“Enter Into His Gates with Thanksgiving & Praise” “Third Sunday of Advent” December 12, 2021
OPENING “Agnus Dei” By: Donnie McClurkin
CALL TO WORSHIP Advent Candle Lighting Liturgy
“The Joy of Home” Zephaniah 3:14-20 & Luke 3:7-18 Leader: It’s a reunion, every time we go home, every time we embrace those we love, no matter how long it has been. It feels like sunrise, like the clouds are parting and the rain has ended. It is joy, nothing less than pure joy to grab hold of those who are home for us, who make home for us! Whether we wake up to them every day, or travel many miles to see them again, it is joy to go home! People: The prophet, Zephaniah, tells us to rejoice at the thought of going home. The prophet tells us to imagine being set free, being unburdened, being released to live, to fully live in the grace and wonder of life itself, surrounded by those who love us like no one else. And then to live like that was our truth even now, even here. It is joy to go home! Leader: John the Baptist reminds us, however, that it takes choices to live in this joy. It doesn’t just happen; we choose to make life a joy by how we love others; by how we serve and give and care for others; by how we do the job we do and how we impact the world around us. We build joy as we build a home in this world and the next. People: We light these candles, the candle of hope, and of peace, and of joy, as a sign that we are on our way home, and we walk with a skip in our step because we can see the destination, and it is pure joy. It is time to go home.
PRAYER Dr. Sherry L. Daniels
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING
MINISTRY THROUGH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
“Jesus, the Light of the World” By: George D. Elderkin/Charles Wesley Arr. By: Evelyn Simpson-Curenton
By: Rev. Dr. Ken Sloane Director of Stewardship & Generosity, Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Verse 1 Hark the herald angels sing. Jesus, the light of the world. Glory to the newborn King, Jesus, the light of the world.
God Who Gives All Gifts: In this season, we focus so much on giving gifts to one another. Help us, we pray, to remember what John the Baptist tells us is on your wish list — that we might bear fruit, worthy of the repentance, that is the very heart of this season. Fruit of compassion; fruit of sharing; fruit by denying ourselves, so that others who have little will have enough. In response to you, we give, that our fruit might please you. In the Savior’s name, we pray. Amen. (Luke 3:7-18)
Verse 4 Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace. Jesus, the light of the world. Hail, the Son of righteousness! Jesus, the light of the world. Refrain (We’ll) Walk in the light, beautiful light. Come where the dew-drops of mercy shine right. (Oh) Shine all around us by day and by night. Jesus, the light of the world.
BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Go in peace. “Emmanuel, Emmanuel” By: Bob McGee
(Verses 2&3 omitted.)
THE OLD TESTAMENT READINGS Isaiah 12:2-6 Zephaniah 3:14-20
“Depart To Serve”
THE NEW TESTAMENT READING Philippians 4:4-7
THE GOSPEL READING Luke 3:7-18
MINISTRY THROUGH MUSIC “He Reigns Forever” By: Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir TODAY’S WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE WORD FOR TODAY Dr. Sherry L. Daniels
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
Worship Leader Mrs. Portia Murphy Musician Mr. William A. L. Brown, II Choir Triple A Praise Team “Anointed, Appointed & Assigned”