Welcome! In the name of Christ we welcome everyone to our worship for the third Sunday of Advent. The Reverend Bill Burks is our officiant this week. This week our music is supplied by Rhonda Stanton and Zoë Pouliot. The scriptures in our service are read by members of Grace, Jonathan and Michelle Beasley, and Wilma Zeigler.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Office hours: are currently reduced to Tuesday and Friday from 9-2.

Advent Food Drive: please continue to buy extra non-perishable food and toiletries and drop those off in Ketchum Hall during office hours for the food pantry we’re working with. If the office hours timeframe is hard for you, let Wilma know and she’ll arrange to meet you at a convenient time.

Downtown Churches Advent Walk – this online version of the annual tradition is beautiful, and thanks to Pam Evans, Rhonda and Zoë, Grace Church was beautifully represented among the downtown churches. Link here: https://fb.watch/2bwRf9KYOj/

Grace Church’s Members’ Facebook Group – If you’re a member at Grace and would like to join this private Facebook group, please let us know by dropping a message here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/144532786973966/ It’s a way we can keep up with one another during this time when we’re not gathering together in person.

Children’s Resources

Together at Home: Lectionary-related activities, prayers, and conversation starters for families with children for the week of Dec 13.

The Third Sunday of Advent

Prelude: Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming

Candle-lighting

Hymn  #59 Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding

Collect of the Day

Advent Hymn: O Come, o come, Emmanuel

First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Psalm 126

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Gospel Hymn: #76 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry

Gospel Reading: John 1:6-8,19-28

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Sermon

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
    the Father, the Almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth,
    of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
    the only Son of God,
    eternally begotten of the Father,
    God from God, Light from Light,
    true God from true God,
    begotten, not made,
    of one Being with the Father.
    Through him all things were made.
    For us and for our salvation
        he came down from heaven:
    by the power of the Holy Spirit
        he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
        and was made man.
    For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
        he suffered death and was buried.
        On the third day he rose again
            in accordance with the Scriptures;
        he ascended into heaven
            and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

    He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
        and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
    who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
    With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
    He has spoken through the Prophets.
    We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
    We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
    We look for the resurrection of the dead,
        and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Hymn – O come, Divine Messiah

Prayers of the People

Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.

Grant that every member of the Church may truly and
humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and
Sacraments.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations
of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.

Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.

We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.

Silence

The People may add their own petitions.

Closing Hymn: Hymn #539 O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord