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ADVENT 3

john the baptist’s song

16th December 2012

EntranceM: Here is a message for all who are weak,

trembling, and worried:"Cheer up! Don't be afraid. Your God is

coming." C: We gather to worship in the name of the

Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, our God, our creator, our redeemer, who walks with us and promises to be with us every step of our lives. Amen

entranceR: This is Advent, season of promise. In our worship we prepare for the birth

of a baby in a dusty stable in Bethlehem, and remind ourselves that this child will become the Saviour of the World who will return again in power and glory to draw all of his children together with songs of everlasting praise.

entranceThe promise of the baby is also the

promise of eternal life to all who believe.

God of hope and promise, be with us throughout this Advent season and Draw us ever closer as we journey together toward the stable and the birth of your Son, our Saviour.

C: Amen.

hymnWe sing

Prepare the royal highway v.1- 4LHS 737 CAL 293

Bereden vag for HerranFrans Mikael Franzen 1722-1847Tr. vv 1-4 Lutheran Book of Worship 1978,alt., v5 The Hymnal 1943 (Augustana Synod, USA)

Prepare the royal highway1. Prepare the royal highway,the King of kings is near;let every hill and valleya level road appear.Then greet the king of gloryforetold in sacred story:O blest is he that camein God the Father’s name!

Prepare the royal highway2. God’s people, see him coming:your own eternal king!Palm branches strew before him;spread garments; shout and sing.God’s promise will not fail you;no more shall doubt assail you:O blest is he that camein God the Father’s name!

Prepare the royal highway3. Then fling the gates wide opento greet your promised king;your king, yet every nationits tribute too should bring.All lands, bow down before him;all voices, thus adore him:O blest is he that camein God the Father’s name!

Prepare the royal highway4. His is no earthly kingdom;it comes from heaven above.His rule is peace and freedom,and justice, truth and love.So let your praise be soundingfor kindness so abounding:O blest is he that camein God the Father’s name! †

CONFESSION OF SINM: Friends in Christ:

In this Advent Season we are called to repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. So let us confess our sins to God our Father, because Jesus Christ has come to forgive us our sins.

CONFESSION OF SINC: O God, as we begin a new church

year, as we think of the year passing, we see the reality of the world, hunger, poverty, loneliness, disease, emptiness and despair. Our best efforts seem to change nothing. We are ready to give up. Forgive us.

CONFESSION OF SINC: In this time of Advent, we pray that

you would enable us to see the signs of your breaking through the tinsel and glitter we use to hide behind. Help us to face reality with patience and hope instead of becoming indifferent to the world's evil.

CONFESSION OF SINC: Empower us to prepare for Christ's

coming as you clean up the clutter of our lives and create a welcoming space for your presence in our lives.

Forgiveness OF SINM: Hear the Good News! God has

forgiven you through the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Receive God's forgiveness by believing this Good News. Through Christ, God calls each one of us to take our parts in the story of God's love and care, the journey of discipleship.

Forgiveness OF SINC: Lord Jesus Christ, you call us to

join the journey and you enable us to begin again and again. We come in our own different ways, walking in our own styles, at our own speeds. Yes, we come to join the journey, we come to be your disciples.

Forgiveness OF SINM: Come, as we walk towards God's

future for us: a future of adventure and risk, that demands endurance and patience; a future that offers enrichment and excitement, without the false claims of being easy, a future of discipleship.

C: We come to join the journey of Jesus today!

GreetingM: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you Pastor.

Advent candlesC: In this season of anticipation

We prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah

(1st & 2nd Candles are lit)R: This is Advent, the season of

expectation.

Advent candlesIn homes throughout the land Christmas

cards have arrived and stand displayed on mantelpiece and windowsill. Festive trees are adorned with tinsel and baubles, and children wonder what gifts will lie beneath them this year.

Advent candlesTwo thousand years ago a people

waited expectantly as they listened to a prophet called John talk of one who was to come, the Promised One of God, and they began to prepare themselves for that moment.

Advent candlesFather God, your servant John the

Baptist came with a challenging message; calling for repentance and lives to be transformed. Those who heard were filled with expectation, waiting for Messiah, and yet ultimately failing to notice his arrival in that humble stable.

Advent candlesThis Advent season, may we be filled

with expectation, as we wait to celebrate the greatest gift of all; the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

C: In this season of anticipation we prepare to welcome Christ Jesus, Messiah

(3nd Candle is lit)

PRAYERC: O God-who-comes, we pray today

that your Spirit would revive our spirits. In the light of the advent candles, we pray that your word would rekindle our visions. In this season of Advent, prepare us to receive you as the one who comes as the Babe of Bethlehem and who comes again as the King of kings. Amen.

The ReadingsIsaiah 40:1-11 CEV

R: The first reading for the third Sunday in Advent is written in chapter 40 of Isaiah beginning at verse 1.

Isaiah 40:1-11Our God has said"Encourage my people! Give them

comfort. 2Speak kindly to Jerusalem and

announce: Your slavery is past; your punishment is over.

I, the LORD, made you pay double for your sins.”

Isaiah 40:1-113Someone is shouting: "Clear a path in the desert! Make a

straight road for the LORD our God. 4Fill in the valleys; flatten every hill and

mountain. Level the rough and rugged ground. 5Then the glory of the LORD will appear

for all to see. The LORD has promised this!”

Isaiah 40:1-116Someone told me to shout, and I asked, "What should I shout?" We humans are merely grass, and we

last no longer than wild flowers. 7At the LORD'S command, flowers and grass disappear, and so do we.

8Flowers and grass fade away, but what our God has said will never change.

Isaiah 40:1-119There is good news for the city of Zion. Shout it as loud as you can from the

highest mountain. Don't be afraid to shout to the towns of Judah, "Your God is here!"

10Look! The powerful LORD God is coming to rule with his mighty arm. He brings with him what he has taken in war, and he rewards his people.

Isaiah 40:1-1111The LORD cares for his nation, just as

shepherds care for their flocks. He carries the lambs in his arms, while gently leading the mother sheep.

This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 98(CEV)R: The Psalm is Psalm 98R: 1Sing a new song to the LORD! He

has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory.

2The LORD has shown the nations that he has the power to save and to bring justice.

C: 3God has been faithful in his love for Israel, and his saving power is seen everywhere on earth.

Psalm 98(CEV)R: 4Tell everyone on this earth to sing

happy songs in praise of the LORD. 5Make music for him on harps. Play beautiful melodies!

C: 6Sound the trumpets and horns and celebrate with joyful songs for our LORD and King!

Psalm 98(CEV)R: 7Command the ocean to roar with all

of its creatures, and the earth to shout with all of its people. 8Order the rivers to clap their hands, and all of the hills to sing together.

Psalm 98(CEV)C: 9Let them worship the LORD! He is coming to judge everyone on

the earth, and he will be honest and fair.

C: : Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit;

As it was in the beginning is now and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm 98(CEV)• R: The Psalm is Psalm 98• R: 1Sing a new song to the LORD! He

has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory.

• 2The LORD has shown the nations that he has the power to save and to bring justice.

• C: 3God has been faithful in his love for Israel, and his saving power is seen everywhere on earth.

• R: 4Tell everyone on this earth to sing happy songs in praise of the LORD. 5Make music for him on harps. Play beautiful melodies!

• C: 6Sound the trumpets and horns and celebrate with joyful songs for our LORD and King!

• R: 7Command the ocean to roar with all of its creatures, and the earth to shout with all of its people. 8Order the rivers to clap their hands, and all of the hills to sing together.

• C: 9Let them worship the LORD! • He is coming to judge everyone on

the earth, and he will be honest and fair.

• C: : Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit;

• As it was in the beginning is now and will be for ever. Amen.

•

Galatians 3: 6-14 CEV

R: The 2nd Reading is written in chapter 3of Galatians beginning at verse 6.


6The Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith. 7And so, you should understand that everyone who has faith is a child of Abraham.


8Long ago the Scriptures said that God would accept the Gentiles because of their faith. That's why God told Abraham the good news that all nations would be blessed because of him. 9This means that everyone who has faith will share in the blessings that were given to Abraham because of his faith.


10Anyone who tries to please God by obeying the Law is under a curse. The Scriptures say, "Everyone who doesn't obey everything in the Law is under a curse."


11No one can please God by obeying the Law.

The Scriptures also say, "The people God accepts because of their faith will live."


12The Law isn't based on faith. It promises life only to people who obey its commands. 13But Christ rescued us from the Law's curse, when he became a curse in our place.

This is because the Scriptures say that anyone who is nailed to a tree is under a curse.


14And because of what Jesus Christ has done, the blessing that was promised to Abraham was taken to the Gentiles. This happened so that by faith we would be given the promised Holy Spirit.

R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

M: The Gospel is written in chapter 3 of Luke, beginning at verse 1.

C: Praise to you O Lord.M: At that time God spoke to Zechariah's

son John, who was living in the desert. 3So John went along the Jordan Valley, telling the people, "Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven.”

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

4Isaiah the prophet wrote about John when he said, "In the desert someone is shouting, 'Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him. 5Fill up every valley and level every mountain and hill. Straighten the crooked paths and smooth out the rough roads. 6Then everyone will see the saving power of God.' “

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

7Crowds of people came out to be baptized, but John said to them, "You bunch of snakes! Who warned you to run from the coming judgment? 8Do something to show that you really have given up your sins.

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

Don't start saying that you belong to Abraham's family. God can turn these stones into children for Abraham.

9An ax is ready to cut the trees down at their roots. Any tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.”

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

10The crowds asked John, "What should we do?"

11John told them, "If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.”

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

12When tax collectors came to be baptized, they asked John, "Teacher, what should we do?"

13John told them, "Don't make people pay more than they owe.”

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

14Some soldiers asked him, "And what about us? What do we have to do?"

John told them, "Don't force people to pay money to make you leave them alone. Be satisfied with your pay."

15Everyone became excited and wondered, "Could John be the Messiah?”

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

16John said, "I am just baptizing with water. But someone more powerful is going to come, and I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17His threshing fork is in his hand, and he is ready to separate the wheat from the husks. He will store the wheat in his barn and burn the husks with a fire that never goes out.”

Luke 3:1-18 CEV

18In many different ways John preached the good news to the people.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.C: Praise to you O Christ.

R: 'And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,

to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins...' Luke 1: 76 - 7

R: In the lonely placesThe wildernessWhere we stand forlornWindswept and aloneYour voice calls outC: Prepare a way for the Lord.

R: In the dark placesThe shadowsWhere we hide our fearsEmbrace our tearsYour voice calls outC: Prepare a way for the Lord,R: Because of the tender mercy of our

God,

by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1: 78 – 9

R: As the rising sun comes to us each dawn

Shine upon those who live in darkness

That all might know the joy of our salvation

C: The forgiveness of sinsR: And your great mercy.

For the desert places in which we walkThe streets we roamThe paths we crossGuide our feetTake us to placesWhere you would go

Give us words that you would useThat in this Advent seasonOf promise and preparationWe might point the way with John the

BaptistTo the Lamb of God, who takes away

the sin of the world!

Statement of faithC: We believe in God, the one who

comes before us and goes behind us, creating life and opportunities to love and care for the world.

We believe in Jesus Christ who walks with us into real life each day. He is God, yet human like us and experienced all life's joys and pains and challenges like we do.

Statement of faithC: But his love is so great that not sin

nor suffering, nor even death could stop it. Today our Lord Jesus lives and his love continues to bring new life to the world. We believe in the Holy Spirit who comes like the wind and blows in and through us to bring God's power and light to all the world.

Statement of faithC: The Spirit breathes life into us, the

body of Christ we call the Church, and enables us to follow the way of Christ. We believe in God, who goes before and behind, with, in and through us, bringing hope and life and newness to the world. Amen.

HymnWe sing

Sing a new song

AT 150 CAL 293

Sing a new song Sing a new song unto the Lord; Let your song be sung from

mountains high. Sing a new song unto the Lord, Singing alleluia.

Sing a new song Yahweh’s people dance for joy, 0 come before the Lord. And play for Him on glad tambourines, And let your trumpet sound:

Sing a new song Rise, 0 children, from your sleep; Your Saviour now has come, He has turned your sorrow to joy, And filled your soul with song:

Sing a new song Glad my soul, for I have seen The glory of the Lord, The trumpet sounds; the dead shall

be raised, I know my Saviour lives:



†

Sermon

Hymn As we give our freewill offerings, we sing

Comfort, comfort ye My people

LH 12 CAL293Tröstet, tröstet meine LiebenJohannes Olearius 1611-84

Tr Catherine Winkworth1829-78 (1863), alt.

Comfort, comfort ye My people1. 'Comfort, comfort my dear people,speak of peace', so says our God;'comfort those who sit in darkness,mourning under sorrow's load.Tell them in Jerusalemthat my pardon is for them,that their suffering now is over;they will live in peace forever.

Comfort, comfort ye My people2. 'All their sins I will forgive them,every evil deed they've done.Though they all deserved my angerI will pardon everyone.They have suffered many a day,now their griefs have passed away;I will change their gloom and sadnessinto comfort, peace, and gladness.’

Comfort, comfort ye My people3. Hear a herald voice now cryingin the desert far and near,calling all to true repentance,since the kingdom now is here.O that warning cry obey:For the Lord prepare a way:let the valleys rise to meet himand the hills bow down to greet him.

Comfort, comfort ye My people4. Straighten out what has been

crooked,make the rougher places plain;let your hearts be true and humble,fit and ready for his reign.For the glory of the Lordover all the earth is poured;everyone will see so clearlythat God's word will stand securely. †

OfferingC: In response to your promise of life,

we offer our life.In response to your promise of love, we offer our love.In response to all of your promises, we offer our gifts. Amen.

Offering prayerC: Great God, keep us faithful

as we wait for the return of your Son as king.

Help us not to get so caught up in the concerns of this lifethat we forget about the things that really matter.

Offering prayerC: Keep us trusting in you,

watching and praying,and loving one another and all people.Amen.

ADVENT LITANYM: Lord, have mercy.C: Christ, have mercy.

ADVENT LITANYM: Lord, have mercy.Jesus, name called Wonderful,Jesus, our great Comforter,Jesus, true and mighty God,Jesus, everlasting Father,Jesus, Prince of peace,C: we praise you and we bless your

holy name.

ADVENT LITANYM: Jesus, Son of David,Jesus, Branch of Jesse,Jesus, Rose of Sharon,Jesus, Lily of the valley,Jesus, bright and Morning Star,C: deliver us from our sins.

ADVENT LITANYM: Jesus, Sceptre of Israel,Jesus, Light of the Gentiles,Jesus, desire of all nations,Jesus, Sun of righteousness,Jesus, Lawgiver, Priest, Judge, and

King,C: help us and bless us.

ADVENT LITANYM: Jesus, hear us, C: and prepare us for your coming.

ADVENT LITANYM: Gather your ancient people, the

Jews, to yourself;bring all Gentiles to your light and truth;convert all leaders and rulers of nations

to fall down before you and to seek your glory.

C: Listen to our prayer, Lord, and hear our cry for help.

ADVENT LITANYM: Help your messengers to prepare

the way before you;give your servants righteousness and

knowledge;preserve all who put their trust in you;and give peace to all your people.C: Listen to our prayer, Lord, and

hear our cry for help.

ADVENT LITANYM: Prepare us for your coming,C: and save us from our sins.M: Lord, have mercy.C: Christ, have mercy. M: Lord, have mercy.C: Amen.

LITURGY OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

PREFACEM: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.M: Lift up your hearts.C: We lift them to the Lord.M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our

God.C: It is right to give our thanks and

praise.

PREFACEM: It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACEYou fulfilled your promise to comfort your

people by sending Jesus the Redeemer, and to make all things new through him when he comes to judge the world and set it right. And so, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we adore and praise your glorious name:

Holy, holy, holyC: Holy, holy, holy, tender, gentle

God.Heaven and earth are full of you.Hosanna, hosanna in the highest and in the low ones.Blessed is the one who comes in Your name.

LORD’S PRAYERC: 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.

LORD’S PRAYERLead us not into temptation, but

deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power, and the

glory are yours,Now and forever. Amen

99

WORDS OF INSTITUTIONM: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, and said: Take and eat; this is † my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

100

WORDS OF INSTITUTIONM: In the same way he took the cup, after the supper, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, Drink of it, all of you; this is † my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

COMMUNION INVITATION

M: Blessed are those who have been invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

C: Thanks be to God.M: Come, everything is ready.

lamb of god

C: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

grant us peace.

103

DISTRIBUTIONDuring the distribution the Minister or his assistant says:

Take and eat, this is the body of Christ, given for you.Take and drink, this is the blood of Christ, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

104

DISMISSALM: The body and blood

of our Lord Jesus Christ make you strong in body and soul to life eternal.

Go in peace.†C: Amen.

105

POST-COMMUNION Prayer

M: Let us pray.C: Merciful God, you sent your

messengers, the prophets, to preach repentance and to prepare the way of salvation.

106

POST-COMMUNION Prayer

May the body and blood of Christ which we have received in this meal give us strength to forsake our sins, so that we may greet our coming redeemer, Jesus Christ, with joy. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

BlessingM: Christ the Sun of Righteousness,

shine on you and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and always. Amen.

C: Amen.

107

dismissalM: Christ has come. C: Christ will come again. M: And Christ goes with you now to

sustain you in your journey. C: In the name of Christ. Amen.

108

hymnWe sing

Ye sons of men, in earnestLH 6 CAL 293

Mit Ernst, o MenschenkinderValentin Thilo 1607-62,

v 4 'Hannover Gesangbuch'(1657)Tr vv 1, 2 Catherine Winkworth (1863), alt,,

vv 3,4 Arthur Tozer Russell (1851), alt.

Ye sons of men, in earnest1. Be ready, now, all people,prepare your hearts within;the wondrous Conqueror's coming,whose power can save from sin,whom God in grace alonehas promised long to send us,to lighten and befriend us,and make his mercy known.

Ye sons of men, in earnest2. O set your ways in orderwhen such a guest is near;make plain the paths before himthat lie deserted here;forsake all that he hates,exalt the lowly valleys,bring down all pride and malice,and make the crooked straight.

Ye sons of men, in earnest3. The heart that humbly serves himthe Lord lifts up on high;the heart that's proud and haughtybeneath his feet will lie.The heart, sincere and right,that heeds God's invitationand makes true preparationis always God's delight.

Ye sons of men, in earnest4. Prepare my heart, Lord Jesus,turn not from me aside,and grant that I receive youthis blessed Advent-tide.From stall and manger lowO come to dwell within me;and with loud praises singingyour glory I will show.

†

Christ goes with you now to sustain you in your journey.

Please stay a while and

have a cuppa with us.

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