Sunday, December 14, 2025

Third Sunday of Advent

Kindle A Flame To Lighten The Dark (VU 19 x 3) Kindle A Flame To Lighten The Dark And Take All Fear Away. Kindle A Flame To Lighten The Dark And Take All Fear Away. Kindle A Flame To Lighten The Dark And Take All Fear Away.

Third Advent Candle Today we light the third candle of Advent, the Candle of Joy. In a world that can feel heavy, we pause to remember that joy is not a luxury - it is a gift from God, a spark that refuses to be dimmed. God of Joy, we gather with open hearts, longing for your light to break into our days. As this candle burns, may its glow remind us that joy can bloom even in waiting,

Nancy lights the third candle.

that laughter can rise even in sorrow, and that your Spirit meets us in every tender, ordinary moment. Kindle joy within us, a joy that steadies us, a joy that reaches out to others, a joy that sings of your hope in the world. Holy One, bless this flame and bless our seeking. May we carry your joy into our homes, our community, and every place longing for good news. Amen.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (VU 1) O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. R: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.	O come, O Wisdom from on high, Who ordered all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show And teach us in its ways to go. R. O come, O come great God of might; Who to your tribes on Sinai's height In ancient times once gave the law In cloud , and majesty, and awe. R.	O come , O rod of Jesse's stem; From every foe deliver them That trust your mighty power to save; And give them victory o'er the grave. R. O come, O Key of David, come And open wide our heavenly home. Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. R.
O come , O Dayspring , from on high, And cheer us by your drawing nigh; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death`s dark shadows put to flight. R.		O come, Desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; O bid all our sad divisions cease, And be for us the Prince of Peace. R.

Isaiah 35:1-10 The written text is HERE	Barabar C. reads scripture this Sunday
Psalm 126 (VU 850) R: We will praise the One who gave the growth, with voices full and strong. The Voices United text is HERE.	Luke 1:46-55 Follow the written HERE.

Love is the Touch (MV 89) Love is the touch of intangible joy; Love is the force that no fear can destroy; Love is the goodness we gladly applaud: God is where love is, for love is of God.	Love is the lilt in a lingering voice; Love is the hope that can make us rejoice; Love is the cure for the frightened and flawed: God is where love is, for love is of God.
Love is the light in the tunnel of pain; Love is the will to be whole once again; Love is the trust of a friend on the road: God is where love is, for love is of God.	Love is the Maker and Spirit and Son; Love is the kingdom their will has begun; Love is the pathway the saints all have trod: God is where love is, for love is of God.

Dennis B with the Sunday Message

He Will Come He will come when we're least expecting him, Whenn the world is unprepared As if orphaned from its destiny, As if no creator cared, Though for us it's out of season, God decides the place and time... (Music & words by John L. Bell.)

Invitation to the Offering

Offertory Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures high and low; Give thanks to God in love made known: Creator, Word and Spirit, One.

O Little Town of Bethlehem (vu 64) O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by; Yet in the dark street shineth The everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.	For Christ is born of Mary; And gathered all above, While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love. O morning stars, together Proclaim the holy birth, And praises sing to God, the King, And peace to all on earth.
How silently, how silently The wondrous Gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessed gift of heaven. No ear may hear His coming; But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive Him, Still, the dear Christ enters in.	O holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; Be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell; Oh, come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Immanuel!

Commissioning Now we go into the world as people of joy. Let the light we've seen here shine through our words and our kindness. May our laughter lift the weary, our compassion steady the hurting, and our hope encourage all who long for good news. Christ goes with us - so, we carry joy boldly and generously.

Benediction Amen

Postlude