(Watch directly on YouTube here)

(Download a pdf of the full bulletin) 

Third Sunday of Advent 

PRELUDE 

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 

RINGING OF THE BELL 

Please stand as you are able. 

GATHERING HYMN “Hark, the Glad Sound!” Hymn #239 

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM 

Water! Water! We praise you, O God, for water—Canyon Lake, Guadalupe River, and the Edwards Aquifer, the rain that nourishes animals and plants, the water for drinking and bathing. We praise you, O God, for water. 

We praise you, O God, for water. 

We praise you O God for our water stories—a flood that cleaned the earth, the sea that drowned the enemy, a river that healed leprosy. We praise you, O God, for water. 

We praise you, O God, for water. 

We remember the waters of Jesus—baptized in the Jordan River, calming the sea of Galilee, drinking from Jacob’s Well, healing at the pool of Bethe-sida, washing the disciples’ feet. We praise you, O God, for water. 

We praise you, O God, for water. 

We praise you, O God, for this font, for through this water you have birthed us into the family of Christ, bathed us in forgiveness, and enlivened us in the Spirit. We praise you, O God, for baptism. 

We praise you, O God, for baptism. 

O God, you are the Ocean, sustaining this earth. O God, you are the River, saving us from death. O God, you are the Fountain, granting us health and well-being. We praise you, O God, today, tomorrow, forever. Amen, and amen. 

Amen, and amen. 

GREETING 

The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 

And also with you. 

 

HYMN OF PRAISE “Come to Us” 

 

Words and Music by Greg Walton, © 2011 SPIRIT AND SONG OCP Used by permission CCLI # 2561118 

 

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Let us pray. Lord God, Give us courage like Mary, that we too might say yes to you in the most unlikely circumstances, and bear witness to your justice for all, Amen. 

Please be seated. 

LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE 

We light three candles for the mystery of the Trinity: 

Creator, Christ, and Spirit. 

We light three candles as we worship that which we cannot ever fully name. 

We light three candles to say YES to the invitation to look for the holy in the most surprising of places. 

Hymn # 253 “He Came Down” vs. 1-3 

WORD 

FIRST READING Isaiah 35:1-10 

The prophet describes the return from the Babylonian captivity as a joyous procession to Zion. God’s coming reign will bring a renewal of creation in which health and wholeness will be restored. There is no need for fear, for God is coming to save. 

1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” 

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp; the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. 

PSALM Luke 1: 46b-55 

“My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness” Hymn #251 

SECOND READING James 5: 7-10 

In anticipation of the Lord’s coming, Christians are called upon to cultivate patience rather than discontent. 

7 Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Brothers and sisters, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffer-ing and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. 

CHILDREN’S SERMON Pastor Chris Steubing 

Please stand as you are able. 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

GOSPEL READING Matthew 11: 2-11 

John the Baptist expects the Messiah to bring God’s judgment upon the earth (Matt. 3:11-12). From a prison cell, he wonders whether Jesus is the one who will do this. Jesus’ response indicates that God’s reign is indeed be-ing fulfilled already through healing and restoration. 

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” 

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What, then, did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” 

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. 

Please be seated. 

 

Al - le - lu - ia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the 

 

Words of e—ter— nal life. Al - le - lu - ia. Al - le - lu - ia. 

 

SERMON Rev. Chris Steubing 

HYMN OF THE DAY Hymn # 242 

“Awake! Awake, and Greet the New Morn!” 

THE NICENE CREED 

Together with the whole church, we confess our faith: 

We believe in one God, 

the Father, the Almighty, 

maker of heaven and earth, 

of all that is, seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, 

the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, 

God from God, Light from Light, 

true God from true God, begotten, not made, 

of one Being with the Father; 

through him all things were made. 

For us and for our salvation 

he came down from heaven, 

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary 

and became truly human. 

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; 

he suffered death and was buried. 

On the third day he rose again 

in accordance with the scriptures; 

he ascended into heaven 

and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, 

and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, 

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,* 

who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, 

who has spoken through the prophets. 

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. 

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 

We look for the resurrection of the dead, 

and the life of the world to come. Amen. 

THE PRAYERS 

. . .God of grace, Hear our prayer. 

THE PEACE 

The peace of Christ be with you always. 

And also with you. 

Let us share the peace with one another. 

OFFERING 

OFFERING MUSIC “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” Hymn #254 

Please stand as you are able as the offering is brought forward. 

OFFERING PRAYER 

Let us pray. God of every good gift, we offer what we have back to you, knowing that your son is the greatest gift we will ever re-ceive. Grant us glad and generous hearts, ever and always, Amen. 

The Lord’s Prayer (Sung) 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen 

BENEDICTION 

May God bless you with courage, as you seek the YES within you; 

May Christ be born again in every risk you take for the sake of the world; And may the Holy Spirit remind you, again and again, that you are never alone, and that you are loved beyond measure. 

SENDING HYMN “People, Look East” Hymn #248 

DISMISSAL 

Go in peace. Keep awake. 

Thanks be to God. 

POSTLUDE 

 

Our staff and worship leaders today: 

Pastor—Rev. Chris Steubing 

Visitation Pastor—Rev. Judi Miller 

Our Reader—Kathy Pearson 

Our Liturgist—Claire Roberts 

Organist—Jimmy Cheung 

Choir and Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann