3rd Sunday of Advent
Download the Order of Service
The advent wreath
Hope is a Star
(VU 7)
1
Hope is a star that shines in the night,
leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child there's joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.
2
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth,
giving a promise of safety and worth.
3
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that the Saviour is born.
A There are many different ways to find joy.
B There is joy in being together, Joy in accomplishing a hard task, or helping others. Think about the different ways you have felt joy this season.
What brings you joy in your daily life?
A Today we light the first, second, and third candles of the Advent wreath. Each candle has a meaning. The first candle is
All Hope
The candle is lit
A The second candle is lit.
All Peace
The candle is lit.
A And the third candle is lit.
All Joy
A The candle is lit
B (Isaiah 55:12) You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
A Let us Pray: Gracious God, you came to us in human flesh.
B And you abide with us in the Holy Spirit.
All Fill us with your joy, and help us shine as a light to the world. Through Jesus Christ, who makes our joy complete. Amen.
Carol: Joy to the world
(VU 59)
1
Joy to the world! the Lord is come:
let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room,
and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing,
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.
2
Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns:
let all their songs employ,
while fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
3
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
nor thorns infest the ground:
he comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found,
far as, far as the curse is found.
4
He rules the earth with truth and grace,
and makes the nations prove
the glories of his righteousness
and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love,
and wonders, wonders of his love.
Prayer of Advent 3 and the Lord's prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Children's hymn: Ding dong! merrily on high
1
Ding dong merrily on high,
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
2
E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people sungen
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
3
Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers,
May you beautifully rhyme
Your eve'time song, ye singers
Gloria Hosanna in excelsis!
Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7 (English standard version)
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.
You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
May God bless to our understanding this reading of Holy Scripture. Amen
Gospel hymn: The race that long in darkness pined
(VU 879)
1
The race that long in darkness pined
have seen a glorious light;
the people dwell in day, who dwelt
in death's surrounding night.
2
To hail you, Sun of Righteousness,
the gathering nations come,
rejoicing as when reapers bear
their harvest treasures home.
3
To us a child of hope is born,
to us a Son is given;
*him shall the people all obey,
him all the hosts of heaven.
4
His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
for evermore adored,
the Wonderful, the Counsellor,
the great and mighty Lord.
5
His power increasing still shall spread,
his reign no end shall know;
justice shall guard his throne above,
and peace abound below.
- or 'whom all people shall obey, and all the hosts of heaven.'
Benediction and The grace
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
The Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all evermore. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Hymn: Watchman, tell us of the night
(Tune: VU 48)
1
Watchman, tell us of the night,
what its signs of promise are;
Trav’ler, o’er yon mountain’s height
see that glory beaming star
Watchman, does its beauteous ray
aught of hope or joy foretell?
Trav’ler, yes; it brings the day,
promised day of Israel. (2x)
2
Watchman, tell us of the night;
higher yet the star ascends;
Trav’ler, blessedness & light,
peace and truth its course portends
Watchman will its beams alone
gild the spot that gave them birth
Trav’ler ages are its own,
see, it bursts o’er all the earth. (2x)
3
Watchman, tell us of the night,
for the morning seems to dawn;
Trav’ler, darkness takes its flight;
doubt and terror are withdrawn
Watchman, let thy wand’ring cease,
hie thee to thy quiet home!
Trav’ler, Lo, the Prince of Peace,