Order of Srvice – Sunday 15 December 2024 -ADVENT 3 and CAROLS SERVICE
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CALL TO WORSHIP
In joy I will call to the Lord:
The Lord is in our midst. Sing praises to the Lord. Shout aloud and sing for joy. Rejoice and exult with all your heart. The Lord is near!
God of love, in the hope of Your kingdom and in the peace of Your kingdom, we pray for the joy of Your kingdom to fill this world with Your love. Amen!
HYMN: 152 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE – JOY
Let us give thanks to the Lord and sing for joy,
For the Holy One dwells among us.
Silence and the lighting of the candle
In the stillness of this place and of this moment, we light this flame of joy. May it be a sign to us of the joy that springs forth from the wells of salvation, and may it guide us in the way of Christ.
As the light of this candle grows, so may the joy in our hearts shine, reflecting the goodness of our Creator. Amen!
Lord our God, give to us a portion of that joy which comes gently, as a whisper, rooted in the depths of Your love. As we make our Advent journey, help us to seek abiding joy, not that of trinkets and tinsel, but that of Your presence with us.
BIBLE READING – Philippians 4:4-7 (Page 1163)
A LITANY OF ADVENT
O God, who prepared the hearts and minds of people years ago for the coming of Your Son, prepare now our hearts and minds to receive Him anew, that he might dwell within us.
Make our spirits ready for the wonder of Your glory and fullness of Your blessing.
As people of old waited in anticipation of His coming, prepare our minds to receive Him.
As they longed for the day when God would reveal Himself through His Son, purify our hearts that He might enter in.
As they looked forward to the day of the promised coming of the Anointed One, draw our spirits nearer to You that we might receive Him.
As they listened to the prophets foretell the coming of the Prince of Peace, remove hatred and strife from our lives that we might receive Him.
As the messenger, John the Baptist, preached repentance to prepare the way of the Lord,
So may we live in preparation for the coming of Your kingdom.
As the Wise Men brought their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child,
So may we offer ourselves and our substance.
O Lord, we pray that the message of the heavenly host, “Peace on earth and good will toward men” ever find echo in our hearts and be practised in our lives.
O come, O come, Emmanuel, come into our minds, our hearts, and our lives today. Amen!
CAROL: 265 “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us pray to the Lord:
For the joy of creation and all who work for the preservation of the earth.
Lord, You are our joy and our salvation.
For all whose hearts are heavy, that they may find the quiet joy of God’s love and presence through the goodness of others.
Lord, You are our joy and our salvation.
For Rima, her family and all who are brought joy by the Forsa project and
Act for Peace’s programs.
Lord, You are our joy and our salvation.
For the Church, that it may be a beacon of joy in the world.
Lord, You are our joy and our salvation. Amen!
BIBLE READING – The Holy Family in Bethlehem Adrienne Cholakyan
Luke 2:1-7 (Page 1014)
CAROL: 316 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
CAROL: 311 “Silent Night”
BIBLE READING – The Shepherds Hear & Worship Ian Butters
Luke 2:8-20 (Pages 1014-1015)
CAROL: 301 “The First Nowell”
CAROL: 309 “Angels, from the Realms of Glory”
BIBLE READING – The Wise Men Seek the Child Brian Cartwright
Matthew 2:1-12 (Page 956)
CAROL: 314 “As with Gladness Men of Old”
CAROL: 330 “O, How Joyfully, O How Hopefully”
BIBLE READING Chris Butters
Zephaniah 3:14-20 (Pages 935-936) Isaiah 12:1-6 (Page 687)
MESSAGE: “Everlasting and Enduring Joy” Krikor Youmshajekian
CAROL: 268 “Joy to the World! The Lord is Come”
NOTICES – Christmas Eve Service – Tuesday 24 December 7:00 pm.
- Christmas Day Service – Wednesday 25 December 9:00 am.
OFFERING
Blessed are You, Lord God of all creation. Through Your goodness we offer these gifts to You. May they be a blessing to expand Your Kingdom.
Blessed be God for ever.
CAROL: 304 “O Come, All Ye Faithful”
THE LORD’S PRAYER and SENDING OUT
Go out into a world of joy and pain, of prosperity and poverty, of goodness and corruption, and shine the light of hope, peace, joy and love, in all that you are and all that you do, that you may weep and rejoice with the heart of God. Amen!
To contact Krikor call 0418 417 411
Church Website: http://www.longueville.unitingchurch.org.au
Church email: standrewsunite@tpg.com.au
Church Office phone: 9427 4740