Worship Service for December 15, 2024

December 15, 2024 – Third Sunday in Advent and Carol Sing

Introit

Prelude

Lighting of the Christ Candle

This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.

Call to Worship (PWS&D liturgy)

One: As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we remember your calling to be filled with joy.
All: We come knowing that our actions can help alleviate the burdens of others.

One: We light the third candle of Advent, a symbol of joy that uplifts the spirit.

(Light the candle of joy)

One: May the warmth and brightness of this candle encourage us to act with compassion and courage.
All: Holy One, strengthen us by your Spirit to commit ourselves to being people of joy and justice. Fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in you, so that we may overflow with hope. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Opening Hymn

“On Jordan’s bank” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 126). Original Latin words (1736) by French teacher and writer Charles Coffin (1676–1749); English translation by English vicar and translator of hymns John Chandler (1806–1876); music (tune: “Winchester New”) first published in 1690 in Hamburg by Georg Wittwe; arrangement by English clergyman and hymnwriter William Henry Havergal (1793–1870). All words and music in the public domain.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, and Lord’s Prayer (sins)

God of joy,
You are our strength and our song. You gather those who have strayed from you and welcome them back to your side. You bring healing to those who are broken in body and spirit, and accompany those who walk alone. Through your great love and mercy, you transform us all into more than we ever thought we could be. We will trust in you and not be afraid. With joy, we sing of your glory and proclaim your saving power to those near and far as our Creating Father, the redeeming Christ and guiding Holy Spirit.

Merciful God,
in your gracious presence we confess our sins and the sins of this world.

All knowing God,
We know perfect joy only comes through faith in you, yet we seek it elsewhere. In search of comfort, we indulge our desires. In search of love, we hide from our faults. In search of approval, we spend beyond our means. Forgive us, O God, for seeking satisfaction in the wrong places. Help us turn again to you, our true source of joy, and guide us to discover what is honourable, just, and pleasing in your sight.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.

Declaration of Pardon

The scriptures say, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” The forgiveness we seek is ours through the grace of Jesus Christ. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, be with you.
All: Thanks be to God!

The Peace

One: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

GCPC Senior Choir presents

“One Small Child”. Words and music (1991) by American contemporary Christian musician David Meece (1952–). This arrangement (2004) by American musician Lloyd Larson (1954–). Words, music copyright © 1991 and arrangement copyright © 2004 Word Music, Inc.

Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst

“One Small Child” by David Meece, directs our attention to baby Jesus. This is what it is all about — not malls, shopping, parties, decorations, or a big man in a red suit. Let the simplicity of the message cover us all and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.

“Jesus loves me, this I know“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions, and music in the public domain.

Scripture Readings

Philippians 4:4–7  <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
Luke 3:7–18

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Philippians 4:4–7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 3:7–18

7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What, then, should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”

15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19 But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added to them all by shutting up John in prison.

Sermon

Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, in person or on-line, to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“Come sing, O Church, in joy” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 757). This hymn was the 1989 bicentennial hymn for the Presbyterian Church (USA). Words (1989) by American Presbyterian minister Brian Gill; music (1793; tune “Darwall’s 148th”) by English clergyman and hymnwriter John Darwall (1731–1789). This arrangement (1861) by English organist William Henry Monk (1823–1889). Words © 1989 Brian Dill; music and arrangement in the public domain.

Offering

As Jesus gave himself for us, let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth.

Offering – Musical Reflection

We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.

Dedication of our Gifts

Our offering will now be received.

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100^th“ with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

Just and joyful God, we bring our gifts with hearts that rejoice in your goodness to us, in Christ and in creation. Send your Holy Spirit to bless them and us with the power to shine the light of Christ into lives where Jesus can turn despair into joy. Amen.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

O God, our Strength and Salvation, we come to you with joy and thanksgiving as the beauty of this season unfolds. With the kindness of your Spirit, awaken opportunities for understanding to emerge among those who have differed, and refresh our community and congregation with joyful anticipation that your gift to us in Christ can change everything.

Tender God, we delight in the joy you bring into our lives and neighbourhoods through our life together in Christ, and through the love of family and friends. These gifts have sustained us through stressful times, and we thank you. We pray for those facing illness in spirit, mind, or body, and those waiting for diagnosis or treatment, as anxiety grows.

We pray for those who are lonely or in mourning, and all who have been touched by tragedy and violence.

We pray for those searching for work, struggling with rising costs, worried deeply about their security.

And we pray for those working to bring justice to the discouraged and defeated, and those doing their best to care for the earth you love, despite the challenges.

Use us to bring to joy to others through our friendship, generosity and understanding. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Come, thou long-expected Jesus” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 110). Words (1744) by English minister and hymnwriter Charles Wesley (1707–1788); music (tune “Hyfrydol”; 1844) by Welsh musician Rowland Prichard (1811–1887); harmony by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958). Words, music and harmony in the public domain.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Blessing

“Danish Amen” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 780). Words and music (tune: “Amen (Danish)”) traditional. Words and music public domain.

Postlude

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Last updated 2024-12-13 17:40 – First version.