SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Advent 3, Year B, December 13, 2020
Sunday Worship
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*CALL TO WORSHIP Liturgist: Sheila Smith
One: Jesus says: I am coming soon.
All: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20)
One: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
All: God sends good news to the oppressed. (Isaiah 61:1)
One: Rejoice in the Lord; again, rejoice!
All: Be gentle to all: the Lord is near. (Phil. 4:4-5)
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of the future, you are coming in power to bring all nations under your rule. We confess that we have not expected your kingdom, for we live casual lives, ignoring your promised judgment. We accept lies as truth, exploit neighbors, abuse the earth, and refuse your justice and peace. In your mercy, forgive us. Grant us wisdom to welcome your way, and to seek things that will endure when Christ comes to judge the world.
(Personal and Silent Prayers of Confession.)
FIRST READING Psalm 126
126:1 When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
126:3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
126:4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
126:5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
126:6 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves. The inspired Word of the Lord.
One: The inspired Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God
SERMON READING Mark 1:1-8
1:1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
1:2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;
1:3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'”
1:4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
1:5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
1:6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
1:7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.
1:8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
One: The inspired Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God
SERMON “An Unusual Gospel Story” Rev. Chris Turner
*STATEMENT OF FAITH The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting . Amen.
JOYS & CONCERNS/PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY
*BLESSING AND CHARGE
NEXT SUNDAY’S LECTIONARY READING :
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 • Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 • Romans 16:25-27 • Luke 1:26-38