Service Order
Movement I – God is God
Call to Worship, from the Book of Common Prayer (ACNA, 2019)
Collect for the Third Sunday in Advent
O Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Grant that the ministers and stewards of your mysteries may likewise make ready your way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient toward the wisdom of the just, that at your second coming to judge the world, we may be found a people acceptable in your sight; for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Congregational Singing
Be Unto Your Name by Gary Sadler and Lynn DeShazo [Apple Music] [Spotify]
Movement II – We Need Him
Confession (congregational response in bold)
God is the source of true joy.
Today, we light the candle of joy to remember that joy was brought into the world through the person of Jesus.
Even amidst the sadness of our world, we look to Christ be our joy.
We join the psalmist in praying:
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Congregational Singing
Lord, I Need You by Daniel Carson, Matt Maher, Christy Nockels, & Jesse Reeves [Apple Music] [Spotify]
Movement III – God Gave Us Himself in Jesus
Absolution – Hebrews 12:1-2
Congregational Singing
Joy to the World by George Frederic Handel & Isaac Watts
Jesus Paid it All by Samuel W. Beazley & M. S. Schaffer
Pastoral Greeting
Passing the Peace
Reading of the Word
Luke 1:5-17
Sermon
John the Baptist
by Andy Wileman
Movement IV – We Respond in Faith
Communion
This is the Christ by Martin Luther, Sandra McCracken, Arthur Tozer Russell, and Catherine Winkworth [Apple Music] [Spotify]
Congregational Singing
Angels From the Realms of Glory by Henry Thomas Smart & James Montgomery
Benediction