The Third Sunday of Advent

(Edit, the video is now added, I hope you enjoy the sermon)

I haven't posted the video of the sermon from this past Sunday yet because, Youtube is having issues.  They are having trouble uploading videos (or at least some users are) and it's not just me because there are comments on the forums concerning the issue.

At any rate, once the video uploads I'll come back and edit this post.  For now I've included at the end of this post the reading for the Candle of "Joy".

We simply can't have 'joy' without already having 'hope' and 'peace' (the peace that God gives us in our hearts).  Joy is a remarkable thing in that true joy goes so very much deeper than just being happy.  Joy goes right down to our very hearts, our very souls.  To know joy is truly one of the most wonderful things we can know in life.  Short only to knowing genuine 'Love' in our lives.

Love of course is the theme for this coming weekends sermon.  Hopefully, Youtube will have their issues remedied soon and I won't have a problem getting that video up before Christmas Eve.

I need to run, may you all be richly blessed today!  And remember to be a blessing to someone today!

Roy 

Third Sunday in Advent: The candle of 'JOY' – December 13, 2015

Reader 1

Listen to the word of God from Isaiah:

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands,
and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.
He will come and save you.”

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,

and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,
the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not pass over it,
and fools shall not err therein.

No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

(Isaiah 35:1-10 RSV)

Reader 2:

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and return not thither but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

“For you shall go out in joy,
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off.”

(Isaiah 55: 10-13 RSV)

Candle-lighter: Light 3 candles (two blue and the pink, the pink candle should be the 3^rd one lit

then announce the Hymn to be sung and the verses to be performed)

Advent Hymn “One Candle Is Lit” No. 128, verses 1, 2 & 3

Reader 1:

As freedom can only be tasted in all its sweetness by those who know the feel of chains, so joy sings with its most full-throated glory only in spirits enlarged by the weight of despair and softened by the brine of tears. Pleasures float on the surface of life. Happiness flits across a moment or an hour. But joy springs from the depths.

Joy is new life beating in a heart that has been broken. Joy is awakening to a fair morning from a nightmare of reality. Joy is a flight sun-ward on wings you had forgotten you had. Joy is the sound of laughter erupting from a procession of grief. Joy is God’s melody amid the discord of life, a song carrying the rhythm of eternity and touching the chords of longing in our souls.

Reader 2: (read responsively)

Reader: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD their God.

We give thanks to you, O God,

for the promise of full joy that this season brings to light.

People: Happy are those whose hope is the God of Jacob,

whose HOPE is in the LORD their God.

Reader: For all the troubles life can bring, in you we find peace,

your Love brings amazing possibilities that fill our hearts with joy.

People: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose PEACE is in the LORD their God.

Reader: Renew in us this day your promise of light after darkness,

hope after despair, peace out of chaos, and joy from despair.

People: Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose JOY is in the LORD their God.

Amen.