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Through the valley...with Christ​

THE WAY OF THE JOURNEY –  Adviento 2012​

________________________  Third Sunday​

 

MARTYRDOM WITH CHRIST
 Formula for Social Justice​

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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..

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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.​

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HYMN OF PRAISE

 

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. 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. ​

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

 

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​

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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.

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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​

 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ​, and the love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit

be with you all. Amen