Marshall Presbyterian Church
December 13, 2020; 3rd Sunday of Advent
Carol Ann West, Pianist
Rev. Melissa Upchurch, Pastor
ASSEMBLING IN GOD’S NAME
wELCOME
* CALL TO WORSHIP
One: When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like
those who dream.
All: Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and
our
tongue with shouts of joy;
One: Then it was said among the nations, “The
Lord has done
great things for them.”
All: The Lord has done great things for us,
and we rejoiced.
One: Restore our fortunes, O Lord. May those who
sow
in tears reap with shouts of joy.
All: Those who go out weeping, come home with
shouts of joy.
* Opening Prayer
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE - JOY (See handout)
* HYMN Carol
Ann’s Choice
CALL TO CONFESSION
UNISON PRAYER OF
CONFESSION
O God, you have called us to participate in your saving
work of rebuilding and repairing your creation. Yet we know we have fallen short of that calling.
Indeed, we have contributed to the
devastation of our world. We confess our
sin, O God…silent prayers of confession…Renew us and help us be discerning
and ready partners in your cosmic work of restoration. Amen.
* ASSURANCE
OF PARDON
One: God’s mercy abounds. God’s Advent grace goes
before us, after us, through us — sometimes unbeknownst to us, restoring us and
empowering us for participation in God’s own work in the world. Friends, hear and believe the good news of the
gospel: we are forgiven and restored, set on right paths of justice and peace.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen!
* Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to
the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world
without end. Amen. Amen.
* PASSING THE PEACE
Special MUSIC
HEARING AND RESPONDING TO
GOD’S WORD
prayer for illumination
THE Scriptures
Old
Testament: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 p. 641
Psalm
Psalm 126 p.
537
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 See bulletin
Gospel: John
1:6-8, 19-28 p.
922
One: The Word of God for the
people of God!
All: Thanks be to God!
TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES
Message Rev. Melissa
Upchurch
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Apostles’ Creed - Traditional
version)
We trust in Jesus Christ, fully human, fully God. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: preaching
good news to the poor and release to the captives, teaching by word and deed
and blessing children, healing the sick and binding up the brokenhearted, eating
with outcasts, forgiving sinners, and
calling all to repent and believe the gospel. Unjustly condemned for blasphemy and sedition,
Jesus was
crucified, suffering the depths of human pain and giving
his life for the sins of the world.
God raised this Jesus
from the dead, vindicating his sinless life, breaking the
power of sin and evil, delivering us from death to life
eternal.
* HYMN Carol
Ann’s Choice
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS (See bulletin
insert)
Prayers of the People and
Lord’s prayer (The
Lord’s
Prayer is located at the bottom of page 35 in the
purple
hymnal)
Sharing the Gifts of
God
Offertory
*Doxology (ca. 1500s)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
*Prayer of dedication And thanksgiving
O God, we offer our gifts to you to further the
promise of hope, peace, love and justice in our community and in our world. Empower us, O God, to follow these gifts into
the world around us so that they, and we, become bearers of your peace, love,
and justice on the earth. Amen.
GOING FORTH IN GOD’S NAME
* HYMN Carol
Ann’s Choice
