Advent 3.6
Gather
The nights are long…
…the darkness deep…
…but the reason for our joy draws near.
Song – We Have Waited
Prayers of the People
God who is with us, in our joy as well as our sorrow, we pray this day for those in our community who are struggling during this time. Help us serve those who bear these burdens, that we all may experience the hope You give, for this life and the one to come.
Lord, in Your mercy…
Hear our prayer.
Lighting of the Advent Candle/Song – In This Season (Week 3)
Reading – Luke 1:56-67
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.
Song – Wintertide
Peace/Benediction
And now may the God of our joy open our lips that we may praise Him this day, this week and this season. May those who hear our praises wonder at His work. Go in joy to love and serve the Lord.
Next: Advent 3.7