Third Sunday in Advent
Worship
More Services for the Advent Wreath
For Lectionary Cycle B
Object:
(Distribute this sheet to the readers.)
Date: _________________________
Reader A: ________________________________
Reader B: __________________________________
Introit
(As the introit is being sung, Readers A and B come forward and stand by the Advent wreath until the music is finished.)
Litany
Reader A: Please turn to the Advent litany in your bulletins.
(Pause as they do so.)
... the ransomed of the Lord will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Scripture
Reader B: Listen to Paul's charge as he calls us to be always joyful:
Reader A: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. Reader B: On this third Sunday in Advent, along with the candles of hope and peace, we light the candle of joy. The ultimate joy is in the coming of the Lord and the establishing of God's kingdom.
Lighting Of The First, Second, And Third Advent Candles
(While Reader B is reading, Reader A uses the small candle at the back of the wreath to take the light from the altar candle and transfer it to the front candle, side purple candle, and the pink candle. Extinguish the small candle and return it to the back of the wreath.)
Prayer
Reader B: Let us pray:
Almighty God, we hear the words to be always joyful and to give thanks in all circumstances. Fill us with your Spirit that we may hold onto all that is good so that our joy in you may be full. Amen.
Introit
(As the introit is being sung again, the readers may be seated.)
Date: _________________________
Reader A: ________________________________
Reader B: __________________________________
Introit
(As the introit is being sung, Readers A and B come forward and stand by the Advent wreath until the music is finished.)
Litany
Reader A: Please turn to the Advent litany in your bulletins.
(Pause as they do so.)
... the ransomed of the Lord will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Scripture
Reader B: Listen to Paul's charge as he calls us to be always joyful:
Reader A: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. Reader B: On this third Sunday in Advent, along with the candles of hope and peace, we light the candle of joy. The ultimate joy is in the coming of the Lord and the establishing of God's kingdom.
Lighting Of The First, Second, And Third Advent Candles
(While Reader B is reading, Reader A uses the small candle at the back of the wreath to take the light from the altar candle and transfer it to the front candle, side purple candle, and the pink candle. Extinguish the small candle and return it to the back of the wreath.)
Prayer
Reader B: Let us pray:
Almighty God, we hear the words to be always joyful and to give thanks in all circumstances. Fill us with your Spirit that we may hold onto all that is good so that our joy in you may be full. Amen.
Introit
(As the introit is being sung again, the readers may be seated.)
