Welcome to Advent 3 Worship with HomeFaith! Advent is the season leading up to Christmas where we prepare ourselves for God’s coming into the world. We have assembled some videos, music, stories and prayer, as well as some fun activities for the young at heart to enjoy anytime.
I suggest people participating in this worship read or pray out aloud the words in black.
Song
Let us worship God in the first song, which is ‘Days of Elijah’, by Robin Mark.
The video is in the window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to Vimeo at:
https://vimeo.com/558980766
Call to worship
As we begin our worship, let us acknowledge the Wiradjuri people. They are the earliest known inhabitants of our region, and part of God’s good creation.
The prophet Isaiah said,
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth.’
On this third Sunday of Advent, we celebrate that God’s saving power has come into the world. Let us rejoice and sing out with gladness at the message of salvation. Let us rejoice and look forward to the coming of our Lord into our lives and into our world.
[You may like to light a candle at this point. The third candle in Advent is usually called ‘the Advent candle of joy’, and is often coloured pink]
Opening prayer
Let us pray. God of our Advent. God of birth and life. God of the cry going out to all the world,we open our ears as you call out to us. [silence]
Forgive us when we simply make Advent a time of the past and overlook your invitation to us in the present. [silence]
With thankfulness let us come because of the Good News we have heard. With thankfulness let us come because we know you are with us. Let us come as your people. Amen.
Children’s story
If you have not seen it, the story of John the Baptist from The Foundry Kids.
Bible reading
The readings for today are from Philippians 4:4–7 & Luke 3:7–18.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry 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.
Luke 3:7-18
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptised by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. 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. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptised, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 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.”
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptise you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 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.”
So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
And/or video of reading
Here is a dramatic re-enactment of today’s reading from Luke 3:7-18, with a bit extra at the beginning and end. It was recorded by a group called the ‘Lumo Gospel’ that have created videos of the four Gospels. If you have trouble connecting you can go direct to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omdRd6XGptQ
Reflective music
The reflective music for today is, ‘In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful’ . The video is in the window below and if you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAx8gjQrsOY
Message
The speaker for today’s message is Rev. Mark Faulkner.
https://vimeo.com/643363584
Prayer of response
The prayers and blessing for today are in a video by Ros and Keith Robinson. Please join in with saying the Lord’s Prayer.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and 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.
Blessing
The Spirit of the Lord is upon us! We have been called, we have been anointed, we have been given a task. So go out from this place into the mission field that is the world. We go carrying Good News to the world: news about freedom from oppression and healing for the afflicted. The time of the Lord’s favour is now! Hallelujah! Amen.
Song
The closing hymn, ‘Love’s divine, all loves excelling’, is from Christ Church, St. Ives. If you have problems connecting you can go directly to YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzOnZskeAFA
Fun activities
Advent Calendar
Select the link below and it will take you to an Advent Calendar. It is seems more suited to adults and was prepared by the Canadian Presbyterian Church. A calendar will appear on your screen and when you select the day it will take you to a variety of different things depending on the day: a short video, a recipe, a reflection, game of cards (you make the cards!), etc. An enormous effort went into making this, so why not check it out. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17HgdR37Kec0tcTN6YQNFkSE5W8oiVH96rpbPhDydZ-g/present?slide=id.p
RESOURCES –
All music excerpts in the Vimeo videos were Creative Commons or purchased as royalty free and did not require acknowledgment.
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