Adviento - 3rd Sunday

Through the valley...with Christ

Adviento 2012

__________________________________________________ Third Sunday

MARTYRDOM WITH CHRIST
Formula for Social Justice

He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise; collect no more than is appointed you; rob no one by violence or false accusation and be content with your wages Luke 3:10-14

Miscarriage of justice most often results from the misconception that the law and the authority are one and the same.

CONGREGATION

GATHERING

The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has cast out your enemies...you shall fear evil no more (Zephaniah 3:15).

And now let the weak say I am strong
Let the poor say I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us
Give thanks...

GREETINGS

The light of the Lord's righteousness shine upon us all.
That we may justly pursue the reformation of the nation.

Blessing of the Advent Wreath

Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again.

Let us pray that we may always be ready to welcome him.

Come, Lord Jesus.

Loving God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior, who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin. Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May their light reflect the splendor of Christ, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen

Lighting of the Third Candle

We light this candle - a symbol of the Lord's justice - as we recall and claim to our heart's comfort the promise of the Lord…

Behold...I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. (Zephaniah 3:19)

May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way of justice and in self-offering with Christ strive to preserve and safeguard it against all forms of oppression.

HYMN OF PRAISE

Hail to the Lord's annointed

Hail to the Lord’s anointed, great David’s greater Son!
Hail in the time appointed, His reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression, to set the captive free;
To take away transgression and rule in equity.

He comes in succor speedy to those who suffer wrong;
To help the poor and needy, and bid the weak be strong;
To give them songs for sighing, their darkness turn to light,
Whose souls, condemned and dying, were precious in His sight.

By such shall He be fear?d while sun and moon endure;
Beloved, obeyed, rever?d; for He shall judge the poor
Through changing generations, with justice, mercy, truth,
While stars maintain their stations, or moons renew their youth.

He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth;
Love, joy, and hope, like flowers, spring in His path to birth.
Before Him, on the mountains, shall peace, the herald, go,
And righteousness, in fountains, from hill to valley flow.

Arabia’s desert ranger to Him shall bow the knee;
The Ethiopian stranger His glory come to see;
With offerings of devotion ships from the isles shall meet,
To pour the wealth of oceans in tribute at His feet.

Kings shall fall down before Him, and gold and incense bring;
All nations shall adore Him, His praise all people sing;
For He shall have dominion o’er river, sea and shore,
Far as the eagle’s pinion or dove’s light wing can soar.

For Him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend;
His kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end:
The mountain dews shall nourish a seed in weakness sown,
Whose fruit shall spread and flourish and shake like Lebanon.

O’er every foe victorious, He on His throne shall rest;
From age to age more glorious, all blessing and all blest.
The tide of time shall never His covenant remove;
His Name shall stand forever, His Name to us is Love.

INVOCATION

CONFESSION

CALL TO CONFESSION.

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6)

SILENT PRAYER OF CONFESSION
THE LORD'S PRAYER

CLEANSING

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)

THE PEACE

Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.

GLORIA PATRI

COMMUNION

OFFERING

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation...Give thanks to the Lord,
make known his deeds among the nations (Isaiah 12:3-4).

DOXOLOGY
COMMUNITY CONCERNS
PASTORAL PRAYER
READING OF SCRIPTURES

                First Lesson : Zephaniah 3:14-20
               Psalter : Isaiah 12:2-6
         Second Lesson : Philippians 4:4-7
      Third Lesson : Luke 3:7-18

BREAK THOU THE BREAD OF LIFE
ANTHEM
SERMON
I BELIEVE
THE LORD'S TABLE

CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming...he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Luke 3:16)

COMMITMENT

HYMN OF DEDICATION

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

COMMISSION

WORDS OF MISSION

Go forth in peace and share the good news : He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise; collect no more than is appointed you; rob no one by violence or false accusation and be content
with your wages and justice shall prevail throughout the land.

THE BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

CLICK Fourth Sunday

Hail to the Lord's annointed

Have Thine Own Way, Lord

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