Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Third Sunday in Advent
December 11, 2022
CCLI license #1913561
Welcome: Grace and Peace to you in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ
Prelude
Gathering Jonathan Bailey
My soul magnifies the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
God has shown God’s love among us by coming into the world in Jesus the Christ, that all people might live. My friends, if God so loved us, so we ought to love one another.
God dwells in us. Let us worship the Holy One and seek to love as we have been loved.
Opening 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.
Hymn “Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn” G # 107
Advent Candle Lighting: Joy
Today is the third Sunday in Advent. We join with the writers of the Bible in shouting for joy that God is always with us. The child of Mary brought a message of compassion and healing, the things that make for real joy. That joy spreads as we follow Jesus’ actions and words.
The first Advent candle reminds us to have hope for a better world.
(The first purple candle is lit)
The second Advent candle reminds us that God dreams for peace in the world, and that Emmanuel, “God with us,” is the Prince of Peace.
(The second purple candle is lit)
Today we light the third Advent candle, the candle of joy. It reminds us that God calls us to be part of the healing of the world--to bring real joy.
(The pink candle is lit)
Prayer: Gracious God, so many people need your healing and hope. In this season of giving, and on every day of the year, help us to say and do those things that will help bring Christ’s compassion and caring for all. Amen
Hymn Response “Prepare the Way of the Lord” #95
Prayer for Understanding
God of wisdom, pour out the power of your Spirit so that your Word may blossom in our lives, through Jesus Christ, our way in the wilderness. Amen.
Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Isaiah 35: 1-10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, "Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you." Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,1 the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it,1 but it shall be for God's people;2 no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Hymn please remain seated “Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming” G # 129
Reading from the Gospels Luke 1:46b – 55 (Magnificat)
And Marysaid, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."
Sermon “No One Is an Island” The Rev. Russell Lehman
*Affirmation of Faith Declaration of Faith pcus
Jesus, the long-expected Savior, came into the world as a child, descended from David, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of Mary, a virgin. He lived as a Jew among Jews. He announced to his people the coming of God's kingdom of justice and peace on earth. We affirm that Jesus was born of woman as is every child, yet born of God's power as was no other child. In the person and work of Jesus, God himself and a human life are united but not confused, distinguished but not separated. The coming of Jesus was itself the coming of God's promised rule. Through his birth, life, death, and resurrection, he brings about the relationship between God and humanity that God always intended.
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
(This is the Ecumenical Version; feel free to use the words of your choice)
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen
Statement about Offering our Gifts
As a farmer plants the seeds and waits in hope trusting that the rains will come, let us entrust our gifts to the Lord as we await the coming of God’s reign.
Donations can be placed in the offering plate near the baptismal font in the center of the sanctuary.
Or mailed to:
Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705
or given online at: lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music
Prayer of Thanksgiving
O God, maker of heaven and earth—giver of justice, hope of the afflicted, and friend of the poor, your faithfulness never fails. Take and use these gifts we offer to further your purpose in the world and to fulfill the promise of the world to come; through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.
*Hymn “Once in Royal David’s City” G # 140
Announcements
Charge and Benediction
Be patient, beloved ones, and let your hearts be strong, for the coming of the Lord is near, and may the blessing of God: Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.
Postlude