Third Sunday of Advent
December 11, 2022 | 10:00am
Rev. Alexander Arthurs, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: We tend to think that joy is not properly religious, but further that it is even the opposite of religion. We tend to think that religion is sitting stiff and antiseptic and a little bored and that joy is laughter and freedom and reaching out our arms to embrace the whole wide and preposterous earth which is so beautiful that sometimes it nearly breaks our hearts. We need to be reminded that at its heart Christianity is joy and that laughter and freedom and the reaching out of arms are the essence of it. | Frederick Buechner
GATHERING
Prelude: Sicilienne, Op. 78 | Fauré
Introit: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence | French Carol
Welcome
Call to Worship
Votum
Our Help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
The Lord be with you.
And also with you!
Into the dry and desolate places of our lives,
God brings salvation.
The desert rejoices and blossoms,
the wilderness teems with life.
Sorrow and sighing will flee:
let us come into God’s presence with singing!
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
*Hymn of Praise: O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Lighting of the Joy Candle
Call to Confession
Prayer of Confession
Magnificent God,
it is easy to rejoice at
the wilderness bursting into bloom
and the hungry being filled with good things.
We may not want
the powerful to be brought down
or the rich to be sent away empty.
We know that sometimes, we are the powerful.
Sometimes, we are the rich.
Sometimes we are the ones with privilege,
ignoring and harming those you would lift up.
Forgive us, humble us, and refocus us,
that we may follow your way of life and truth.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
There is nothing and no one
that is too far gone for God to redeem.
There is no land too parched
that God cannot make streams of living water flow.
Beloved, we are forgiven!
Alleluia! Thanks be to God!
The Law of God: Matthew 22:37-40
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Anthem Long the Days of Waiting | Shepperd
Children’s Choir Christmas Medley | arr. Fukuda
Christmas Makes Me Sing! | Jennings
Prayer for Illumination
Joyous God,
fill us with your Spirit,
that we might be vessels of your
joy in this broken and hurting world
that you so love. Amen.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 11:2-11
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Hymn: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
Second Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Prophetic Preparation: Joy” | Pastor Alex
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering: Bethlehem Down | Warlock
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with Lord’s Prayer)
Gathered here, in the house of the Lord, let us pray for the coming of Christ’s realm. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for joy to overtake your church . . . Bring joy, O God, to the body of Christ; strengthen our hearts, teach us patience, and make us messengers of hope. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for joy to overtake your earth . . . Bring joy, O God, throughout the world; feed the hungry, set captives free, and give justice to the oppressed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for joy to overtake every nation . . . Bring joy, O God, to every land; teach us to love righteousness and lift up those who are bowed down. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for the joy to overtake this community . . . Bring joy, O God, to our town; watch over travelers and strangers, and uphold the lonely and vulnerable. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for joy to overtake our loved ones … Bring joy, O God, to all your children; bless us with life, health, and prosperity so that we may praise you all our days. (names read) Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Bring joy, O God, to the world you have made, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is coming in glory to reign in fullness of joy...
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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
Hymn: You Shall Go Out With Joy
Benediction
Postlude: Good Christians Rejoice |arr. Jordan
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Mark your calendars now to pick up these important items
and bring to church by the dates listed:
Sunday, December 4 - gallon(s) whole milk
Sunday, December 11– eggs
Sunday, December 18 - gallon(s) whole milk
We are changing our Online Giving System to a more efficient and church-friendly platform. If you would like to continue giving online or would like to set up online payments, please click the “Give Now” button below to set up your online gifts. If you have any questions or need help setting up payments, please contact the church office. We are so grateful for your flexibility as we make this change. Your generosity drives our mission forward!
• Email: office@peapackreformed.org • phone: (908) 234-2733 •
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED