Order of Worship

Opening Voluntary – Improvisation on “Besancon” by Michael Barker

Welcome/Greetings

Choral Introit

*Opening Hymn #213 – “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates”         

Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle – Joy       The Lopez Family

As we anticipate Christ’s coming, our hearts are filled with joy.

*Call to Worship

L:  Rejoice, for God is here!

P:  God is our strength and our light.

L:  Let us give thanks to God.

P:  We will sing praises for all the earth to hear!

*Opening Prayer

God of love and joy, thank you for your presence in our lives.  During this time of worship, draw us closer to you and to one another.  May we grow in our love for you and for our neighbor.  May we lay aside our worries, trusting that you hear what lies in our hearts.  May we dwell in your peace and be guided by the one who is to come, your Son, Jesus Christ.  In your holy name, we pray.  Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Merciful God, it can be hard to follow your ways.  We want to hold on to what we have.  We want to mind our own business and ignore the needs of others.  We want to follow the ways of the world and not your ways.  Remind us that you offer us forgiveness and bring healing and redemption into our lives.  Help us turn to you once again, that we may receive the good news of your endless love and grace.  Amen.

Words of Assurance

L:  God hears our prayers and offers us forgiveness.  In the name of Christ, you are forgiven.

P:  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Passing of the Peace of Christ

L:  God is in our midst and Christ brings peace and healing.  May the peace of Christ be with you.

P:  And also with you!

L   In a spirit of joy, share the peace of Christ with one another.

Children’s Message            Pastor Eumin Kim

Scriptures

Old Testament – Zephaniah 3:14-20 (New International Version)

¹⁴ Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!  Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!  ¹⁵ The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.  ¹⁶ On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.  ¹⁷ The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”  ¹⁸ “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you.  ¹⁹ At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you.  I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles.  I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame.  ²⁰ At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home.  I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the LORD.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

Gospel – Luke 3:7-18 (New International Version)

⁷ John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’  For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.  ⁹ The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”  ¹⁰ “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.  ¹¹ John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”  ¹² Even tax collectors came to be baptized.  “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”  ¹³ “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.  ¹⁴ Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”  He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”  ¹⁵ The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.  ¹⁶ John answered them all, “I baptize you with water.  But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  ¹⁷ His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”  ¹⁸ And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.

L:  The Word of God, For the People of God.  P:  Thanks be to God.

*Hymn before Message #2204 – “Light of the World” (Faith We Sing Hymnal)

Sermon – “Bearing Fruit while Waiting for Joy”                  Pastor Eumin Kim

Lord’s Prayer

Invitation to Tithes and Offering

God has given us so much. May we, in turn, bear good fruit for God’s world. In praise and thanksgiving, let us open our hearts and offer our gifts to God.

Chancel Choir – “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” (Es ist ein Ros)

*Hymn No. 95 – Presentation of the Offering

*Prayer of Dedication

Abundant God, we give you thanks for these gifts.  May you bless them and use them to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bring comfort to those in need.  And may we offer our very selves as we proclaim your good news of love and grace for all people. Amen.

*Closing Hymn #98 – “To God Be the Glory”   

*Dismissal with Blessing

Closing Voluntary – “Finale, Organo Pleno” by Janet Correll