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3rd Sunday of Advent December 13th, 2020
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Call to Worship
Even if we cannot gather in person
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if some Christmas traditions have had to go
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if we might not get to hug family and friends
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if we cannot sing carols beside each other
Emmanuel, God with us
Even if Christmas cheer is harder this year
Emmanuel, God with us
Opening Prayer
Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy
Responsive Reading Song of Mary VU 898
My soul proclaims God's greatness.
My spirit rejoices in God my saviour.
For you have looked with favour on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed.
You have done great things for me, O Most Mighty.
Hallowed be your Name!
You have mercy on those who fear you,
From one generation to another.
You took action with a strong arm.
You scattered the proud in their conceit.
You pulled the mighty from their thrones.
You raised the lowly.
You filled the hungry with good things.
You sent the rich away empty.
You come to the aid of your servant, Israel,
for you remembered your promise of mercy,
to our ancestors, Abraham and Sarah,
and to their children in every age.
Advent Candle Lighting
Sung Response #1 O come, O come Emmanuel v3
3 O come, O come, great God of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud, and majesty, and awe. R
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
Prayer
Hymn - 29 Hark the Glad Sound
1 Hark, the glad sound! The Saviour comes,
the Saviour promised long:
let every heart prepare a throne,
and every voice a song.
2 He comes, the prisoners to release
in Satan's bondage held;
the gates of brass before him burst,
the iron fetters yield.
3 He comes, the broken heart to bind,
the bleeding soul to cure,
and with the treasures of his grace
to bless the humble poor.
4 Our glad hosannas, Prince of Peace,
your welcome shall proclaim;
and heaven's eternal arches ring
with your beloved name.
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance
Community Corner
1st Reading: Isaiah 61. 1 - 4, 8 - 11 Barb Keyes
Responsive Reading Psalm 126 VU pp 850When God brought Zion's captives home,
it seemed to us like a dream.
But then our mouths were full of laughter,
and our tongues uttered shouts of joy.
Then they said among the nations:
'God has done great things for them.'
Truly God has done great things for us,
and therefore we rejoice.
Restore our fortunes, O God, as streams refresh the Negev.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed for sowing,
shall come home with songs of joy,
bringing in their sheaves.
2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5. 16 - 24 Barb
Gospel Reading: John 1. 6-8, 19-28
Hymn 79 Arise Your Light Has Come
1 Arise, your light is come!
The Spirit's call obey;
show forth the glory of your God,
which shines on you today.
2 Arise, your light is come!
Fling wide the prison door;
proclaim the captive's liberty,
good tidings to the poor.
3 Arise, your light is come!
All you in sorrow born,
bind up the broken-hearted ones
and comfort those who mourn.
4 Arise, your light is come!
The mountains burst in song!
Rise up like eagles on the wing;
God's power will make us strong.
Meditation
Creed - The United Church Creed
We are not alone,
we live in God´s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God´s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus,
crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death,
in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
Offertory, Prayer of Dedication
Prayers of Intercession
Hymn 48 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
1 Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!'
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with the angelic host proclaim,
'Christ is born in Bethlehem!'
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King!'
2 Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail, the incarnate deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel! R
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King!'
3 Hail, the heavenborn Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth. R
Hark! the herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn King!'
Benediction
3 verses of Hope is a Star
1 Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
2 Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth. R
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
3 Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that the Saviour is born. R
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
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