CCLI license #1913561
Lakeview Presbyterian Church
Service of the Word for December 12, 2021
The Third Sunday of Advent
Welcome: Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Questions for Reflection: We are all busy preparing for our Christmas celebrations; what are you doing to prepare for the coming of Jesus?
Prelude: “Prepare the Way, O Zion” TPH#13 sung by Keisha Prime
Advent Candle Lighting Waiting/ Joy
This year as we light the Advent candles we are looking at the themes of expecting, waiting, preparing and welcoming, along with our traditional themes of hope, peace, joy, love.
Today on 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 born in Bethlehem brought a message of justice, 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.
Light the first purple candle.
The second candle, the candle of Peace, reminds us that God dreams for peace in the world, and that Emmanuel, “God with us,” is the Prince of Peace.
.Light the second purple candle.
The third Advent candle reminds us that God calls us to share joy by being part of the healing of the world.
Light the pink candle
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 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” TPH #9
Prayer for Illumination
Holy Word, open us to your promises and commands and shower us again with the fire of your love. Amen.
Reading from the Prophets Zephaniah 3:14-20 NRS
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singingas on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the LORD.
Hymn (please remain seated) “Watchman, Tell us Of the Night” TPH #20
Reading from the Gospels Matthew 25:1-13 NRS
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I do not know you.' Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
Sermon “What Will You Do When He Comes?” Rev. Russell Lehman
Affirmation of Faith (from A Declaration of Faith, pcus)
God sent the promised Deliverer to his people.
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.
Hymn “ It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” TPH # 38
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
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
Let us bring to God our offerings, with thanksgiving that God provides more than enough for all.
Donations can be mailed to Lakeview Presbyterian Church at 1310 22 nd Av S, St Petersburg, FL, 33705 or given online through our website lakeviewpresbyterianchurch.org
Special Music sung by Keisha Prime
Prayer of Dedication of Offerings and Pledges
Gracious God, in gratitude for all that you have given us, we bring our tithes, offerings, and pledges of support for the ministries of this Church. Along with our offerings, we labor to help feed a world hungry for healing and hope; for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Hymn “Rejoice the Lord is King” TPH #155
Charge/Benediction
Go to
love and serve the Lord, showing mercy to all.
May the peace of God,
which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus, for whom we watch and wait.
Postlude Days of Elijah-Mark sung by Keisha Prime