Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Advent III
Isaiah 35:1-10
Luke 1:47-55
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
This is the third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as “JOY” Sunday. If you’re lighting an Advent wreath, this is the day to light the pink candle – a visual reminder we’re half-way through Advent. It’s a good day to joyfully celebrate how we are preparing for the Coming One.
Call to Worship (in response to Isaiah 35)
One: Rejoice! We’re halfway through this season of preparation!
Many: Why is that important?
One: We’re anticipating the coming of Jesus, celebrating because our lives
can model the joy of connection to God’s Beloved, our Redeemer!
Many: Isaiah proclaims, “Be strong! Fear not! God will come to save you!”
One: As God’s people, we gather, sing, and drink in the gladness.
Many: Today, we look for the signs.
See how the land, the animals, and all God’s people
celebrate God and the Holy Way which is coming!
ALL: Let’s sing aloud!
(If you can, move right into CH #136, Christians All, Your Lord is Coming.)
Opening Prayer
Holy God,
Grant us singing hearts, ready to join in joyful song.
Give us dancing hearts, delighting in your dance of creation.
Grow in us light-hearted hearts,
that we might worship you with all we are and all we have
as we prepare for the Coming One, even Jesus,
whom we know as the Christ. AMEN
Moment for Stewardship
The prophet Isaiah uses word pictures to draw us in and fill us with eager anticipation for what is not yet. Isaiah 35 poetically sings, “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 tongue of the speechless sing for joy.” (If you can, show this image.)
That’s the expectation of what happens when “the ransomed of the Lord shall return…everlasting joy shall be upon their heads…and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10).
Sharing our gifts, our tithes and our offerings provides opportunity for us to step into this picture, and join the celebration. Come! Bring your best gifts!
Let the joy of the Lord explode in this place!
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Creator God,
Receive these tokens of our praise, given with joyful hearts.
Open us to rejoice in the giving and the sharing of this offering.
Help us serve you and your beloved world with these gifts and
with all we are and all we have. AMEN
Invitation to Communion
Advent is a challenge to many of us.
Some of us dread trying to squeeze in “anticipation” in the midst of so many daily demands of work, school and family.
Some may despair in the face of the frenzy: what to create or buy, meals heavy on “treats” and slamming the door on moderation.
But at this table, we take time to remind ourselves that this season is designed as a season of anticipation. It’s characterized by the demand to WAIT for the Coming One.
Do you find that difficult? Commerce provides Christmas decorations beginning in November. Many stores display Christmas candy, toys, trees and tinsel even before that. And we acknowledge: many of us have put Christmas décor up inside and outside our homes. Look around! Even here in our sanctuary we see ________________ (tree? poinsettias? a full crèche?)
Yet in the church we also have this simple meal which we share today IN ANTICIPATION. We eat this bread and cup, awaiting Jesus’ coming in the fullness of time.
All are welcome to come to this table. Yet remember: this is a foretaste of what is yet to come. Let’s remember, and anticipate, as we share this simple meal.