welcome to trinity sharing in god’s love 1. 3rd sunday of advent, year a 15th december 2013 2

Welcome to trinity

Sharing In God’s love

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3rd Sunday Of Advent, Year A

15th December 2013

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Service with CommunionSimplified Spoken Form

This Service is a revision of the “Simplified form of the communion service”Released by the LCA Commission on Worship

in 1989.6

Quiet time

for prayer7

Opening sentence

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M: Be patient. Strengthen your hearts, C: for the coming of the Lord is near.

(Jas 5:8 NRSV)

PREPARATION

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

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We sing our opening hymn:

In You is gladness

LH 386 CAL293

In dir ist Freude Johann Lindemann 1549-1631

Tr H F W Proeve (1973) and D A Schubert (1991)

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In You is gladness1. In you is gladnessin all our sadness,Jesus, joy of every heart;by you are givenblessings from heaven,true Redeemer, our delight.

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In You is gladnessOur sins you've taken,our bonds you've broken;trusting you surely,we build securely,we stand for ever. Hallelujah!Our hearts are turningto you with yearning,on you relying,living or dying,we're yours for ever. Hallelujah!

In You is gladness2. In you is calmness;nothing can harm us:world, or death, or Satan's plans.In our distressesyou see and bless us;you have all things in your hands.

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In You is gladnessOur heart rejoices,we lift our voices,singing your glory,telling your storynow and for ever. Hallelujah!With adoration,in celebration,we love and praise you,eagerly raise youglad hymns for ever. Hallelujah!

†

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

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M: Friends in Christ: let us draw near to God our Father with a true heart to confess our sins, and ask him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.

Confession and absolution

C: We confess that we are born in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves.

We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have failed to do. »

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We have not loved you with our whole heart, and we have not loved our neighbour as ourselves.

We deserve your eternal punishment. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. »

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Forgive us, renew us, and lead us,

so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.

Amen.

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CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

M: Upon your confession, as a called and ordained servant of the word, I announce the grace of God to all of you. On behalf of my Lord Jesus Christ, and by his command, I forgive the sins of all of you who repent and believe, in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.

Peace be with you.C: Amen.

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Liturgy of the WORD

greeting

M: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray that we receive Christ with joy.

C: Jesus, our promised Messiah, John the Baptist went ahead of you and proclaimed the good news of your coming.

Encourage us to receive you with joy as our redeemer, and faithfully follow you.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

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FIRST READING

R: The first reading for the third Sunday of Advent is written in Chapter thirty five of Isaiah beginning at verse one.

Isaiah 35:1-10 CEV

God himself will come to save us

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Isaiah 35:1-10

Thirsty deserts will be glad; barren lands will celebrate and blossom with flowers. 2Deserts will bloom everywhere and sing joyful songs. They will be as majestic as Mount Lebanon, as glorious as Mount Carmel or Sharon Valley. Everyone will see the wonderful splendour of the LORD our God.

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Isaiah 35:1-10

3Here is a message for all who are weak, trembling, and worried: 4"Cheer up! Don't be afraid. Your God is coming to punish your enemies. God will take revenge on them and rescue you."

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Isaiah 35:1-10

5The blind will see, and the ears of the deaf will be healed. 6Those who were lame will leap around like deer; tongues once silent will begin to shout.

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Isaiah 35:1-10

Water will rush through the desert. 7Scorching sand will turn into a lake, and thirsty ground will flow with fountains. Grass will grow in wetlands, where packs of wild dogs once made their home.

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Isaiah 35:1-10

8A good road will be there, and it will be named "God's Sacred Highway." It will be for God's people; no one unfit to worship God will walk on that road. And no fools can travel on that highway. 9No lions or other wild animals will come near that road; only those the LORD has saved will travel there.

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Isaiah 35:1-10

10The people the LORD has rescued will come back singing as they enter Zion. Happiness will be a crown they will always wear. They will celebrate and shout because all sorrows and worries will be gone far away.

This is the Word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 146:5-10 CEV

R: The Psalm is Psalm 146.5The LORD God of Jacob blesses

everyone who trusts him and depends on him.

C: 6God made heaven and earth; he created the sea and everything else. God always keeps his word.

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Psalm 146:5-10 CEV

R: 7He gives justice to the poor and food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free

C: 8and heals blind eyes. He gives a helping hand to everyone who falls. The LORD loves good people

R: 9and looks after strangers. He defends the rights of orphans and widows, but destroys the wicked.

Psalm 146:5-10 CEV

C: 10The LORD God of Zion will rule forever! Shout praises to the LORD!

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit;

As it was in the beginning is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

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Second reading

R: The Second reading is written in Chapter five of James beginning at verse seven.

James 5:7-10 CEV

Do not lose heart

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James 5:7-10

R: 7My friends, be patient until the Lord returns.

Think of farmers who wait patiently for the spring and summer rains to make their valuable crops grow. 8Be patient like those farmers and don't give up.

The Lord will soon be here!

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James 5:7-10

9Don't grumble about each other or you will be judged, and the judge is right outside the door.

10My friends, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They were patient, even when they had to suffer.

This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

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C: Alleluia, alleluia.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has sent me to bring good news to the poor.

Alleluia.(Luke 4:18)

LIGHTING OF ADVENT CANDLE

Week Three: The Candle of Joy

Opening Liturgy: Based on Psalm 33:1-5

R: Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;

C: it is fitting for the upright to praise him.




R: : Praise the LORD with the harp; C: make music to him on the ten-

stringed lyre. R: : Sing to him a new song; C: play skilfully, and shout for joy.




R: : For the word of the LORD is right and true;

C: he is faithful in all he does. R: : The LORD loves righteousness and

justice; C: the earth is full of his unfailing love.

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gospel

M: The Holy Gospel is written in chapter eleven of the Gospel according to St Matthew beginning at verse two.

C: Glory be to You O Lord

Matthew 11:2-11 CEV

Jesus and John the Baptist

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Matthew 11:2-11 2John was in prison when he heard

what Christ was doing. So John sent some of his followers 3to ask Jesus, "Are you the one we should be looking for? Or must we wait for someone else?”

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Matthew 11:2-11 4Jesus answered, "Go and tell John

what you have heard and seen. 5The blind are now able to see, and the lame can walk. People with leprosy are being healed, and the deaf can hear. The dead are raised to life, and the poor are hearing the good news. 6God will bless everyone who doesn't reject me because of what I do.”

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Matthew 11:2-11 7As John's followers were going away,

Jesus spoke to the crowds about John:

What sort of person did you go out into the desert to see? Was he like tall grass blown about by the wind?

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Matthew 11:2-11 8What kind of man did you go out to

see? Was he someone dressed in fine clothes? People who dress like that live in the king's palace.

9What did you really go out to see? Was he a prophet? He certainly was. I tell you that he was more than a prophet.

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Matthew 11:2-11

• 10In the Scriptures God says about him, "I am sending my messenger ahead of you to get things ready for you." 11I tell you that no one ever born on this earth is greater than John the Baptist. But whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.

This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise be to You O Christ.

Prayer after gospel

M: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for coming as the promised Messiah.

Help us to receive you in joyful faith.

C: Amen.

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APOSTLES’ CREED

C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

APOSTLE’S CREED

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead.

APOSTLES’ CREED

He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty, from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy christian* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

*or: ‘catholic’ here means ‘universal’

We sing:

Comfort, comfort all my people

LHS 732 CAL293

Based on Isaiah 40: 1-5

Robin Mann 1949- (1975)

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Comfort, comfort all my peoplewith the comfort of my Word.Speak it tender to my people:All your sins are taken away.

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1. Though your tears be rivers running,

though your tears be an ocean full,though you cry with the hurt of

living:comfort, comfort.Every valley shall be lifted,every mountain shall be low,every rough place will be smoother:comfort, comfort:

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2. Though your eyes see only darkness,

though your eyes can see no light,though your eyes see pain and

sorrow:comfort, comfort.Every night will have its morning,every pain will have an end,every burden will be lightened:comfort, comfort:

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†

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Sermon

hymn

We Sing as our freewill offering is received:

Come, Lord Jesus, come

LHS 731 CAL293

Robin Mann 1949- (1976)


Come, Lord Jesus, come into this weary world.

O, how we long for you to come, Lord, come.


1. Wars have come and wars have gone;

come, Lord, come!Still the cry goes up, ‘How long?’Come, Lord, come!Come, Lord Jesus, come into this

weary world.O, how we long for you to come, Lord,

come.


2. Hearts are breaking, tears fall down;come, Lord, come!Come and free us, we are bound.Come, Lord, come.Come, Lord Jesus, come into this


come.


3. Darkness grows as night wears on;come, Lord, come!Will we live to see the dawn?Come, Lord, come!Come, Lord Jesus, come into this


come.


4. Nations rise and nations fall;come, Lord, come!God is with us through it all.Come, Lord, come!Come, Lord Jesus, come into this


come. †

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Offering prayer

C: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank you for all the good things you have given us.

Teach us to serve you with patience and with compassion to one another and all people.

Amen.

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCHCall to prayer

M: Jesus told his disciples: 'Go back and report to John what you hear and see. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised.' Let us pray to our loving heavenly Father.

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCHThe response,

M: Let us pray to the Lord.

C: Lord, may your kingdom come.Concluding prayer

M: Into your hands, Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy;

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

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LITURGY OF THE

LORD'S SUPPER

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PREFACE

M: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them to the Lord.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

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PREFACE

M: It is indeed right and good, Lord God, holy Father, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. You fulfilled your promise to comfort your people by sending Jesus the Redeemer, and to make all things new through him when he comes to judge the world and set it right.

•

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PREFACE

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven, we adore and praise your glorious name:

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might;

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

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LORD’S PRAYER

C: 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.

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

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LORD’S PRAYER

C: For the kingdom,

the power,

and the glory are yours

now and forever.

Amen.

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WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, and said: Take and eat; this is † my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

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WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: In the same way he took the cup, after the supper, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, Drink of it, all of you; this is † my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

COMMUNION INVITATION

M: Blessed are those who have been invited

to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

C: Thanks be to God.

M: Come, everything is ready.

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LAMB OF God C: Lamb of God, you take away the

sin of the world;have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the

sin of the world;grant us peace.

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During the distribution the Minister or his assistant says:

Take and eat, this is the body of Christ, given for you.

Take and drink, this is the blood of Christ, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.

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DISMISSAL

M: The body of our Lord Jesus Christ and his precious blood strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life eternal. Go in peace.†

C: Amen.

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POST-COMMUNION Prayer

C: Almighty and merciful God, each year you make us glad as we look forward to the birthday of your Son.

May we who have joyfully received him as our redeemer in this sacrament confidently face him when he comes to be our judge.

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POST-COMMUNION Prayer

For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

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CONCLUSION : BLESSING

M: Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, shine on you and make you ready to meet him when he comes in glory .

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favour,† and give you peace. C: Amen.

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DISMISSAL

M: Go in peace. Wait for the Lord with patience, and stand firm.

C: In the name of Christ. Amen.

We Sing our closing hymn:

O for a thousand tongues to sing”

V 1,2,6-8

LHS 159 CAL 293

Charles Wesley 1707-88, alt.

O for a thousand tongues to sing

1. O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise, the glories of our God and King, the triumphs of his grace.


2. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease; such music in the sinner's ears is life, and health, and peace.


6. He speaks, and listening to his voice new life the dead receive, the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.


7. Hear him, you deaf; his praise, you dumb, your loosened tongues employ; you blind, behold your Saviour come; and leap, you lame, for joy!


8. My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim, to spread through all the earth abroad the honours of your name.

†

Go in peace. Wait for the Lord

with patience, and stand firm.

Please stay a while

and have a cuppa

and chat with us.

welcome to trinity sharing in god’s love 1. 3rd sunday of advent, year a 15th december 2013 2

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