3rd Sunday of Advent - Joy
Today’s service may be viewed on Facebook Live Stream at this link: https://fb.me/e/3LhXzpIV6?mibextid=RQdjqZ, hear it in the church parking lot at 107.1 FM, or join us in person.
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Gathering Music Polly Dunford
Welcome and Announcements David Lollis
Opening Hymn Hymnal #107 “Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn” (verses 1-3) Words and Music by Marty Haugen
1) Awake! Awake, and greet the new morn, for angels herald its dawning.
Sing out your joy, for soon he is born, behold! the Child of our longing.
Come as a baby weak and poor, to bring all hearts together,
he opens wide the heavenly door and lives now inside us forever.
2) To us, to all in sorrow and fear, Emmanuel comes a-singing;
his humble song is quiet and near, yet fills the earth with its ringing;
music to heal the broken soul and hymns of loving kindness.
The thunder of his anthems rolls to shatter all hatred and violence.
3) In darkest night his coming shall be, when all the world is despairing,
as morning light so quiet and free, so warm and gentle and caring.
Then shall the mute break forth in song, the lame shall leap in wonder,
the weak be raised above the strong, and weapons be broken asunder.
Third Sunday of Advent - The Candle of Joy Tom Wright
Vicki Conrad-Wright
Voice 1: “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting.” (Isaiah 35:1‒2)
Voice 2: What does joy feel like in the new world?
All: Joy feels like everlasting love. Joy feels like the freedom to be who God created me to be. Joy feels like sharing love and kindness.
Joy feels like pride.
Voice 2: Advent is the beginning of this new world, a better world, where joy boldly bubbles up in unexpected places.
Voice 1: May it be so.
Voice 2: (Third Advent candle is lit.) Amen.
All: Amen.
Advent Song “When God is a Child” (verses 1-3) Handout
Words by Brian Wren; Music by Joan Collier Fogg
Hope is a star that shines in the night, leading us on till the morning is bright.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and
the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
Peace is a ribbon that circles the earth, giving a promise of safety and worth.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and
the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn, telling the world that Jesus is born.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song. The last shall be first and
the weak shall be strong, and none shall be afraid.
Scripture Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent Matthew 11:2-11
Sermon “Faith and Doubt Together Dwell” Dr. Keith Ray
Theme: While we come together as a community of faith, the doubts that come our way are also
part of the spiritual life. In a season of waiting, we can learn from John the baptizer who faced doubts, asking Jesus, “Are you the one, or should I look for someone else?”
Doubting is a part of the spiritual journey, something to be embraced
as we continue to grow in the ways of Jesus.
Prayers of the People
Closing Hymn/Offertory Hymnal #100
“My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout”
Words by Rory Cooney; Music - Irish melody
1) My soul cries out with a joyful shout that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight, and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest. Could the world be about to turn?
Refrain: My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.
2) Though I am small, my God, my all, you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame, and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight, for the world is about to turn.
Refrain
3) From the halls of power to the fortress tower, not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears every tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more, for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread; every mouth be fed, for the world is about to turn.
Refrain
4) Though the nations rage from age to age, we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard is the promise which holds us bound,
till the spear and rod can be crushed by God, who is turning the world around.
Refrain
Benediction Dr. Keith Ray
Discussion
Shalom (“May you be well and whole and in communion with all creation.”)
Shalom, my friends, Shalom, my friends, Shalom, Shalom.
Till we meet again, Till we meet again, Shalom, Shalom.
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Calendar of Service
December 18 - Christmas Pageant; Sanctuary
December 24 - Christmas Eve at 7:00 PM — Keith Ray; Sanctuary
December 25 - Keith Ray; Sanctuary
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On Dec. 11, copies of the non-pictorial directory should be available at the church. No personal information will be published on our social media and/or website. You will be able to receive a soft copy via an email with a request to mhc@g.clemson.edu.
Later a pictorial directory will be available when there are "enough" pictures. Personal information can be updated as needed.
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Christmas Pageant is coming. Rosie, Drew and Thor will be directing our annual Christmas pageant this year! They need volunteers to fill various roles, as well as some specific people for certain parts. If you are interested, please let them know!
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Keenagers Christmas Party will be held on Friday, December 16, at 12:15 PM at Diane Lee’s house (200 Woodoak Drive, Anderson). Bring a dish to share and a white elephant gift.
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On Saturday 17 December, at 10:00 AM, NACCPers will engage in our regular Litter Collection along Liberty Highway. Our congregation partners with the Adopt-A-Highway program of Anderson County to keep our stretch of Liberty Highway clean. If you are willing to help us, we would be happy to have you! We provide vests, gloves and grabbers - all you need to do is show up! If you can let me know (e-mail at cynthiakwarner@mac.com or text to 678-697-8249) in advance that would be great. If you want to show up at the last minute, I will be glad to see you!
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Remember in prayer: The Marsden family; Tawny Booth (friend of Vicki Conrad-Wright); Sharon Fowler; Jason Harding; Friends and Family of Doug Vaughan; Bruce Kalley and family; Tim and Michael Little-Bell and family; Linda McFall; Mike Johnston; Taylor Bishop (Whitney’s niece); Steve Hallowell; Pat Weddle; Glenn Burns; Jackie Moore; Whitney Bishop; Latha and Cheryl Semones; Immigrant families; Victims of all violence, oppression, and injustice; People of Ukraine; Families of Victims of mass shootings in Colorado Springs, CO, and Chesapeake, VA.
