December 12, 2021                                                                        Third Sunday of Advent

Welcome

Prelude                                              “Prepare the Way, O Zion”                               arr. Robert Lau
 
Call to Worship                                                                                                                         Alta Hall
  Sing praises to the Lord, who has done marvelous things.
    Let it be known in all the earth.
  Shout aloud and sing for joy,
    For in our midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Hymn                                               “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”                                              #203

Lighting the Advent Candle*                                                        Beth, Bob, Clyde and Ren Crizer
   
Response                                     “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”                              #211 verse 3

First Lesson                                                 Isaiah 12:2-6                                                Jora Landis

Second Lesson                                          Philippians 4:4-7

Gospel                                                        Luke 3:7-18
                      L: The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ   P: Praise to you, Lord Christ

Message                                              “Waiting with Joy"                              Pastor Gilbert Stones

Hymn                                                ”Rejoice, the Lord Is King”                                                  #715

Pastoral Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer    Mike and Kathy Lindsay and Sharon Payne Bolton
    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
    your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
    Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who
    sin against us.
    Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
    For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever.
    Amen.

Offering    [Click here to go to online giving]      

          

                   [Click here to request an Estimate of Giving card]

Offertory                                              “What Sweeter Music”                                        John Rutter

Prayer of Dedication
 
Hymn                                         “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice”                                           #224

Benediction
    
Song of Blessing:                                   “Shalom to You”   

Passing the Peace of Christ with phone calls, texts, emails, cards and prayers

                                                                        + + + + + + +

Thanks to everyone who made today’s service possible

Barbara Hoff - Organ and Piano
Jora Landis, Cheryl Dove, Rich Bolin, Gilbert Stones - Vocals
Jora Landis - Reader
Alta Hall and  - Liturgy
Rich Bolin - Music Coordinator
Rich Bolin, Kasey P. Lindsay, Mary Anne Meyer, Gilbert Stones - Primary Videography
Kasey P. Lindsay - Video Editing


*Advent Candle Lighting


Opening Prayer:
Creator, we give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit
within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the center of this sacred
circle through which all creation is related. You show us the way to live a
generous and compassionate life. Give us your strength to live together with
respect and commitment as we grow in your spirit, for you are God, now and
forever. Amen.


Lighting the Advent Candle (west) - Rejoice


“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good
news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and
recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of
the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19


We light this candle in the western direction, the direction of the setting sun and
symbolizing autumn, the time of the harvest. We light this candle thankful that
Christ brought good tidings, the promise of new life—the blind receiving sight, the
lame walking and the prisoner set free. We light this candle, thankful for our
adult responsibilities, for seeing how we may help to make the world a better
place for our children and grandchildren. We rejoice that Christ has set us free!


Prayer:
Creator, strengthen our weak hands that we may find your holy way, the way of
the redeemed where joy and gladness live. May we understand our own gifts and
bring teachings for the good of our communities and for the world. May we do
the work that Jesus has given us to do with purpose and joy. Amen


Click here to learn about this liturgy

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Children's Time

Today we continue our Advent journey and our exploration of candles and the light they bring.

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