December 13 Advent 3
Lectionary
Zephaniah 3:1420
Sing, Daughter of Zion; God
comes to bring you home.
Isaiah 12:26 (VU p. 880)
Proclaim Gods deeds to the
nations.
Philippians 4:47
Rejoice in God always! Again
I say, Rejoice!
Luke 3:718
John warns the crowds, You
brood of vipers!
Spark
Write some of the
names for God (the Lord, Creator, Ancient of Days, etc.) on separate pieces of
paper; pass them out to people and ask them to read them at an appropriate time
during worship
With Children
Whats the
difference between a house and a home? Are all homes houses? What makes your
home feel warm and safe? If you were in Gods home, how would you know it? What
would it be like? What would be there to make you feel loved and safe?
Sermon Starter
Sadly, we have
lost the sense of urgency that the early church gave to the gospel. In todays
gospel reading there is a great deal of energy and intentionality: And the
crowds asked him, What then should we do? Even the tax collectors (the
collaborators) and the soldiers (the occupiers) asked the question, What
should we do?
How do we ask the
question? How do we return the urgency and the universality, the energy back
into the gospel? The readings suggest that it is not in the past (
the axe is
lying at the root of the trees), but rather a dynamic embracing of the promise
of homecoming of which Zephaniah speaks. God in our midst means more than just
asking questions; God in our midst, Emmanuel, means healing the scars of
pollution, injustice, and hate. Coming home must surely mean returning to the household
of the Divine where there is a safe place for all.
Hymns
Hebrew
Scriptures
VU 2 Come,
thou long-expected Jesus
VU 25 Lo,
he comes with clouds descending
Psalm
VU 326 O for a
thousand tongues
MV 109 My
soul is thirsting for you
Epistle
VU 249 Rejoice in
the Lord always
MV 81 Love
us into fullness
Gospel
VU 18 Theres a
voice in the wilderness
MV 155 Unbounded
Spirit, breath of God
Other Music
MV 33 Jesus came
bringing us hope (possible introit)