third sunday of advent

December 13, 2015

 

-Gathering into worship-

*Those that are able are invited to stand

 Welcome                                                                                             Gary Burdick, Lay Leader

 

Opening Scripture                                                                                  Isaiah 12:2–6

 

*Call to Worship

Give thanks to the Lord and call upon the holy name of the most high God.

The Lord is our strength and our salvation.

Proclaim the mercy of the One who comes as one of us.

The Lord is our strength and our salvation.

Trust and do not be afraid.

The Lord is our strength and our salvation.

With joy you will draw water from the wells of peace.

The Lord is our strength and our salvation. Hallelujah! Amen.

 

*Hymn                                      “Stand Up and Bless the Lord”                                                  #662

  

*Opening Prayer

Merciful God, you come into our midst longing for communion with us, becoming one of us. Break our resistance to life with you, show us the path toward just relations, and bring us into your unimaginable peace; in Jesus’ name. Amen.

  

*Chorus                                       “Emmanuel, Emmanuel”                                            #204

Emmanuel, Emmanuel, his name is called Emmanuel.

God with us, revealed in us, his name is called Emmanuel.

 

Announcements

-Celebrating Our joy-

 

Joy Scripture                                                                                                    Philippians 4:4-7

 

Song                                         “Rejoice in the Lord Always”                      

Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice (x2)

Rejoice, rejoice and again I say rejoice (x2)

Sharing Our Joys

-BECOMING THE CHURCH THROUGH WORD-

 

Children’s Sermon                                                                                                Luke 1:39-66

 

Anthem                                        “Sing We Now of Christmas”                                        Choir

 

Scripture                                                                                                                       Luke 3:7-18

 

Sermon

 

 -Offering our prayers-

You are invited to share your prayer concerns by writing them on the Prayer Request cards and placing them in the offering plate.

 

Prayer Hymn                         “Take My Life, and Let It Be”                                        #399

 

Silent Prayer / Pastoral Prayer / Lord’s Prayer

                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.

 

-Sharing our blessings-

 

Offering Our Gifts and Tithes

To give electronically from your mobile device visit donate.mifflinave.org or scan this code

 

*Doxology                  “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”                                #95

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below;

Praise God above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

 

*Offering Prayer

Generous God, we thank you for bringing us to this season of faith, hope, and love. As we look at our lives, we see evidence of the countless ways that you have provided for our needs. Let gratitude well up in our hearts and overflow in generosity to others. Draw us outward to see ways that we can joyfully share what you have given. Let our acts of kindness as a church bear good fruit in the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

-Taking the Word to the World- 

 

*Closing Hymn                          “Tell Out, My Soul”                                                   #200

*Benediction

*Chorus                             “God Be with You till We Meet Again” (Refrain)                        #672

Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus’ feet;

till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again.

 

 

 

Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church

 Where Faith and Life Meet

www.mifflinave.org

412-731-2511

Pastor: Rev. Kelly Smith

214-202-9291

[email protected]