Worship Prayers Dec. 17

 

 

 

CENTERING PRAYER

 

We thank you, O God, for all those in Scripture who point to Christ; for your prophets Elijah, Isaiah, and John. We thank you, too, for those in our lives who point us to Christ: pastors, teachers, strangers, and friends. Give us eyes to see Jesus today among those who are oppressed, imprisoned, brokenhearted, or beaten down, and we will give our testimony, too: how Christ releases and sets free; how he turns ashes into garlands; how he repairs and builds up what was ruined. We, too, will point others to Jesus, the Light of the World. Amen.

 

 

CALL TO WORSHIP –  JOY

THIRD SUNDAY IN ADVENT 12/17/2023

 

Last Sunday we lit the candle of peace.  We light it and the candle of hope again as we remember that Christ will come again and bring us everlasting hope and peace.

 

(a person lights the candles of hope and peace)

 

The third candle of Advent is the Candle of Joy.  It reminds of the joy that Mary felt when the angel Gabriel told her that a special child would be born to her - a child who would save and deliver his people.

God wants us all to have joy.  The angel who announced to the shepherds that Jesus had been born told them: "Do not be afraid.  I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all people - for to you is born this day, in the City of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord."

 

We light this candle to remember that Christ brings the promise of a new life - a life in which the blind receive sight, the lame walk, and the prisoners are set free.   We light it to remember that He is the bringer of true and everlasting joy.

(Light the PINK Third Candle)

 

 

 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

 

Merciful God, you love justice; why, then, do we persist in wrongdoing and every form of evil? You give us the gift of your Spirit; why, then, do we quench your Spirit among us? You give us the words of the prophets and the Word himself; why, then, do we despise and ignore what we hear from you? You sent the light into the world; why, then, have we loved darkness rather than light? Forgive us. Restore us. Till and tend us as your garden until righteousness and praise spring up, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we continue to pray. (Silent Confession)

 

 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH – The Apostles’ Creed