The Third Sunday of Advent
Centering Practice
We invite you to slow down, breathe, and connect with God, each other, and yourself:
- Begin by closing our eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths
- Stand, stretch to the sky like a tree taking in the light (you can even smile!)
Lighting of the Advent Candles
Week Three: The Candle of Joy
Reading 1
We give thanks for the light of Christ,
shining in the lives of all God’s people.
Reading 2
As we light our Advent candle
We thank You for the joy You give.
As we prepare for Christmastime
Light of the world, shine on us.
Reading 3
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.
Reading 4
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 Songs
Center / Oh Our Lord
Oh Christ be the center of our lives
Be the place we fix our eyes
Be the center of our lives
We behold the breaking dawn
The light that shines over everyone
We look to You, we long for You, oh Lord
We behold the rising sun
The earth awaits, Your hope has come
We look to You, we long for You, oh Lord
Oh, oh, oh, our Lord
Oh, oh, oh, our Lord
How majestic is Your name in all the earth
We behold the falling rain
Like waters rise, flood this place
We reach for You, we cling to You, oh Lord
Oh, Your name is a light in the darkness
Oh, Your name is the word of truth
Oh Your name, oh Your name
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
Advent 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 every corner of our world.
Amen.
Assurance of God’s Love
Communion
Offering Prayer
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’d love to get to know you better. Please take home a visitor’s card with QR code so that we can stay in touch & build a relationship!
- Advent Offerings: This year’s advent offering will be given to two groups: Justice Ventures International and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
- Upcoming Schedule:
- Next Sunday, 12/15: Young Adults bowling outing after service
- Saturday, 12/21: Christmas party at the Kim’s house in Vista
- Sunday, 12/22: Advent offering during service; Youth Group outing after service
- Sunday, 12/29: Reset Sunday
- Sunday, 1/5/25: Anchor & Hope’s anniversary!
Passing of the Peace
Let’s greet each other at this time!
Family Praise
Joy to the World
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
Mercies (New Every Morning)
In brokenness and wandering
Through all my fear and unbelief
Your faithfulness appears to me again
Through mountain top and valley low
In every season, this I know
Your goodness, like the dawn, will break again
All Your mercies rising
In this heart again
And my soul begins to sing
They are new every morning
New every morning
Great is Your faithfulness
Your mercies are new every morning
New every morning
Great is Your faithfulness
Every good and perfect gift
In Your endless grace You give
Flowing from the Father’s heart to mine
Beams of heaven as I go
Through this wilderness below
The fullness of Your love for all of time
Scripture Reading
Luke 2:8-20
8 Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them, 19 and Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told them.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Sermon
The Season of Advent: Joy
Pastor David
Conversation:
- What does your life look like when you are your most joyful self?
- What may be hindering you from living into that joy?
Worship Song
Send the Rain
Lord, we come to You
Now with open hands
Broken lives and dreams
Washed up on the sand
We’ve been beaten down
But still we choose to stand
We choose to stand
Lord, we long for You
For Your hand to move
Heal this barren land
Come and make it new
Jesus, You’re the life
That is breaking through
You’re breaking through
The saints of old in ancient days
They worked the ground
that we reap from today
So use our hands to cultivate
The harvest that
our children’s children taste
We’re ready God, so send the rain
Lord, we’ll follow You
To unbroken earth
On the path not used
Where new hope is birthed
We will work as one
Holding to Your truth
To Your truth
Heal the ruined cities
We destroyed with our own hands
Bring us back together
Let us see the promised land
Pour out Your Spirit
On this dry and thirsty ground
O God of the harvest
Could it be right here and now
Could it be right here and now
Open up the heavens,
let Your rain fall down
We are thirsty, we are thirsty
Anchor & Hope Church 