December 11, 2022 - Third Sunday of Advent
Introit: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
JEFFERSON/Organ
Jill Cathey, oboe
While We Are Waiting, Come
Cloninger/Cason
While we are waiting, come; while we are waiting, come.
Jesus, our Lord, Emmanuel, while we are waiting, come.
Advent Candle Lighting
[Isaiah 2:4, 11:6, 35:1]
Mandy and Marty Boyl-Davis
We light these candles with joy, peace and hope, as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
Advent means coming. We are preparing ourselves for the days
when nations shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion
and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the rose it shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
(repeat While We Are Waiting, Come)
Call to Worship
[Isaiah 35]
Say to those of fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God.”
They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the speechless sing for joy.
Let us worship the LORD!
Comfort, Comfort You My People (Hymn 3)
Olearius/Genevan Psalter
Comfort, comfort you my people, tell of peace, thus says our God;
Comfort those who sit in darkness bowed beneath oppression’s load.
Speak you to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them;
Tell them that their sins I cover, and their warfare now is over.
For the herald’s voice is calling in the desert far and near,
Bidding us to make repentance since the kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise in meeting and the hills bow down in greeting.
Make you straight what long was crooked, make the rougher places plain;
Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits God’s holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord now o’er earth is shed abroad;
And all flesh shall see the token that God’s word is never broken.
Confession
God of recovery, in the darkness and wilderness of Advent, a way begins to appear. We see your light when desolate places begin to grow and bloom and when people are healed and encouraged. Forgive us when we fail to see your kingdom unfolding. Forgive us when we see signs of your work but hold onto our doubts. Lead us into redemption, and help us open our hearts to joy. Amen.
Silence
Come Now, O Prince of Peace
Geonyong Lee
Come now, O Prince of peace, make us one body.
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
Come now and set us free, O God, our Savior,
Come, O Lord Jesus; reconcile all people.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Children’s Message
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Hymn 9)
Latin, c. 12th century/adapt. Helmore
O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, 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! Emmanuel shall come to thee, 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! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Jill Cathey
Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-10
New Testament: Matthew 11:2-11
Sermon: The Lights of Christmas
Focus: The signs of Christmas are the signs of healing, forgiveness, and joy; and the redemption of human life and nature. Jesus the Messiah came to bring light into all darkness.
Response: How Beautiful Are the Feet of Them
Handel
Lisa Phillips
Pastoral Prayer & 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.
Call to Stewardship
Mila Russell
He has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
-Luke 1:48a
Offering Our Gifts: Comfort, Comfort You My People
Genevan Psalter, 1551, arr. Callahan
Doxology
Smart/Salisbury Hymn Book
All creation, join in praising God the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One:
One in might and One in glory while unending ages run.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: In Dulci Jubilo
14th cent. German folk tune/arr. Martin
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