The Third Sunday of Advent
Centering Practice
Advent is a season of waiting & expectation. Today, we invite you to center your whole self in the joy of Christ.
- The theme of the third Sunday of Advent is joy!
- Turn to a neighbor and make a 3-step handshake of joy (be creative).
- Finally, say to them, “May the joy of the Lord be your strength”
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Week Three: The Candle of Joy
Reader 1
We give thanks for the light of Christ,
shining in the lives of all God’s people.
Reader 2
As we light our Advent candle
We thank You for the joy You give.
As we prepare for Christmas time
Light of the world, shine on us.
Reader 1
In the midst of sorrow
Bring joy to our hearts.
To all the people who don’t know You,
Light of the world, shine through us.
Reader 2
In this world of pain and darkness,
Help us to find joy in serving You.
In our service here today,
Light of the world, light the way.
— Light Two Purple Candles and One Pink Candle —
Worship Song
Joy of the Lord
Though tears may fall
My song will rise, my song will rise to You
Though my heart may fail
My song will rise, my song will rise to You
While there’s breath in my lungs
I will praise You, Lord
In the dead of night
I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
When the waters rise
I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
While there’s hope in my heart
I will praise You, Lord
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength
When I cannot see You with my eyes
Let faith arise to You
When I cannot feel Your hand in mine
Let faith arise to You
God of mercy and love
I will praise You, Lord
Oh You shine with glory Lord of light
I feel alive with You
In Your presence now I come alive
I am alive with You
There is strength when I say
I will praise You, Lord
When sorrow comes my way
You are the shield around me
Always You remain
Like courage in the fight
I hear You call my name
Jesus, I am coming
Walking on the waves
Reaching for Your light
Community Prayer
Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day.
As we have lit the candle of joy,
we pray for those people and places who need joy…
— Invite people forward to light candles —
Holy One,
be the light in our darkness this day,
that we might reflect Your light
into the dark corners of our world. Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
The Lord’s glory will appear, and all humanity will see it together;
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Communion
Offering
Announcements
- Thanks for worshiping with us today! We hope you experience meaningful connection with God and others in our community. If you’re visiting for the first time today, we invite you to use our QR code to fill out a visitors card so we can get to know you better
- Clothing Drive: Men’s Clothing for a Men’s Rehab in Mexico and children’s items for the San Marcos Lutheran Children’s Center Cares Closet. Please talk to Ann Leong for more details!
- Christmas offering: We are proud to partner with Justice Ventures International and Big Table San Diego for our annual Christmas offering. Give via Tithely (choose “Christmas 2023” from the drop-down menu) or write a check to Solana Beach Presbyterian Church and include “Anchor & Hope Christmas Offering 2023” in the memo.
- NextGen Christmas Offering: Our Sunday School students will collect funds to give a Christmas offering to support World Vision. Animals like goats, chickens, and rabbits can make a big difference for farmers’ families around the world!
- Sunday, December 24th: We will celebrate Christmas together with a joint family worship service. We will also celebrate baptisms and confirmations together! We’ll meet here at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary.
- Gingerbread house supplies sign up sheet
- Sunday, December 31st: We will not gather on the final Sunday of the year but will instead have a Reset Sunday. We’ll send out a worship guide that week so you can reflect on God’s faithfulness over the past year and look forward to next year together!
- Sunday, January 7th: Anchor & Hope will celebrate our 10 year anniversary on the first Sunday of the new year. We’ll invite our whole church to renew our commitment to prayer, witness, and community as we continue to hope & dream together. We’ll meet at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary.
- Save the date: There will be a women’s retreat on February 2-3, 2024!
Passing of the Peace
Family Song
I Have Decided
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back
He gives me hope, for each new day
I’m gonna follow Jesus
He lights my path, all along the way
I’m gonna follow Jesus
I will go wherever He leads
I’m gonna follow Jesus
No turning back!
Blessing of the Children
Go in peace and go in joy;
Filled with wonder for this day.
Go in faith and go in love;
God will guide you on your way!
Worship Song
Kingdom Come
God, let Your kingdom come
May Your will be done
God, let Your kingdom come
Earth is groaning and we are longing
For Your kingdom to come
All creation and all of heaven
Join their voices as one
Hope is stirring, joy arising
As we look to the day
When all injustice will bow
And every voice will cry out
Holy is Your name
Lift up your heads, all the weak and the poor
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours
Lift up your hearts, all who suffer and mourn
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours
Lift up your eyes, all who hunger for more
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours
Lift up a shout, let the earth hear your voice
The Lord is at hand and His kingdom is yours
Scripture Reading
John 1:6-8, 19-28
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light…
19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed and did not deny it, but he confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said,
“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ”
as the prophet Isaiah said.
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 They asked him, “Why, then, are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” 26 John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27 the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.” 28 This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Season of Advent
Divine Hospitality: Preparation
Pastor Dan So
Preparing for the coming of Christ is taking an active role in the inbreaking of God’s reign into this world, and this preparation is both/and work. We are called to do the spiritual work of preparing for Christ in our hearts and souls while also doing the hard work of enacting God’s peace, justice, and mercy in the world.
Pastor Kara Eidson
Reflection questions:
- How do you prepare for things that are meaningful to you?
- What roadblocks to joy do you face?
- What do you need God to help you “put into place” in order for you to experience joy?
Worship Song
Open Space w/ Make Room tag
I will make room for You
To do whatever You want to
To do whatever You want to
My heart is an open space
For You to come and have Your way
I’m open, I’m open
Pull me in closer, close to Your heart
May I be a pure reflection
of who You are
Love that is patient, love that is kind
Love that keeps no offenses
or wrongs in mind
Make me like Jesus
Make me like Jesus
You’re faithful to find me
Right where I am
Even in my wandering
You call me friend
Mercy receives me
And lifts me to my feet
I’m caught up in the wonder
and the mystery
Of knowing Jesus
Of knowing Jesus
Anchor & Hope Church 