Good Morning People of God,
Today, we are in our holy sanctuary, all decked out for the glorious season of Advent. We ask the question, why do we decorate for Christmas when we aren’t in our church? The prophet Isaiah and John the Baptist today remind us that the Light is coming, and we are people of the Light. I look forward to worshiping with all of you again soon.
December 13th, 2020
Third Sunday in Advent
Prelude:
Announcements:
Greetings of Grace and Peace:
Call to Worship:
We come to worship Christ
Who proclaims good news to the poor, binds up the broken-hearted, frees the prisoner and comforts those who mourn.
We come to worship Christ
Who bestows a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy Instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
We come to worship Christ
Who rebuilds ancient ruins and restores broken places.
Opening Prayer:
God of hope, who brought love into this world, be the love that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought peace into this world, be the peace that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought joy into this world, be the joy that dwells between us. God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be the center, the focus of our lives always, and particularly this Advent time. Amen
Songs of Praise:
Prayer of Confession:
Why do you bother, Jesus, when we are so certain that we can create life for ourselves? When we try to pretend that we aren’t frightened of those different from us, that we aren’t driven by our insecurities and greed, that we aren’t overwhelmed by life and its challenges? Why do you still come to us? Why do you send us your messengers? Why do you invite us into the water to be refreshed, washed, changed? Why do you embrace stables and crosses to offer yourself as Shepherd to the lost sheep we are? Somehow, it seems, in ways that we may never understand you really are a God of infinite grace; Somehow, your judgment and your grace are not opposites, but expressions of the same surprising reality, That you always seek to save, to restore, to renew; that your forgiveness and your commandments together offer us a way to be fully alive. Thank you. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 40: 1 – 11
Gospel Reading: John 1:6-8, 19-28
Call to Offering:
Doxology:
Message: Testify to the Light
Lighting of the Advent Candle:
Pastoral Prayer:
Closing Song:
Dismissal with Blessing:
