December 13 – Advent 3

December 13 – Advent 3

 

Lectionary

 

Zephaniah 3:14–20

Sing, Daughter of Zion; God comes to bring you home.

 

Isaiah 12:2–6 (VU p. 880)

Proclaim God’s deeds to the nations.

 

Philippians 4:4–7

Rejoice in God always! Again I say, Rejoice!

 

Luke 3:7–18

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

What’s the difference between a house and a home? Are all homes houses? What makes your home feel warm and safe? If you were in God’s 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 today’s 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              “There’s a voice in the                         wilderness”

MV 155           “Unbounded Spirit, breath of                God”

Other Music

MV 33             “Jesus came bringing us hope”             (possible introit)