Third Sunday in Advent

Order of Worship

Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more. 

Let us pray for the whole people of God, in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

Good and gracious Lord, grant us all an enduring and patient faith so that we may live peacefully among our neighbors and serve, as you have called us, with a confident hope that you have made a way for all who believe through your cross and resurrection. In times of great difficulty, remove anxious feelings from our hearts and restore us to a confident hope through your word, that we may remain steadfast with firm knees and strong hands as we await your return. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, pour out your Holy Spirit across the nations of the world so that those who walk in darkness might hear and see your son in the words of scripture and believe. Raise up pastors, volunteers, and missionaries from among your church on earth, that they may go where you send them and preach the good news of your kingdom to all creation. Make them strong, faithful, and patient in their witness to your word, so that those who hear it may be delivered from oppression and the prison of sin and death forever. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Merciful Father, please be with everyone weighing heavily on our hearts and minds—family, friends, and especially those enduring spiritual, mental, or physical suffering. Comfort them in their time of need. Help us bring your word and sacraments to ensure they always hear your words of mercy and grace. Grant caregivers wisdom and understanding, so they reflect your love on earth. Provide everyone in need with patience, endurance, peace, and joy as we await your return. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord Jesus, we lift up all those affected by natural disasters everywhere, especially those suffering from the massive flooding out west. Grant all those impacted your divine rest, mercy, hope, and a peace that surpasses all understanding. Be with all first responders who put themselves in harm's way and rush to aid their neighbors, and give them your strength, wisdom, patience, and love so that in all they do, they may glorify you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Teaching

Open or download this week's preview of the lessons. We send this to our homebound with a bulletin each week and thought you might like to have a copy as well. You may read it online or print it out. It includes prayers, brief teaching on each of the four lessons for Sunday, an overview, and an additional Word Search based on the Gospel Lesson. 

Vespers Tonight

Join us for Vespers this evening in the parsonage (across the street from the church) at 6:00. We will be eating and laughing, singing and praying, and reading and discussing the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent: Amos 9:11–15; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–3, 13–17; John 5:30–47.