Third Sunday in Advent

Welcome to Woodland! We’re glad you’re joining us this morning. Take a look at this week’s announcements, and be sure to fill out the visitor card at woodlandnash.org/bulletin.

You’re invited to rise in body or spirit for items in the bulletin marked with an asterisk*, and respond with the congregation for text that is bold. For now, sit back and relax as we begin the service.

Gathering

Prelude

Deanie Richardson & Melissa DuPuy

*Call to Worship

Rejoice in the Holy One always; again, I will say, rejoice.

Let your gentleness be to known to everyone,
for the Holy One is near.

For the Spirit of God is upon us, because the Holy One
has called us to bring good news to the oppressed.

Let your joy be known to everyone,
for the Holy One is near.

Lighting of the Candles

…like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with
joy and singing.

Come, Christ Jesus, Come!

*Hymn #106

Prepare the Way, O Zion

*Prayer of Confession

Holy God,
In ways that are sometimes very strange,
but more often quite ordinary,
you call us to active participation
in your continuing redemption of all Creation.
But we often refuse to accept our role
in bringing about such redemption.
Help us embrace the encouraging conviction
that your Spirit is slowly but surely bringing to us
and to all humankind
the full measure of your own grace and peace;
and help us live with hope toward a day
when your love for all Creation is embodied
as fully in us as it is in Christ Jesus,
your Beloved One. Amen.

Silent Confession

*Hymn #90

Wait for the Lord, whose day is near.
Wait for the Lord, be strong; take heart! (Repeat all 3x)

*Assurance of Grace

In this season of waiting, the Good News is this: mercy,
new life, hope, and joy are the gifts we receive from our God.

Thanks be to the God of Advent, who is with us now and always, and who will come again in glory! Amen.

*Passing of the Peace

Since we have hope in the peace of Christ, let us love one another.

The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

The congregation is invited to exchange signs of peace.

*Congregational Response

Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Encountering

Scripture Readings

Isaiah 12:2-6,
Luke 3:7-18

For the word of God in scripture, for the word of God among us, for the word of God within us, Thanks be to God.

Sermon

“How Can I Participate?”

Born and raised in Nashville, Emily Martin graduated from Furman University where she earned a degree in Sociology & Studio Art, served as a mentor for middle school girls, and spent summers working with the youth group at First Presbyterian Church and Daystar Counseling Ministries.


For the last year, she has been working as an executive recruiter with Elevation Search Solutions helping emerging market companies build out their teams.

*Hymn #109

“Blest Be the God of Israel”

Responding

Prayers of Supplication and Intercession

O God, in your loving kindness,
Hear our prayer.

The Offering

Deanie Richardson & Melissa DuPuy

*Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures high and low
Praise God in Jesus fully known
Creator, Word, and Spirit, one.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Service of Ordination and Installation

Today, we celebrate Brett Withers being ordained and installed as well as Greg Gardner and Heidi Hall being installed.

Pastor: There are varieties of gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them.
There are different ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served.
Pastor: God works through each person in a unique way, but it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.
To each is given a gift of the Spirit to be used for the common good.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lift up your hearts,
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
(The prayer continues.)

Silent meditation.

We give thanks to you in all things, O God, as we pray
together saying:

Our Father-Mother, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive the sins of others. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

*Hymn #105

People, Look East

*Dismissal & Postlude