Sunday December 11th, 2022, The 3rd Sunday of Advent, Joy

Prelude Christian L. Kalb, Organist Organ Selections Gathering Words for Advent Minister Call to Worship Minister & People Leader: Rejoice! God’s promises are ever near. ----People: We wait for Christ’s birth with patience. Leader: Rejoice! God’s strength is with us. ----People: We rest in the power of God’s mighty love. Leader: Rejoice! We gather in the joy of our salvation. ----People: In this love we gather to worship and pray. ----All: Our Redeemer is coming! Make straight the way of the Lord! As we prepare for His coming, we anticipate the arrival with Joy. Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle 1st Scripture Reading Minister Isaiah 35:1-10 (Pew Bible pg. 629 OT) Litany of Joy (Read Responsively) Minister & People Leader: We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Joy. ----People: May the joyful promise of your presence, O God, make us rejoice in our hope of salvation. Leader: May the Joy of Christ fill our hearts and minds. ----People: May the joy of our salvation spread to our neighbors and our communities until all the world chimes into our shouts of praise. Advent Hymn Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming CH#160 Invocation & Lord’s Prayer Minister & People 2nd Scripture Reading Minister Luke 1:46b-55 (Pew Bible pg. 54 NT) Words of Assurance/Call to Prayer Minister Prayer Concerns People Prayer Hymn Joyce Haug I Call Him Lord Pastoral Prayer for Advent Minister Special Music Choir Hurry to Bethlehem The Lord’s Supper Communion Meditation Minister Communion Hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You #174 Communion Prayer Elder Serving of the Elements Deacons Words of Institution Minister Partaking of the Elements All Call to Give Elder Collections of Offerings Deacons Doxology Prayer Elder 3rd Scripture Reading Minster Matthew 11:2-11 (Pew Bible pg. 10 NT) Sermon Minister Joy in the Midst of Darkness Hymn of Sending Joy to the World #173 Benediction Minister Postlude Organist Announcements: ---Mill Creek worship services are now being streamed live on YouTube. The link to YouTube can be found on the Mill Creek Christian Church, Disciples of Christ Facebook page. Archived services are also available on YouTube for viewing at your convenience. ---The Food Bank item for December is Cake or Brownie Mix. ---Sunday December 11 – 3rd Sunday in Advent; Joy is the theme for the day; Board meeting after church ---Sunday December 18 – 4th Sunday in Advent; Love is the theme for the day; Special Christmas Offerings will be received; Limestone Chorale Christmas Concert at 1st Presbyterian Church, 3:00pm; Mill Creek Kid’s Christmas Program, 6:00pm ---Wednesday December 21 – Longest Night Service at Mill Creek at 6:00pm. ---Saturday December 24 – Christmas Eve services at Flemingsburg Christian Church at 5:00 & 9:00pm; at May’s Lick Christian Church at 9:00pm ---Sunday December 25 – CHRISTMAS DAY! No Sunday School classes; Special Worship Service at 11:00am; children of all ages are encouraged to bring a favorite Christmas gift for a Blessing of the Gifts ---Sunday January 1 – NEW YEAR’S DAY; 2nd Sunday of Christmastide