Sunday December 15, 2024 - Bulletin
Dec 15, 2024
Third Sunday of Advent
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH
PRAYER OF APPROACH
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP ( from Canticle Isaiah )
One: Surely God is my salvation;
All: I will trust, and will not be afraid,
One: for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might;
All: He has become my salvation.
One: With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
All: Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;
One: Let this be known in all the earth.
All: Shout aloud and sing for joy! Let us worship the LORD!
*HYMN # 464 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
CALL TO CONFESSION
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, whose wisdom is endless, whose mercy is great. Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (UNISON)
Heavenly Father, you have given us such enormous bounty through the breath of life, the wonders of the universe, the laughter of a child. Forgive us when we reduce our lives to worry and fear about fitting in with the expectations of society - when all the while you offer us a deep peace and a deep joy, no matter what our circumstances are in this world. Help us come to really understand what is so amazingly good about the Good News! Help our hearts to burst with anticipation of your return. May our lives be overflowing with an understanding of your abundant and everlasting love such that we cannot contain it within our own lives and cannot help sharing the joy and peace of knowing you through your Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
One: Now that we have confessed as a body, let us take the truths that have troubled our hearts to God silently. Let us not be worried about the awkwardness of silence, as we take some time to focus on speaking with our God.
SILENT REFLECTION
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
GLORIA PATRI # 579
PASSING OF THE PEACE
One: Since God has forgiven us in Christ,
let us forgive one another.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
One: Let us share signs of peace with one another.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Zephaniah 3:14-20
MUSICAL OFFERING
EPISTLE READING Philippians 4:4-7
GOSPEL LESSON Luke 3:7-18
SERMON “Peace Beyond All Understanding” Rev. Kirsty H. Dickson-Maret
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
*HYMN # 13 “Prepare the Way”
JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER
CALL FOR THE OFFERING
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it. Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth. Let us offer them with joy in our hearts and a deep sense of gratitude.
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (UNISON)
Gracious God, you have told us not to be anxious about anything, but by prayer and supplication to let our requests be known to you, with gratitude. As we offer our gifts of time, talent and treasure today, help us use them to spread the truth that there is indeed a peace of God, which surpasses all understanding. A peace which will guard the hearts and minds of all who come to know your Son, our LORD and savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
*HYMN # 8 “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”
CHARGE
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE