tokens of our gratitude for all these blessings. AMEN.
Offertory Music for Inspiration: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” Craig Curry
*Doxology (Tune: Old Hundredth)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ the Word in flesh born low;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication: (Unison): Loving Creator, you have blessed our lives in many ways. Receive these tokens of our blessings and cause them to work in this world. May our light remind us of your Hope, Peace, and Joy push back the dark corners of our lives and the lives of others. We offer these gifts in Jesus’ name. AMEN.
*HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” # 119
Benediction: Hear the sounds of Joy and celebrate the coming of Christ’s light and joy in our world. We have heard God’s words of healing love and are challenged to go forth into God’s world with the good news of God’s presence with us. Go in peace, and may God’s Joy be in our hearts and lives. AMEN.
Postlude: “Come, Thou-Expected Jesus” Wilbur Held