P. The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, C. because the Lord has anointed me; P. he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, C. to bind up the

P. The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, C. because the Lord has anointed me; P. he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, C. to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour. Opening Words (Isa 61:1a,b, 2a NRSV)

P: We begin our worship in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

WE PRAISE YOU, O GOD LHS 887

We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, creator; In grateful devotion our tribute we bring. We lay it before you, we kneel and adore you; We bless your holy name, glad praises we sing. 1 of 3

We worship you, God of our fathers, we bless you; Through trial and tempest our guide you have been. When perils oertake us, you will not forsake us, and with your help, O Lord, our struggles we win. 2 of 3

With voices united our praises we offer and gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise. With you, Lord, beside us, your strong arm will guide us; To you, our great redeemer, for ever be praise 3 of 3

P. Even John the Baptist asked Jesus, Are you the one weve been waiting for? All of the hopes and dreams of Gods children were wrapped up in that question.

C. And the answer was, yes, the Hope of the Nations was there, and is here. P. Let this fire remind us that while we wait for the Lord, truly the Lord is already here. C. Hope is here. Love is here. Joy is here. Family, is here.

P: We now light the third Advent Candle as we continue to wait in anticipation for the coming of our Lord.

P. We are all born weak and helpless. All lead the same short, troubled life. We grow and wither as quickly as the flowers; we disappear like shadows. C. O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful God, have mercy on us.

P. In the midst of life we are in death. To whom can we go for help, but to you, Lord God, though you are rightly displeased because of our sins? C. O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful God, have mercy on us.

P. You know the secrets of our hearts; mercifully hear us, most worthy judge eternal; keep us, at our last hour, in the consolation of your love. C. O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful God, have mercy on us.

O Lord God, your mercies are always new. Give us the Spirit of your dear Son, so that in the day of judgment we may stand in your presence as your forgiven people, despite our sins, as your faithful people, despite our failures, and as those who have been claimed by your Son through faith, although we have not deserved him.

On that day may the same Christ, who has redeemed our lives, also plead our cause before your throne of grace. In his name we pray. C. Amen.

Psalm 126 (NIV) P.When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. C.Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. P.Then it was said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.

Psalm 126 (NIV) C.The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. P.Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negev. C.Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. P.He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

ALL: Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning is now and will be for ever- more. Amen.

P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (Let us pray that we may receive Christ with joy. [silence])

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

First Reading Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The good news of Gods deliverance (after the reading) L: This is the word of the Lord C: Thanks be to God

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 Ready for the coming of the Lord (after the reading) L: This is the word of the Lord C: Thanks be to God

Gospel Reading John 1: 6-8, 19-28 He who comes after me stands among you P: This is the Gospel of our Risen Lord C: Thanks be to God

The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. 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. 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.

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.

IN CHRIST ALONE

In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light my strength my song This Cornerstone this solid Ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love what depths of peace When fears are stilled when strivings cease My Comforter my All in All Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone who took on flesh Fullness of God in helpless babe This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save Till on that cross as Jesus died The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave He rose again And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me For I am His and He is mine Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life no fear in death This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny No power of hell no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home Here in the power of Christ I'll stand. Keith Getty | Stuart Townend 2001 Thankyou Music CCLI Licence # 225140

SERMON

SOCKS & HANDKERCHIEFS Week 3: Gift Received

JOHN 1:1 - 14 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

JOHN 1:1 - 14 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God.

JOHN 1:1 - 14 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Receive = (paralamban) = to take to oneself / to embrace or grasp hold of something / to make it ones own

I. WE RECEIVE THE GIFT WITH HUMILITY, BECAUSE WE COULD NEVER AFFORD THIS GIFT

ROMANS 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, will not perish but have everlasting life! (John 3:16)

ELLIS CRUM He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay; I needed someone to wash my sins away. And, now, I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace. Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.

II.WE RECEIVE THE GIFT WITH JOYFUL GRATITUDE, BECAUSE WE DONT DESERVE THIS GIFT

SOCKS & HANDKERCHIEFS Week 3: Gift Received

GALATIANS 4:4-5 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

WHAT IS ADOPTION? a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of anotherfrom that person's biological or legal parent or parents, and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities adoption is intended to effect a permanent change in status

GALATIANS 4:4-7 7 So you are no longer a slave, but Gods child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

JOHN 1:12-13 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husbands will, but born of God.

EPHESIANS 2:8 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

JOHN 14:3 I go to prepare a place for you. If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

When the race of life is over; The journey of this life complete; Welcomed home by our Saviour; Completely at rest at His feet. He will receive us, who have received Him; Will welcome us home at last Ever at rest in our Jesus arms; The labours of life ever past. (W. George)

During this next song, your offering for the work of the Lord will be received

CCLI Song # 25321 Edward Hodges | Henry Van Dyke | Ludwig van Beethoven Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain

Joyful joyful we adore Thee God of glory Lord of love Hearts unfold like flowrs before Thee Opening to the sun above Melt the clouds of sin and sadness Drive the dark of doubt away Giver of immortal gladness Fill us with the light of day

All Thy works with joy surround Thee Earth and heavn reflect Thy rays Stars and angels sing around Thee Center of unbroken praise Field and forest vale and mountain Flowery meadow flashing sea Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee

Thou art giving and forgiving Ever blessing ever blest Wellspring of the joy of living Ocean depth of happy rest Thou our Father Christ our Brother All who live in love are Thine Teach us how to love each other Lift us to the joy divine

Mortals join the mighty chorus Which the morning stars began Father love is reigning o'er us Brother love binds man to man Ever singing march we onward Victors in the midst of strife Joyful music lifts us sunward In the triumph song of life

Offertory Prayer 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.

We welcome Grant and Cathy Wills into Membership

Silent Reflection In preparation for Holy Communion

P: The Lord be with you C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them up to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Holy Communion P: 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. And so, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we adore and praise your glorious name:

Holy Communion C: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Words of Institution P: On the night He was betrayed.. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. C:Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

The Lords Prayer 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. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

P:The peace of the Lord be with you always. C:Amen. THE PEACE

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. THE LAMB OF GOD

Invitation P: The holy things of God, for the holy people of God. Come, for all things are now ready

The Distribution If this is what you believe, then you are welcome to partake in Holy Communion, whether you are a member of this congregation or not. Holy Communion is for believers in Jesus who desire to receive Gods forgiveness and believe that Christ is present in this celebration as they eat the bread and drink the wine.

Prayer after Holy Communion Most loving Father, you have shown how much you care for us by feeding us with the body and blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ. Keep us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no cloud may hide from us the light of your love in Jesus Christ our Lord. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Sending Out P: May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ...

The Blessing P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious towards you. The Lord look upon you with favour and give you peace. C: Amen.

1. Lord, the light of your love is shining 1. Lord, the light of your love is shining In the midst of the darkness, shining Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us Set us free by the truth you now bring us Shine on me, shine on me Shine on me, shine on me

Shine, Jesus, shine Fill this land with the Fathers glory Blaze, Spirit, blaze set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow Flood the nations with grace and mercy Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light. Send forth your word, Lord and let there be light.

2. Lord, I come to your awesome presence 2. Lord, I come to your awesome presence From the shadows into your radiance From the shadows into your radiance By the blood I may enter your brightness By the blood I may enter your brightness Search me, try me, consume all my darkness Search me, try me, consume all my darkness Shine on me, shine on me Shine on me, shine on me

3. As we gaze on your kingly brightness So our faces display your likeness So our faces display your likeness Ever changing from glory to glory Ever changing from glory to glory Mirrored here may our lives tell your story Mirrored here may our lives tell your story Shine on me, shine on me: Shine on me, shine on me:

You may stand for silent prayer as the Bell is rung

Advent reminds us that our whole life ought to be a time of preparing for Christs return

Documents

P. The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, C. because the Lord has anointed me; P. he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, C. to bind up the