Marshall Presbyterian Church
December 12, 20213rd Sunday of Advent
Carol Ann West, Pianist
Rev. Melissa Upchurch, Pastor
ASSEMBLING IN GOD’S NAME
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
* LIGHTING THE THIRD ADVENT CANDLE: JOY Carol Ann West
One: Today we celebrate the third week of Advent. We wait and hope for the coming of Jesus, who will bring peace and joy.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
One: This circle reminds us of God’s
unending love and presence.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
One: We bring evergreens to remind us that the hope
we find in Jesus is eternal.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
One: Four candles mark the four weeks
of anticipation and joy as we wait for the babe in the manger and the coming of Christ again.
All: Emmanuel, God with us.
One: The candles remind us that Jesus is the light of the world.
All: Emmanuel, God with us!
* CALL TO WORSHIP (from Philippians 4:4 and Isaiah 12:2)
One: Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice!
All: Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid.
One: The Lord God is my strength and my might!
All: He has become my salvation!
* OPENING PRAYER
* HYMN Love Has Come!
CALL TO CONFESSION
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, John the Baptist prepares the way by calling upon us to repent. We have failed to share as we should. We have failed to honor the poor and the oppressed. We have failed to bear fruit worthy of your salvation. …Silent prayers of confession…Have mercy upon us, God. Heal and forgive us so we can welcome Christ with pure and genuine hearts. Amen.
* ASSURANCE OF PARDON
One: With joy, let us draw water from the springs of salvation. Give thanks to the Lord! Call on God’s name.
All: Thanks be to God; Amen!
* GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
* PASSING THE PEACE
HEARING AND RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD
SPECIAL MUSIC A Christmas Carol – Carol Ann’s Choice
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
THE SCRIPTURES
Old Testament: Isaiah12:2-6
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Epistle: Philippians 4:4-7
Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
One: The Word of God for the people of God!
All: Thanks be to God!
TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES
MESSAGE Rev. Melissa Upchurch
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
(From the. PC (USA) Book of Common Worship)
We believe there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; for we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose. We are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
* HYMN Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
LORD’S PRAYER
WE SHARE THE GIFTS OF GOD
OFFERTORY MUSIC
*DOXOLOGY
*PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Christ calls us to live generous and grateful lives. Take these gifts we offer today, O God, and use them to the fulfillment of Christ’s ministry. May these gifts help to heal the sick, comfort the lonely, feed the hungry, and house the homeless. As Christ’s hands and feet, use us too, in service to building your beloved community. Amen.
GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME
* HYMN A Christmas Carol - Carol Ann’s Choice?
* INVITATION
CHARGE
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
* = Please rise in body or in spirit.
Liturgy written by Teri McDowell Ott, ©Presbyterian Outlook, 2021.
