Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church

11:00 AM Worship                   Third Sunday of Advent                         11 December 2011

 

GATHERING

   O Morning Star                                                                                                            F. Ritter

 

GREETING AND WELCOME                                                                                                

 

INTROIT                                                                                                                                    

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP

   The Lord has done great things for us!

   And we are filled with joy!

   Our God has turned our weeping into singing,

   our tears into songs of joy!

   O Christ of God, come anew in our hearts this day,

   and remain in us forever.

 

*HYMN  UMH 202

   People, Look East                                                                                                        Besancon

 

*PRAYER  in unison

   We look for light but find darkness,

   for brightness, but walk in gloom.

   We grope like those who have no eyes;

   we stumble at noon as in the twilight.

 

   If I say, “Let only darkness cover me,

   and the light about me be night,”

   even the darkness is not dark to you,

   the night is bright as the day,

   for darkness is as light with you.

 

   Blessed be your name, O God, for ever.

   You reveal deep and mysterious things;

   you are light and in you is no darkness.

   Our darkness is passing away

   and already the true light is shining.  Amen.

    

ANTHEM

 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

 

FIRST READING

   Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

  

SECOND READING

   John 1:6-8, 19-28

 

   The Word of the Lord.

   Thanks be to God.

 

LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLE

   We light this candle as a symbol of joy.

   May the joyful promise of your presence, O God,

   make us rejoice in our hope of salvation.

   O come, O come, Emmanuel!

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

   Following the message, children from K-3 are invited to attend the Junior Church program.

 

SERMON

   On Garments and Gardens

 

HYMN  UMH 203

   Hail to the Lord’s Anointed                                                                                      Ellacombe

 

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

 

PASTORAL PRAYER

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER  in unison

    Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will

    be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us    

    our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into

    temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and   

    the glory, forever.  Amen.

 

*THE PEACE

 

OFFERING

   One Holy Light                                                                                                           M. Shea

 

*DOXOLOGY  UMH 95

 

GREAT THANKSGIVING  UMH 15

 

BREAKING THE BREAD

 

*COMMUNION

The elements will be served at the altar rail.  Please return to your seat by the opposite end of the pew

 from which you exited.  Those unable to come forward should indicate to an usher, and the stewards

 will bring the elements to you.  All bread is gluten free.

 

*HYMN  UMH 204

   Emmanuel, Emmanuel (sing twice)                                                                              McGee

 

*BENEDICTION

   God the Father, who loved the world

   so much that he sent his only Son,

   give you grace to prepare for eternal life.

   God the Son, who comes to us as Redeemer and Judge,

   reveal to you the path from darkness to light.

   God the Holy Spirit, by whose working

   the virgin Mary conceived the Christ,

   help you bear the fruits of holiness.  Amen.                                                                          

 

*GOING FORTH

   Hosanna Now Through Advent                                                                         D. Busarow

 

*Those who are able are invited to stand.