Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
December 13, 2020
Advent 3B
Call to Worship (from Isaiah 61)
One: (ring a bell to call people’s attention) Ring out good news!
Many: Good news to share with the oppressed and brokenhearted!
One: We’re God’s people, gathered to proclaim liberty and release.
Many: Together, we speak comfort to all who mourn,
One: for we’re covenant partners with Almighty God.
Many: God is blessing us here and now;
let us worship the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of life!
Opening Prayer
God, we stand before you, filled with gratitude for the ways you bless us. When we mourn, you provide those who supply the oil of gladness.
When our spirits are faint,
your anointed servants work so we might claim the mantle of praise.
When we suffer from pandemic fear and loneliness, you assure us of your covenant love. We exult in YOU, and know we are blessed, even as we wait for the Promised One to be born in us and in your world. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
In many congregations, this third Sunday of Advent is celebrated as JOY Sunday. It marks the half-way point of this season; two weeks behind us, and 2 weeks ahead. In other years, “crunch time” filled with preparations: choir, special music, visits to shut-ins, study groups, decorations, children’s program, Christmas Eve plans …
But this year, with COVID concerns changing many of our norms,
(describe your own congregation’s situation in a couple of sentences).
Even so, I invite us today to take on the character of John the Baptist.
He confessed he was not the light, but was a witness, charged with the job of testifying. How can we be witnesses to the light this day, and this season?
Like John, our role is NOT about us (nor even about those for whom we’re shopping). Rather, it’s about the light. Our work is to show/tell the truth about the light, as we know it.
Our congregation continues to witness to the light of Christ in the way we
_______________ (fill in with specifics; what are you doing THIS year?)
With our (food for the food pantry/gifts for the angel tree recipients/support for One Great Hour of Sharing/membership in Bread for the World), we proclaim, we testify, we witness, to the One who overcomes the darkness.
So you are invited today to share generously from the abundance which you’ve been given. Our special Christmas offering will __________.
Your regular giving will help continue our on-going ministries.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
With joy, we lift our song of thanksgiving to you, God of Life and Light.
For the gifts you’ve given us,
for these gifts, given to become signals of your light,
and for each one who continues to seek ways to witness to you,
we give you our thanks!
Renew in us the joy we’ve been given by you,
that we might continue to live, grateful for the abundance of our lives. AMEN
Invitation to Communion (from I Thessalonians 5)
Writing in the very early years after Jesus’ resurrection, Paul starkly commands, “Rejoice always…give thanks in all circumstances”.
As we come to the Table this morning, we know it’s not easy to always rejoice. And we can be grateful Paul doesn’t instruct the followers to give thanks FOR all circumstances.
We face challenging circumstances
because of the pandemic,
because of economic difficulties,
because of racial divisions,
because of political differences.
Yet, we come to this Table, giving thanks in all these circumstances, that Jesus, the Light of the world, is coming! We rejoice because here we both remember his last supper with his disciples, and we anticipate a banquet when Jesus will welcome ALL…
those who have died
those who are poor and those who are rich
those who are from every nation under the sun,
and even those whose politics have hardened hearts
and erupted into painful divisions between family and friends.
This table is a practice table, giving us opportunity to demonstrate our desire to have a place at the Jesus banquet.
So come! This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you!
May the God of peace meet us here,
as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus.