December 14, 2025
Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2025 Livestream Worship Online Bulletin
Bringing in the Light of Christ
Chiming of the Trinity
Prelude
The Coventry Carol arr. Jason Tonioli
Welcome
Call to Worship
In this season of shadows and scattered light,
We come longing for joy that does not depend on circumstances.
The Holy One meets us in our longing,
Restoring weary spirits and renewing faint hope.
Today, we remember that joy is not a feeling we must manufacture—
It is a gift that rises from God’s steadfast love.
Come, let us draw near to the One who brings good news to the poor, comfort to the brokenhearted, and liberation to all who wait.
We come to worship the God who clothes us with garments of joy. Amen.
Hymn
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed UMH#203
Please sing stanzas 1, 2, 3
Blessing of the Advent Wreath
The Lighting of the Advent Wreath Candles - Joy that rises from within
The Tony Payne Family
We light this candle as a sign of joy. May it remind us that Christ’s light shines through every circumstance, and that joy is born anew each morning.
A Reading from the Old Testament
Isaiah 35:1-10
Responsive Psalm
Psalm 146:5-10 UMH p.858
Please sing the response
Duet
Who Is This Tiny Child? arr. Jay Althouse
Jane Patterson and Scott Sprinkle
A Reading from the Gospels
Matthew 11:2-11
Sermon
Joy That Finds Us | Rev. Kelly Dotson
Concerns and Prayers with the Lord’s Prayer for Advent
Holy One,
Maker of the dawn and Keeper of every waiting heart,
your presence draws near in ways gentle and surprising.
Your kin-dom comes among us like light that grows,
like hope that refuses to be extinguished.
Let your dreams for the world take root in us—
dreams of justice, mercy, and shared bread;
dreams where every child is cherished,
and every elder is honored; where the hungry are filled,
and the weary can finally rest.
Give us what we need for this day—
enough courage to show up with honesty,
enough compassion to love our neighbor,
enough strength to take the next faithful step.
Forgive us when fear closes our fists or hardens our hearts;
heal the harm we’ve done,
and soften us to offer grace to those who wound us,
as freely as you have offered grace to us.
Guide our feet away from the paths
that lead to despair, violence, or indifference.
Make straight the highways of our hearts
that Christ may enter in.
Deliver us from all that steals our joy
and all that dims your light within us.
For your kin-dom is breaking in—
a kin-dom of hope, peace, joy, and love—
now and forever.
Amen.
Blessing of the Tithes and Offerings
What can I give him poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
Hymn
Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates UMH#213
Please sing stanzas 1, 2, 3
Blessing and Sharing of Christ’s Light
Postlude
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear arr. James Koerts
Today’s Worship Participants
Our Pastor: Rev. Kelly Dotson
Music Director: Dr. Joel Reed
Pianist: Patty Higgins