Joy is Coming! 
Service Prayers for the 3rd Sunday of Advent
December 13, 2015

Reflection on the Passages

During the third week of Advent the mood changes to more expectant delight. Joy is on its way. The readings speak to anticipated reversals of the world order. God is coming with a vengeance to save God’s people. Things are going to be turned around.

Advent is a spiritual journey for individuals and for congregations; a time for introspection that is part of preparation for the receiving the gift of God’s Son. It is during Advent that we acknowledge that Christ has come, Christ is present and Christ will come again. 

Call to Worship

Leader:		The joy of the season is upon us. 
The time is almost here. 
People:	We have come to praise the Lord!

We are here to sing praises to God, the Holy One
in whom we place our trust.
God opens our eyes and lifts us up.

Let us praise God
who reigns forever.

Invocation	

We gather, O God, 
in this worship space mindful of your presence.
	We are here to rejoice 
	as we wait to see your glory.
	Help us proclaim the joy you promise
In this hour of worship we ask that you bless us  
through the inspiration of your Holy Spirit and through
the stories of Christ’s ministry among us.
	 
 Confession

Here we are, Most Patient God, 
in the third week of our Advent journey. 
You alone know how that journey is going. 
Did we, at the beginning of the season 
promise to make this Advent different? 
Did we promise in our heart of hearts 
to prepare ourselves spiritually 
to receive the gift of your Son?

We confess, O God, that we, so easily, 
have given into the expectations of 
people and situations around us.
We allowed the times of quiet 
we promised for you to slip away.
Forgive us in our distractions
Help us renew our preparations for your coming.
We look forward to your promise to change things -
To bring life, and strength and courage to us: 
eyes to see, ears to hear, and tongues to speak your word. 

So we wait a little longer -
 	Moving…… at……… a………. slower……… pace
and with a great deal more patience.

Continue to be with us, O Lord 
as we learn to wait with you.

Silence

Assurance

We come to you confessing what is on our hearts and minds. 
We do so trusting that you want to hear our petitions 
and that you have already forgiven what needs to be forgiven. 
We believe that our prayers will be answered in your time 
and in your almighty wisdom.   Amen.

Call to Offering

The scriptures tell us that God will turn things around; 
there will be new life in the dry places; 
there will a strengthening in those of us with fearful hearts. 
There will be joy. 
We have the opportunity to participate with God 
in turning things around in this world. 
The effort to do so requires a sharing 
of the gifts God has placed in our hands. 
Consider now, what part you wish
to play in the work of creation.

Dedication

We present to you, O God, our gifts. 
 	May they be used to make a difference
 	in the lives of people where hope is scarce. 
May our gifts be a reminder, 
to those who receive them,
of your love. 

Benediction

Prepare yourselves to leave this place
Return to your waiting with patient hope for
the events of God’s promise of salvation to unfold. 
Strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord is near.

Joy is Coming! Service Prayers for the 3rd Sunday of Advent was written by Henrietta Stith Andrews, a retired UCC Pastor who served as Associate Conference Minister in Michigan.  Rev. Andrews  is a certified Spiritual Director and presently residing in Powderfield, Georgia.

Copyright 2015 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.