ORDER OF WORSHIP
3rd Sunday of Advent
December 11, 2022
PRELUDE ‘Pastorale’ Gilbert Martin
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Into the dry and desolate places of our lives, God brings salvation.
The desert rejoices and blossoms, the wilderness teems with life.
Sorrow and sighing will flee:
let us come into God’s presence with singing!
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING (Chad B & Skip W)
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
The world says, “Worry,” and we say, “Rejoice.”
The news says, “Fear,” and we say, “Rejoice.”
The world says, “Be happy,” and the church says, “Be faithful.”
As we light our third Advent candle,
We pray for hope, peace, and joy.
Come now, O child of Mary.
Come now, O Prince of Joy.
(3 candles are lit)
*HYMN #106 (Red) ‘Prepare the Way, O Zion’
Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
He brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding, for grace and joy abounding.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Savior’s rule embrace,
and tidings of salvation proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing, their adoration voicing.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks for the hope and longing you instill in us through the promise of our baptism, a voice crying out in the wilderness, a messenger to prepare the way, the day of redemption drawing near. By the power of your Holy Spirit, poured out upon us in baptism, keep us awake and make us ready for the coming of your glorious realm of righteousness, justice, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
The life of faith is not only about being faithful to God. It is knowing that God is faithful to us. Trusting that God will never turn away from us, let us tell the truth about our lives.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Magnificent God, it is easy to rejoice at the wilderness bursting into bloom and the hungry being filled with good things. We may not want the powerful to be brought down or the rich to be sent away empty. We know that sometimes, we are the powerful. Sometimes, we are the rich. Sometimes we are the ones with privilege, ignoring and harming those you would lift up. Forgive us, humble us, and refocus us, that we may follow your way of life and truth.
(silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
There is nothing and no one that is too far gone for God to redeem.
There is no land too parched that God cannot make streams of living water flow.
Beloved, we are forgiven!
Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (refrain from ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’)
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Holy God, our hope and strength, by the power of your Spirit prepare the way in our hearts for the coming of your Word, so that we may see the glorious signs of your promise fulfilled; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 35:1–10
1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and shouting.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be opened;
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp;
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Matthew 11:2–11
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
James 5:7–12
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Brothers and sisters, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Indeed, we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about, for the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12 Above all, brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
SERMON “Patience - a message to the child in all of us” Elizabeth Fox, CRE
*HYMN #101 (Red) ‘No Wind at the Window’
No wind at the window, no knock on the door;
No light from the lampstand, no foot on the floor;
No dream born of tiredness, no ghost raised by fear:
Just an angel and a woman and a voice in her ear.
“O Mary, O Mary, don’t hide from my face,
Be glad that you’re favored and filled with God’s grace.
The time for redeeming the world has begun,
And you are requested to mother God’s Son.”
“This child must be born that the kingdom might come:
Salvation for many, destruction for some;
Both end and beginning, both message and sign;
Both victor and victim, both yours and divine.
No payment was promised, no promises made;
No wedding was dated, no blueprint displayed.
Yet Mary, consenting to what none could guess,
Replied with conviction, “Tell God I say, Yes.”
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus. His faith and obedience were the response of the perfect child of God. He was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel, the beginning of the new creation, and the pioneer of the new humanity. He gave history its meaning and direction and called the church to be his servant for the reconciliation of the world.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19
INVITATION TO OFFERING
All things in heaven and earth belong to God, who is coming in glory to reveal a new creation. Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Eternal God, as we wait for the fulfillment of your reign, use these gifts and the gifts of our lives to bring justice to those who are oppressed, to set free those who are in prison, to lift up those who are bowed down, and to uphold those who are vulnerable. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
-Paige F
-Marge V
-Nelda H (recovery at the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Nadia (Mike & Judy’s granddaughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew-for continued strength)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Bob B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Dorothy W, Alan & Sue Y, David & Lucy B
Those who mourn: We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
*HYMN #88 (Red ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’
O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, thou Root of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save and give them victory o'er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
BENEDICTION/SENDING
May the God of peace make you holy and the power of the Spirit sustain you
until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Amen.
Isaiah 40:3; Mark 1:3
ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE ‘O Blessed Emmanuel’ Bach/Thompson
3rd Sunday of Advent
December 11, 2022
PRELUDE ‘Pastorale’ Gilbert Martin
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
Into the dry and desolate places of our lives, God brings salvation.
The desert rejoices and blossoms, the wilderness teems with life.
Sorrow and sighing will flee:
let us come into God’s presence with singing!
ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTING (Chad B & Skip W)
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
The world says, “Worry,” and we say, “Rejoice.”
The news says, “Fear,” and we say, “Rejoice.”
The world says, “Be happy,” and the church says, “Be faithful.”
As we light our third Advent candle,
We pray for hope, peace, and joy.
Come now, O child of Mary.
Come now, O Prince of Joy.
(3 candles are lit)
*HYMN #106 (Red) ‘Prepare the Way, O Zion’
Prepare the way, O Zion, your Christ is drawing near!
Let every hill and valley a level way appear.
Greet One who comes in glory, foretold in sacred story.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
He brings God’s rule, O Zion; he comes from heaven above.
His rule is peace and freedom, and justice, truth, and love.
Lift high your praise resounding, for grace and joy abounding.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
Fling wide your gates, O Zion; your Savior’s rule embrace,
and tidings of salvation proclaim in every place.
All lands will bow rejoicing, their adoration voicing.
O blest is Christ who came in God’s most holy name.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks for the hope and longing you instill in us through the promise of our baptism, a voice crying out in the wilderness, a messenger to prepare the way, the day of redemption drawing near. By the power of your Holy Spirit, poured out upon us in baptism, keep us awake and make us ready for the coming of your glorious realm of righteousness, justice, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
The life of faith is not only about being faithful to God. It is knowing that God is faithful to us. Trusting that God will never turn away from us, let us tell the truth about our lives.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Magnificent God, it is easy to rejoice at the wilderness bursting into bloom and the hungry being filled with good things. We may not want the powerful to be brought down or the rich to be sent away empty. We know that sometimes, we are the powerful. Sometimes, we are the rich. Sometimes we are the ones with privilege, ignoring and harming those you would lift up. Forgive us, humble us, and refocus us, that we may follow your way of life and truth.
(silent reflection)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
There is nothing and no one that is too far gone for God to redeem.
There is no land too parched that God cannot make streams of living water flow.
Beloved, we are forgiven!
Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
*GLORIA IN EXCELSIS (refrain from ‘Angels We Have Heard on High’)
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Holy God, our hope and strength, by the power of your Spirit prepare the way in our hearts for the coming of your Word, so that we may see the glorious signs of your promise fulfilled; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Isaiah 35:1–10
1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly
and rejoice with joy and shouting.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,
the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord,
the majesty of our God.
3 Strengthen the weak hands
and make firm the feeble knees.
4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be opened;
6 then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness
and streams in the desert;
7 the burning sand shall become a pool
and the thirsty ground springs of water;
the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp;
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.
8 A highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Holy Way;
the unclean shall not travel on it,
but it shall be for God’s people;
no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Matthew 11:2–11
2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written,
‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.’
11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
James 5:7–12
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Brothers and sisters, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Indeed, we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about, for the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12 Above all, brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
SERMON “Patience - a message to the child in all of us” Elizabeth Fox, CRE
*HYMN #101 (Red) ‘No Wind at the Window’
No wind at the window, no knock on the door;
No light from the lampstand, no foot on the floor;
No dream born of tiredness, no ghost raised by fear:
Just an angel and a woman and a voice in her ear.
“O Mary, O Mary, don’t hide from my face,
Be glad that you’re favored and filled with God’s grace.
The time for redeeming the world has begun,
And you are requested to mother God’s Son.”
“This child must be born that the kingdom might come:
Salvation for many, destruction for some;
Both end and beginning, both message and sign;
Both victor and victim, both yours and divine.
No payment was promised, no promises made;
No wedding was dated, no blueprint displayed.
Yet Mary, consenting to what none could guess,
Replied with conviction, “Tell God I say, Yes.”
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus. His faith and obedience were the response of the perfect child of God. He was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel, the beginning of the new creation, and the pioneer of the new humanity. He gave history its meaning and direction and called the church to be his servant for the reconciliation of the world.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19
INVITATION TO OFFERING
All things in heaven and earth belong to God, who is coming in glory to reveal a new creation. Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Eternal God, as we wait for the fulfillment of your reign, use these gifts and the gifts of our lives to bring justice to those who are oppressed, to set free those who are in prison, to lift up those who are bowed down, and to uphold those who are vulnerable. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
-Paige F
-Marge V
-Nelda H (recovery at the Neighborhoods)
-Betty G
-Carol G (recovery)
-Bob J and Jan as caregiver
-Bob O
-Andrew & Beth L
-Laura (Linda’s niece)
-Gwen B (Lee P’s friend)
-Patty (friend of Michele)
-Harry (Bonnie S’s father)
-Darwin L (Jeanne’s husband) and Jeanne as caregiver
-Nadia (Mike & Judy’s granddaughter)
-Gwen M (friend of Elizabeth)
-Rocky (Judy & Mike’s nephew-for continued strength)
Our homebound or in care members: Bob J, Bob B, Delores K, Rose P, Cliff R, Art & Marge V, Dee W (Please reach out and call)
This Week’s Prayer Families: Dorothy W, Alan & Sue Y, David & Lucy B
Those who mourn: We pray for the Kemp, Peterson, Goodale, McCann, Webster, & Salonen families and all who have lost loved ones.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
*HYMN #88 (Red ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’
O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show; and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, O come, thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times didst give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, thou Root of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save and give them victory o'er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high, and close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
O come, Desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind;
bid envy, strife, and discord cease; fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
BENEDICTION/SENDING
May the God of peace make you holy and the power of the Spirit sustain you
until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Alleluia!
1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Amen.
Isaiah 40:3; Mark 1:3
ANNOUNCEMENTS
POSTLUDE ‘O Blessed Emmanuel’ Bach/Thompson