WORSHIP RESOURCES

Third Sunday of Advent (Hope)

Philippians 4:4 -7

The Lord Is Near

 

Additional Scriptures

Isaiah 12:2-6; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Luke 3:7-18

 

Preparation

During Advent, create a tabletop wreath for a center of worship. Candles are placed in a wreath with greenery around them. The circle of greenery reminds us that God is without beginning or end. Four purple or dark blue candles, one for each week in Advent, are set in the circle. A rose-colored candle may be used for the week of Advent that represents joy. A white Christ candle for Christmas Day is placed in the center. Each Sunday the previous week’s candle(s) is relit before the service, and one additional candle is lit. Light the fifth candle, the Christ candle, during a Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service to signify the birth of Jesus. For a hybrid service, encourage those watching from home to create their own Advent worship center.

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “hope.”

Decorate with the liturgical color of the season, deep blue.

Prior to the Advent season, invite participants to suggest their favorite Christmas carols to be sung during the gathering time of each Advent worship service.

During the Welcome each participant will need paper and something to write with.

Plan to read Winter’s Gift, written and illustrated by Jane Monroe Donovan. Copyright 2004 Thomson Gale, ISBN 1-58536-231-X.

You will need a nativity scene for the Focus Moment.

 

Praise

Prelude

Gathering with carols of the season               Choose one or two.

“Star-Child”  CCS 420

“All Earth Is Hopeful/Toda la tierra” CCS 392/393

Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

“The First Noel”   CCS 424

OR

Sing carols that have been previously suggested by participants.

 

Welcome

Today is the third Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope. Let us begin with a spiritual practice, “Holding in the Light.” Spend a few moments in silence to become quiet inside and out.

Write down the name of a person or a circumstance in need of hope. You are now invited to enter a time of silent prayer in which these specific people and needs are placed in God’s loving, healing care. In your prayer, imagine the person(s) prayed for being surrounded by God’s light.

We trust God to know the needs of each person or circumstance and we compassionately hold them in the restorative, healing light of God.

            Take time to silently pray.

If you would like to share the name of the person(s) you have held in the light, please say their name out loud at this time.

Verbally offer a brief prayer of thanks to close your prayer experience.

 

Call to Worship: Luke 3:15-17

 

Hymn

“On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry” CCS 391           

OR “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”    Stanzas 1 and 2   CCS 405

 

Lighting of Advent candles

Advent is the season in the Christian calendar that celebrates the four Sundays before Christmas. In Latin, Advent means “coming,” and it is a time to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas, the coming of Jesus into our world.

Today, we light the candle of hope.                                  

Light the candle.

Hope is a light to show the way. Hope is constantly calling us forward to create a better tomorrow.

 

Hymn Response

“Hope is a Light”  Stanza 1     CCS 398

Learn the American Sign Language sign for “hope” and teach this to the children so they may accompany the participants during this hymn, with the sign for “hope” when this word is sung.

Use your dominant hand to touch your head with your forefinger and then move your hands in front of you, fingers pointed toward one another and flap twice.

Confession

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle.

Peace Prayer

Sower of Seeds,

You promise to feed your flock like a shepherd, to gather your lambs, to gently lead. In this time of Advent darkness, we sit in hope for the things to come. We gather in community to hear of your promises of peace and redemption. We hope that in the grand design of this time of rest for the Earth that you will bring us to peace.

God, open our eyes to the hope that you have for the world to be at peace. Help us to gather in those who feel no hope in this time, that they may find new life in you. Bring us all to a place of hope again. From that new sense of hope, allow us to go out and proclaim peace, to be at peace in our neighborhoods, to act for peace in the world at large. God, we hope for a time of peace again, we hope for the promises of your peace made real through Jesus again, we hope for a deeper connection with you again. Grant us the peace to hope again. Amen.

                                                                                         —Tiffany and Caleb Brian

 

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

Reading or Poem

Read Winter’s Gift, written and illustrated by Jane Monroe Donovan. 
ISBN 1-58536-231-X.

OR

“Making Room for Jesus”                  Verse 3

A weary hand hammers on the door of an inn

            and there is no room!

            No room, God of Hope, for hope to be born.

            Oh, how we need your gift of hope!

            Hope that finds the holy in a blade of grass,

                        a bird’s song, an infant’s cry.

            Hope that makes the future now,

                        that looks beyond what is and yearns for what can be.

            Surely there is room for hope?

            Hope sprinkling its promise

                        on the dark night of the soul?

            Hope for harmony! Hope for one more try!

            Hope that justice will have its day.

—Danny Belrose in Wave Offerings, Herald House 2005.

Used with permission.

Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn of Hope

"Wait for the Lord"  Sing several times. CCS 399

OR “We Wait in Hope for the Lord"  CCS 267

 

Proclamation of the Word

Message

            Based on Philippians 4:4-7

 

Commitment

Focus Moment

Advent Testimonies

Assemble a Nativity scene where all can see it. In advance, ask three people to share short stories about Advent Hope in their lives while the scene is set.

Conclude with: What else does Advent mean for us today? It is a season of hope…we are waiting for something, expecting something…we affirm that the Lord is near.

Sung Response

            Repeat one stanza of the song sung before the Message.

      

Disciples’ Generous Response

            Statement

Generosity is the spirit of the Christian life. To share what we have with others is not a burden or a dreary task. Instead, giving shows we have caught a breathtaking glimpse of God’s eternal nature, and our hearts have reoriented by Christ’s self-offering for the whole creation.

In Community of Christ, we love to sing, ‘Freely, freely you have received, freely, freely give.’ The song, “God Forgave My Sin in Jesus Name,” CCS 627, expresses what we call the ‘cycle of giving and receiving.’ Lavish love, love without bounds, has claimed us; how could we not respond with glad and generous hearts?

Giving money, time, and personal gifts is a spiritual practice as vital and important as prayer or participating in the sacraments. As with all spiritual practices, the discipline of giving does not earn grace; it is grace—God’s loving, transforming power in action in and through the choices of our lives. Generosity, especially in the form of the spiritual practice of tithing, is an expression of love. Tithing is not about following a formula. Rather, it is about giving to our truest capacity, which is ultimately an expression of love. And in the New Testament, love counteracts fear: our fear of loss, of not having enough, of being less, of not having control.

Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid because ‘it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom’ (Luke 12:32).

God ceaselessly gives us all God has. Therefore, we confidently can pray, “Give us this day our daily bread,” and we confidently can act so others have daily bread, too.

—Anthony Chvala-Smith, A Way of Life:

Understanding Our Christian Faith, Herald House

During Advent, we are reminded of God’s abundant generosity in the gift of his son. As we reflect on this freely given gift, may we be reminded that God calls us to bless the world with our own gifts. As we generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion bringing hope to the world.

If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

 

Closing Hymn

“Hope of the World” Stanzas 1 and 2  CCS 29

OR “May the God of Hope/Dios de la esperanza”   CCS 652

Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

OR “When the Present Holds No Promise”  CCS 430

 

Benediction

Sending Forth: Isaiah 12:2-6

Postlude

 

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Year C—Letters

Third Sunday of Advent

Philippians 4:4–7

 

Exploring the Scripture

On the third Sunday of Advent, we sing upbeat hymns with images of the coming triumph in the incarnation of God’s love among us. Advent reminds us to recognize this miracle of divine love freely shared with us. For many people, however, the holiday season is a time of sadness and struggle. For people dealing with frustration, loss, or illness, joy and happiness often seem distant. The advice from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice,” may appear hollow or unrealistic. Yet, the precarious nature of life is what Paul addresses in this passage.

Life was difficult for Paul and the Philippians. Paul was imprisoned while he wrote his letter. His future was uncertain, and he was dependent on the charity of others, like the people in Philippi, to meet his basic living needs. Besides, the letter references the persecution the Philippians felt as they sought to live their faith in Christ despite religious and social conflict with the Roman government. Also, key leaders of their group, Euodia and Syntyche, were in conflict, affecting the health of the entire faith community.

Paul’s deep affection for the people of Philippi is obvious. His encouraging words reminded them of the importance of imitating the nature and way of Christ to deal with their difficulties.

In this passage, Paul reminds the Philippians they are not alone. His focus is not on rejoicing as an emotion, but more as a description of being fully awake and aware of how God invites them to live. Christ journeys with them in difficult and easy times, and God’s faithfulness is steadfast and sure.

Paul is not telling people in distress to just be happy and not worry. Instead, it reminds them the supreme purpose, value, and filling of deep yearning in life is found by trusting in God and the peace of Christ. He assures them their humble response of gentleness toward others and trust in the mystery of God revealed in Christ Jesus create well-being that brings patience, endurance, peace, and joy.

Our Advent celebration does not proclaim all is right with our world. Instead, it is anchored in the assurance that fears, anxieties, and harsh realities do not undermine the reality of God’s love journeying with us. We grow in this awareness as we practice gentleness, kindness, patience, self-control, forgiveness, and healing. This growing awareness moves us to live more as Christ Jesus and rejoice in the Lord.

Central Ideas

1. Rejoicing is less of an emotion and more of a constant attitude, shaping Christlike behavior.
2. The steadfast faithfulness of God leads us to trust and have hope.
3. Disciples are called to respond to the harsh realities of life with compassion and healing.
4. Joy is experienced best in a relationship with God in a faith community.

Questions for the Speaker

1. How do we best speak of joy with people in distress?
2. What is the difference between joy and happiness?
3. What leads us to trust God is near us?
4. How do we balance working for justice and living in gentleness?

 

 

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

 

Year C, Letters

Third Sunday of Advent—Hope

Philippians 4:4–7

 

Gathering

Welcome

Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation for Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.

The Advent season begins four Sundays before Christmas and is observed each Sunday until Christmas Day. An Advent wreath with four candles and one Christ candle in the center often is used to observe the weeks of Advent. One candle is lit each week until all are burning brightly on Christmas Day.

 

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Igniter of the first flame, who gives oxygen to fire, who gives fig trees fruit, who gives expectant people hope, grant peace to those who wait in despair. As we celebrate joy, we know many struggle to feel your joy and peace. They struggle to find their voice in the world because they have lost the joy of singing and shouting excitedly! But you are faithful, God. You will restore joy to those who have lost it. You will bring peace to the nations and return joy to lives in despair.

Excite us anew, oh God, that we might share our hope with others and work for the kind of peace that delights you. As the potter forms clay, form us into a peaceful community that embraces and exudes peace. Pump us full of oxygen again, so the peace flame may spark, grow, and spread to all this season. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Journaling—Pregnant Waiting

Materials:

• Advent wreath or ring for four candles and one white candle in the center
• paper and pens or pencils

Light the third candle of Advent and say:

Today we light the third candle of Advent. This candle symbolizes hope. May we share the joy in our lives with others.

Read the following to the group:

Just as birth is painful and joyous at the same time, life is a paradox full of joy and pain that live side by side. Hope is cultivated from within each of us as is our pain. Hope can come from journeying with God in ways that bring healing from pain. As we companion with God, we experience anew the love and acceptance that always have been with us.

The Christ child represents hope in our lives and in the world. Christ teaches us that we are all children of God, and that all are loved.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.”

—Luke 2:10 NRSVue

Pass out papers and pens and say the following:

1. When do you feel in touch with the hope inside of you?
2. Share a story of when you have felt that hope in your life.

Give the group five minutes to journal and then invite members to share their thoughts and feelings.

 

Sharing Around the Table

Philippians 4:4–7 NRSVue

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

On the third Sunday of Advent, we sing upbeat hymns with images of the coming triumph in the incarnation of God’s love among us. Advent reminds us to recognize this miracle of divine love freely shared with us.

For many people, however, the holiday season is a time of sadness and struggle. For people dealing with frustration, loss, or illness, joy and happiness often seem distant. The advice from the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4.4 NRSVue: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice,” may appear hollow or unrealistic. Yet, the precarious nature of life is what Paul addresses in this passage.

Life was difficult for Paul and the Philippians. Paul was imprisoned while writing his letter. His future was uncertain, and he was dependent on the charity of others, like the people in Philippi, to meet his basic living needs. Besides, the letter references the persecution the Philippians felt as they sought to live their faith in Christ despite religious and social conflict with the Roman government.

Also, key leaders of their group, Euodia and Syntyche, were in conflict, affecting the health of the entire faith community. Paul’s deep affection for the people of Philippi is obvious. His encouraging words reminded them of the importance of imitating the nature and way of Christ to deal with their difficulties.

Paul reminds the Philippians they are not alone. His focus is not on rejoicing as an emotion, but more as a description of being fully awake and aware of how God invites them to live. Christ journeys with them in difficult and easy times, and God’s faithfulness is steadfast and sure. Paul is not telling people in distress to just be happy and not worry. Instead, his letter reminds them the supreme purpose in life is found by placing trust in God and the peace of Christ. He assures them their humble response of gentleness toward others and trust in the mystery of God revealed in Christ Jesus create well-being that brings enduring peace and joy.

Our Advent celebrations are anchored in the assurance that fears, anxieties, and harsh realities of life do not undermine the reality of God’s presence with us. We grow in this awareness as we practice gentleness, kindness, patience, self-control, forgiveness, and healing.

 

Questions

1. What is the difference between joy and happiness?
2. When have you trusted God was present with you in your struggles?
3. How do we balance working for justice and living in gentleness?

 

Sending

Generosity Statement

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.

The offering prayer for Advent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.

God who is faithful, be present with us as we plan our spending. May we use our resources in ways that build healthy, happy relationships with you, with others, and with Earth. May we remember the teachings of Jesus that challenge us to make lifestyle choices that are counter to our culture of accumulation and excess. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

 

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 401, “View the Present through the Promise”

 

Closing Prayer

 

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
• Thoughts for Children

 

Thoughts for Children

This activity continues throughout Advent.

 

You will need:

• evergreen branches in a spiral shape (created earlier)
• a collection of items that might represent joy in some way. You can collect these before the gathering or find them outside.*

 

For Advent this year, you will need a place where your Advent spiral can stay each week. You can leave it where it is after every gathering or store it somewhere safe and rebuild it before your gathering each week.

Say: Today is the third Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting, but it also is a journey toward Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. This year, as we journey through Advent, we will create an Advent spiral. Each week we will add something to our spiral, so it will grow as we get closer to Christmas.

Last week we built our spiral with evergreen branches, reminding us that love always can be found.

This week, we are going to add to our spiral. (Say either…)

1. I have brought some items that remind me of hope in different ways.
2. We are going to go outside and look for things in nature that help us feel hopeful.

Choose one thing that makes you feel hope, so we can add it to our spiral. At Christmas we celebrate the birth of the Jesus, who can bring hope to our lives. We remember that we are called to be peacemakers, even when it is really hard.

Help participants pick an item that reminds them of hope. Find a spot within the spiral to lay it on an evergreen. Thank them for their help and invite them back the following week to see what we will add to our spiral.

*If you choose this option, help participants respect plant and animal life by finding things that are already on the ground or near falling off.