We won’t get to enjoy Advent in the sanctuary this year. We’ll be worshiping on living room couches and at kitchen tables. But even when we’re apart, we recognize our togetherness—with one another, with God—through our worship.
This year, we encourage you to join in worship by lighting Advent candles and sharing in a weekly liturgy, either with others or alone. You can say the liturgy every day with your family, substituting scripture readings for the appropriate day. Or you can light a candle on Sunday to mark a new week.
Join us as we prepare to receive the Christ child—God’s love incarnate for you.
THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT – JOY
OPENING SENTENCES
The Spirit and the church cry out:
Come, Lord Jesus.
All those who await his appearance pray:
Come, Lord Jesus.
The whole creation pleads:
Come, Lord Jesus.
PRAYER
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
creator of light and darkness.
In this holy season,
when the sun’s light recedes in the growing darkness,
renew your bright promise among us,
made visible in Jesus Christ, your Son.
Through your Spirit, who spoke through prophets,
who gathers your Church, who enlivens our hearts,
give vision to our souls, to see your glory in the presence of Jesus.
Strengthen us where we are weak,
encourage us as we go about your work,
and free our tongues to sing your praise,
forever and ever. Amen.
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE
First, light two purple candles and then the pink candle. When lighting the pink candle, say,
We light this candle as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
As the Lord has promised in days to come:
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
Like the crocus is shall blossom abundantly,
and rejoice with joy and singing.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
see list below
CANTICLE
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
Luke 1:46b-55
DISMISSAL
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with your Spirit. Amen.
Galatians 6:18
Bless the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
***
Week Three Scripture Readings:
Sunday, Dec. 13 Third Sunday in Advent
Morning: Pss. 24; 150
Evening: Pss. 25; 110 Isa. 13:1–13 Heb. 12:18–29 John 3:22–30
Monday, Dec. 14
Morning: Pss. 122; 145
Evening: Pss. 40; 67 Isa. 8:16—9:1 2 Pet. 1:1–11 Luke 22:39–53
Tuesday, Dec. 15
Morning: Pss. 33; 146
Evening: Pss. 85; 94 Isa. 9:2–7 2 Pet. 1:12–21 Luke 22:54–69
Wednesday, Dec. 16
Morning: Pss. 50; 147:1–11
Evening: Pss. 53; 17 Isa. 9:8–17 2 Pet. 2:1–10a Mark 1:1–8
Thursday, Dec. 17
Morning: Pss. 18:1–20; 147:12–20
Evening: Pss. 126; 62 Isa. 9:18—10:4 2 Pet. 2:10b–16 Matt. 3:1–12
Friday, Dec. 18
Morning: Pss. 102; 148
Evening: Pss. 130; 16 Isa. 11:1–9 Eph. 6:10–20 John 3:16–21
Saturday, Dec. 19
Morning: Pss. 90; 149
Evening: Pss. 80; 72 Isaiah 11:10–16 Rev. 20:1–10 John 5:30–47
