Third Sunday of Advent
PRELUDE: Benedictus by Alec Rowley
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
PRAYER
HYMN: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing [Mendelssohn]
PRAYER
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH: Prepare for the Light – Jesus, the Light of the World [Elderkin] by George D. Elderkin/arr. by Joel Raney
Quartet: End our darkness, end our night, Jesus, the light of the world. Bring to earth God’s heavenly light, Jesus, the light of the world.
Leader: Advent is a time to prepare.
Quartet & People: Prepare the Way of the Lord.
Leader: Advent is a time to prepare our eyes to see the light of Christ.
Quartet & People: Prepare the Way of the Lord.
Leader: Advent is a time to prepare our hearts to receive the Word of Christ.
Quartet & People: Prepare the Way of the Lord.
Leader: Advent is a time to prepare to share the joy of Christ.
Quartet & People: Prepare the Way of the Lord.
Leader: Advent is a time to embrace the promise of Christ.
Quartet & People: Prepare the Way of the Lord.
Candle Lighting
Quartet: Jesus, the light of the world.
Quartet & People together: We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright, O, shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world. We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, come where the dewdrops of mercy shine bright, O, shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus, the light of the world.
Quartet: Jesus, the light of the world. Light of the world.
Prayer
HYMN: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [Carol]
SCRIPTURE LESSON: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
SERMON: “Living a Faith Infused with God’s Peace”
ANTHEM: We Wait the Peaceful Kingdom by Michael Burkhardt
We wait the peaceful kingdom, when wolf and lamb shall lie in gentleness and friendship without a fear or sigh, when lion shall be grazing, when snake shall never strike; a little child shall lead us both strong and weak alike. Where is the peaceful kingdom? When will this new day start? We long for peace and comfort to reign within each heart. Yet not in our lives only, nor simply in our home: we pray that all creation will one day find shalom. When wars of desolation and hate come to an end, when nation meets with nation and calls the other “friend,” still peace in all its fullness will only have begun: shalom for all creation begins with justice done. That little child shall lead us to walk the chosen way, to share the peaceful kingdom, to greet God’s newborn day. The child born in a stable is sent to break our chains, to bring through word and table the day when justice reigns. Amen! [Kathleen R. Moore]
PRAYER: Come Now, O Prince of Peace [O-So-So], stanzas through the prayer
HYMN: Gentle Mary Laid Her Child [Tempus Adest Floridum]
BENEDICTION
BENEDICTION RESPONSE: Peace, Peace by Rick and Sylvia Powell/arr. Fred Bock
Peace, peace, peace on earth and good will to all. This is a time for joy, this is a time for love. Now let us all sing together of peace, peace, peace on earth. Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright, ‘Round yon Virgin Mother and Child! Holy Infant, so tender and mild; sleep in heavenly peace.
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