Advent 3 -- Candlelighting -- Year C [PDF]

Advent Candle Lighting Service
Third Sunday of Advent

Hymn                         With Joy Draw Water                                                                TNCH  109

Leader One:     We move from one task to another,
                        from one responsibility to another.
                        The holidays may wear us out with
                        Worries about preparations, about family relationships,
                        About money, about presents!

People:            We are scattered and busy about too many things.

Leader Two:     We call out in our fatigue:

People:            Where is your joy, O God?
                        Where is your gift of presence in our lives? 

 Leader One:     We remind our selves of Paul's ancient advice:
                        Celebrate God all day….revel in God!
                        Help [everyone] see that the Master is about to arrive!...    
                        Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.
                        Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,
                        letting God know your concerns.
                        Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness,
                        everything coming together for good,
                        will come and settle you down.
                        It is wonderful what happens
                        when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Philippians 4: 4-7 adapted from The Message © 2002 Eugene H. Peterson;
reproduced with permission

Leader Two:     Let us light this third candle of Advent, a candle of Joy.
                        In its light, let us turn our worries into prayers
                        for God to be present to us right now,
                        as we prepare for the coming of Christ.
                        In a few words, let’s share those prayers with each other.

People:            Share briefly

Leader One:     Let this candle of Advent Joy
                        shine in our hearts all week to remind us
                        to pray and praise and place Christ at the center this season.

Song                          The Universe is Bending                      Sing! Prayer and Praise 88

                                    The Universe is bending,
                                    Stretching long and stretching out,
                                    Embracing all our struggles with
                                    Gentle arms of Hope.

                                    The Universe is bending,
                                    stretching long and stretching out
                                    And it’s leading toward Wholeness
                                    By the Clear Light of Love.

            Words: Jeremy McLeod © 2006. All rights reserved.  Used by permission.   

Rejoice! Advent Three Candlelighting Service was written by the Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Worship, Liturgy and Spiritual Formation, LCM.
Copyright 2009 Local Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.