Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
- Altar colour: Blue or Violet
- Bible readings:
FIRST READING Zephaniah 3:14-20 The Lord will renew us by his love
PSALM Isaiah 12:2-6 *For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice! The Lord is near
GOSPEL Luke 3:7-18 What must we do?
- Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on first reading: Pr David Christian
Based on second reading: Pr Stephen Pietsch ; edited for lay reading sermon – philippians 4 4-7 – year c – advent 3
- Orders of service:
Advent 3C Sunday Word & Prayer ( pdf / doc / ppt )
Service of the Word (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Morning Praise (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Service without communion (pdf / doc / ppt) - Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
Traditional
Lord, hear our prayers,
and graciously come into our hearts
to lighten our darkness;
for you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, modernised traditional
Lord, listen to our prayers.
Come to us in your kindness,
and lighten the darkness of our hearts.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, alternative
(Let us pray that we may receive Christ with joy. [silence])
Almighty and merciful God,
each year you make us glad
as we look forward to the birthday of your Son.
May we who joyfully receive him
as our redeemer
confidently face him
when he comes to be our judge.
For he lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, new
(Let us pray that we receive Christ with joy. [silence])
Jesus, our promised Messiah,
John the Baptist went ahead of you
and proclaimed the good news
of your coming.
Encourage us to receive you with joy
as our redeemer,
and faithfully follow you.
For you live and reign
with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
- Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Prayer of the Church – Advent 3C
- Offering Prayer:
Loving Father,
let your message change our lives,
so that we turn away from sin
and live as your holy people,
always trusting in you
and doing what you what us to.
Amen. - Visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
- Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here to download the text file) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20
LHS
9 Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes G6
13 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry G4
733 Daughter of Zion, O rejoice G6
739 When the King shall come again G4
AT
333 You are our God
TIS
269 Hark the glad sound! the Saviour comes
270 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s crySecond reading: Philippians 4:4-7
Any hymn of praise, in particular:
LHS
115 Rejoice! the Lord is king G7
147 O Morning Star, so bright and fair* G3
378 Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God G7
870 Lord of all hopefulness G6
AT
8 Praise and thanksgiving
259 Let us praise the God of truth
385 If there ever was a time
405 Lord of all hopefulness
TIS
128 Sometimes a light surprises
199 Lord Jesus, our bright Morning Star
216 Rejoice, the Lord is King
472 Father of mercy, God of consolation
596 Fill my whole life, O Lord my God
613 Lord of all hopefulness
623 Lord Christ, true peace of all above
743 Praise and thanksgiving let everyone bringGospel: Luke 3:7-18
LHS
6 Ye sons of men, in earnest* G3
13 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry G4
119 Come down, O Love divine G9
130 O enter, Lord, Thy temple* G4
798 Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round G6
AT
217 Shine, Jesus, shine
TIS
264 Hark! a herald voice is calling
270 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
398 Come down, O Love divine
675 Lord, the light of your love is shining (Shine, Jesus, shine)OTHER ADVENT SONGS (AT)
17 Emmanuel: God is with us
20 Come, Lord Jesus, come
25 Comfort, comfort
36 Vine and fig tree
55 His name is Wonderful
142 O Mary, don’t you weep
187 Help us, Lord
220 There’ll be peace
221 They were waiting
229 Christ is a-comin’
260 My soul is praising the Lord
302 Soon and very soon
309 When the Lord returns
313 Christ, be our light
314 Come to us
315 Drawn to the light
355 Freedom is coming
389 Light of the nations
402 God has chosen me
420 Get ready
425 God moving
434 Sing out with joy, he is coming
450 When Jesus Christ worked here on earth
453 The world is waiting
454 Your God will come
468 Sing a New Song
499 It was me
502 Patiently waiting for you
510 Advent news
519 New beginning
542 Word of the FatherISAIAH 12:2-6
For musical settings of Isaiah 12:2-6, see Music Packages 2 and 7, and LHS 655. The following paraphrase by John Kleinig may be sung to the musical setting by Alan Collyer.Refrain:
The Lord our God is holy;
the Lord is with us here.
The Lord has made us holy;
the Lord our God is great.I thank you, gracious Father,
for saving me from death.
I fear no condemnation,
since you have pardoned me.I trust in you, my Saviour,
and I am not afraid.
You rescue me from ruin;
you are my strength and song.You citizens of Zion,
rejoice and sing for joy!
Be bold and tell all people
what God has said and done!The reign of death is over;
the time for joy has come.
From springs of living water
you draw your life and health.The Lord is your strong fortress;
so call on him for help.
He cares for all the nations;
proclaim his name to them!
Hi!…just the 2nd. word “what” ( instead of “want” ) in Advent 3C Offering prayer…
“…and live as your holy people, always trusting in you and doing what you what us to.
Amen.”
………nit-picking, but keep up the good work…your resources save so much time
in composing power-points!…Mal.