THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT DECEMBER 17, 2017 Dorchester United Church
Wherever you are, whoever you are, Join us in our Journey! WE GATHER TO PRAISE GOD
TO PONDER:
On this third Sunday in Advent we light the pink or rose candle on the
wreath. It is the candle of Joy. Can you name those things that bring joy
to your heart?
MUSICAL PRELUDE
HYMN:
"Hail to God's Own Anointed" V.U. 30
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
John appeared at the Jordan as a wild prophet.
We have come worried and anxious about the future.
The Baptiser was the voice of conscience as he cleansed the people of their
sins.
Repentance is a fresh start and a call to new life.
Let us come to the desert where God's justice, peace and love are
offered freely.
OPENING PRAYER (In unison)
Come, O come, Emmanuel. Come to the empty-handed and the heavy-hearted.
Come to the despairing and the desperate. Bring love to the lowly and
hope to the downcast. Teach us Your ways that we may save the lost and
strengthen the weak. Be born in us that we may live without fear and be
confident in our faith. We come with joy that our worship this day may
fill us with good things. AMEN
LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: Advent 3: JOY
(The First and Second Advent Candles are lit)
Come now, O God of joy. Pour out Your Spirit on all who long for Your gift
of joy.
We celebrate and reflect on Your awesomeness.
(The third Advent Candle is lit - the pink one)
Marion Woods and Family
SUNG RESPONSE: "
O So-So" V.U. 34
Come now, O God of Joy, we are Your people;
Pour out Your Spirit that we be one body.
Moment of silence
HYMN:
"Herald! Sound the note of gladness" V.U. 28
RESPONSE: V.U. 400
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place,
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace
PASTORAL PRAYER
WE RESPOND TO GOD'S WORD IN FAITH AND ACTION
HYMN: "
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart" V.U. 378
OFFERING INVITATION
OFFERTORY RESPONSE:
For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for friends in a world where
many walk alone, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, we give you
thanks,
O God. V.U.552
OFFERTORY PRAYER: Gracious God, Your bountiful grace never fails to
overwhelm us. As we present these gifts of joy on this day, may we find
You again in all the places where we have stopped searching and may You
find us in all those places where we have remained in hiding. In the
Name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN
