Open and Affirming of ALL God’s Children
Third Sunday of Advent – Candle of Joy
December 11, 2022
This service will be in the Sanctuary and on Facebook Live at 10:00 a.m.
Silent Prayer
Holy God, your prophets have long spoken of the one who would come to save us.
Now the promise is fulfilled; now your kingdom has come near.
Send us as messengers of your way, to go and tell all the world of the wonders we have seen and the good news we have heard; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
* Indicates points in the service when we stand in body or spirit
Announcements
Prelude Pastorale ‘Gesu Bambino’ Pietro A. Yon
Welcome
Introit Arise, Your Light is Come! R #167
Arise, your light is come! The Spirit’s call obey;
Show forth the glory of your God which shines on you today.
*Call to Worship & Advent Candle Lighting * Joy
Reader One: When I look around, I see shadows of sadness, families who have lost loved ones, people in prison, people who are isolated and feel on their own…
Reader Two: When we look around, we see shadows of grief, people dreading the holidays because of painful memories, or because they don't want to spend another Christmas alone…
All: In the face of sadness, we light a candle of joy...
Reader One: In the face of grief, in the face of loss, we light a candle of joy... (Light the third candle in your Advent wreath.)
All: May the light from this candle overwhelm the world.
Reader Two: May the light from this candle say to all that God’s joy is coming, on earth as it already is in heaven.
All: Be not afraid, God’s joy is at hand!
*Passing of the Peace (ASL)
*Hymn Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old R. #113
Isaiah the prophet has written of old
how God's new creation shall come. Instead of the thorn tree the fir tree shall grow,
and the wolf shall lie down with the lamb, the wolf shall lie down with the lamb.
The mountains and hills shall break forth into song, the peoples be led forth in peace; the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea, as the waters cover the sea.
Yet nations still prey on the meek of the world,
and conflict turns parent from child.
Your people despoil all the sweetness of earth;
and the brier and the thorn tree grow wild, the brier and the thorn tree grow wild.
God, bring to fruition your will for the earth, that no one shall hurt or destroy,
that wisdom and justice shall reign in the land
and your people shall go forth in joy, your people shall go forth in joy.
*Invocation (spoken in unison)
As your Holy Spirit spoke to Mary, the mother of our Lord, speak to us now through your Word that by hearing we too may receive faith and be strengthened to do your will. Amen
Children’s Message
New Testament Reading Luke 1:46-55
Poem Good is the Flesh Brian Wren
Special Music – Choir Advent Blessing Jordan/Summers
MessageMy heart sings out with joyful praise to God who raises me, Who came to me when I was low and changed my destiny. The Holy One, the Living God, is always full of grace To those who seek their Maker’s will in every time and place.
The arm of God is strong and just to scatter all the proud. The tyrants tumble from their thrones and vanish like a cloud. The hungry all are satisfied; the rich are sent away. The poor of earth who suffer long will welcome God’s new day.
The promise made in ages past at last has come to be, for God has come in power to save, to set all people free. Remembering those who wait to see salvation’s dawning day, Our Savior comes to all who weep to wipe their tears away.
Prayers of the People – Sharing Joys & Concerns
Lead me Lord, lead me in thy righteousness, make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou Lord, thou Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
Invitation to Offering – Let us present with joy our offerings of commitment and support for the work of Christ’s church.
Offertory See, Amid the Winter’s Snow Humility/John Barr
*The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God for all that love has done; Creator, Christ, and Spirit, One. Amen
*Prayer of Dedication (spoken in unison)
All good gifts come from You, O God. May these offerings be used for the betterment of all living things. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen
*Hymn My Life Flows On in Endless Song R. #427
My life flows on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation. I hear the sweet, though far-off hymn that hails a new creation. No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Love is lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing. It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Love is lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die? I know my Savior’s living. What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he’s giving.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Love is lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing! All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I’m clinging. Since Love is lord of heav’n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
*Blessing
*Sung Benediction Go With Us, Lord R. #336
Go with us, Lord, and guide the way through this and every coming day,
That in your Spirit strong and true our lives may be our gift to you.
(Please remain seated for the Postlude)
Support our Church Financially
Please visit Hancock (Maine) UCC on Facebook or our webpage www.hancockucc.org
or visit this link to our PayPal account: paypal.me/hancockucc
or mail offerings to:
Union Congregational Church, PO Box 443, Hancock, ME 04640 (Attention: Treasurer)
Many thanks to those who helped make this service possible –
in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
Music Minister – Debbie Riley
Deacons – Doug Kimmel & David Wildes
Liturgist – Tamara Crowley
Graphics Minister – Cynthia Wood
Audio-Video Support – Mike Summerer
(Mike Summerer is happy to teach others this simple task. Please inquire…)
Office Secretary – Vicky Espling
Settled Minister – Rev. TJ Mack
The Body of Christ – You
Contact Us
hancockmaineucc@gmail.com treasurer@hancockucc.com revtjmack@hancockucc.com
207.422.3100 207.323.6743
Resources
enfleshed: liturgies that matter and Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
"Permission to podcast / stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License #A-738532. All rights reserved.”
Arise, Your Light is Come!
Words - ©1992 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Ruth Duck
Isaiah the Prophet Has Written of Old - JUDAS AND MARY
Words and Music - ©1982 Hymn Society in the US & Canada
Contributors: Joy F Patterson, Sydney Carter
My Heart Sings Out with Joyful Praise
Words - ©1992 GIA Publications, Inc.
Contributors: Ruth Duck
My Life Flows On in Endless Song
Words and Music - ©2019 Jubilate Music
Contributors: Robert Lowry, Jean Anne Shafferman
Words - ©1990 Hope Publishing Company
Contributors: Mary Jackson Cathey
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