{"id":1872,"date":"2020-12-13T04:10:23","date_gmt":"2020-12-13T04:10:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/?p=1872"},"modified":"2020-12-13T04:10:29","modified_gmt":"2020-12-13T04:10:29","slug":"worship-for-the-third-sunday-of-advent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2020\/12\/13\/worship-for-the-third-sunday-of-advent\/","title":{"rendered":"Worship for the Third Sunday of Advent"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady<br \/>\nWorship for the Third Sunday of Advent<\/h1>\n<h2>December 13, 2020<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Page-2-Image-2-3.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Sue Learner<\/p>\n<h2>Getting Centered<\/h2>\n<p>It may help to center yourself into worship by lighting a candle, as a symbol of God&#8217;s presence with you during the time of worship.  You may also want to pay attention to lighting, the position of your body, and the availability of distractions.<\/p>\n<h3>Breath Prayer<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cJoy of our hearts, come alive in us.\u201d<br \/>\n<em>Breath prayers involve breathing in the first phrase, and breathing out the second.<br \/>\nYou may wish to simply pray for a moment before starting, or you may wish to pray while listening to the prelude.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Prelude<\/h3>\n<p><strong>\u201cPastorale on \u201cWake, Awake, For Night is Flying\u201d by Wayne Wold<\/strong><br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pastorale on &quot;Wake, Awake, For Night Is Flying&quot;   Wayne Wold\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sXYb8kA3MLA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Call to Worship<\/h3>\n<p>One: The Spirit of the God is with us.<br \/>\n<strong>Many: We are sent by God to bring good news to the oppressed,<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: to bind up the brokenhearted,<br \/>\n<strong>Many: to proclaim liberty to the captives,<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: to proclaim release to the prisoners,<br \/>\n<strong>Many: to comfort all who mourn,<\/strong><br \/>\nOne: to proclaim God,<br \/>\n<strong>Many: and to speak that God is good.<\/strong><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Page-3-Image-4.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #206: <em>I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light<\/em><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hymn 206: I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/HnRsU7fbsCY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Lighting of the Advent Wreath<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Advent Wreath Week 3\" width=\"1140\" height=\"855\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-vuAIhK2cKI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Page-3-Image-3-4.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Alice Nash<\/p>\n<h2>Connecting in Prayer<\/h2>\n<h3>Shared Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><strong><br \/>\nJoy of Our Hearts,<br \/>\nYour passionate love for all of creation is the source of our joy.<br \/>\nYour continued work to care for all,<br \/>\nin us and in many, brings us hope.<br \/>\nYour gift of peace makes our work with you possible.<br \/>\nMay we see and savor all the joy around us,<br \/>\nsoak it in,<br \/>\nand share it!<br \/>\nAmen<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Silent Prayer<\/h3>\n<h3>Pastoral Prayer<\/h3>\n<p><em>You are welcome to read this out-loud or silently.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\nJoy of our Hearts,<br \/>\nIn these December days, we notice the difference a sunny day makes in our hearts. Our whole beings take note when the sun shines, and it is easier to see the joy. As snow flurries dance around us, we see the beauty in shapes and outlines, and are reminded of the impact small flakes have on the whole landscape.<br \/>\nIn these December days, we notice the early sunsets, the long evenings, and the cloudy days. Sometimes the darkness is<br \/>\na beautiful backdrop for twinkling lights, sometimes the darkness is a soft and gentle cradle for our grief and anger,<br \/>\nsometimes the darkness is heavy, oppressive and exhausting. Just about everything can be exhausting right now.<br \/>\nIn these days with illness and grief swirling around us, intermingled with anxiety and fear, there is a temptation to lose sight of joy, and yet into this moment comes this Sunday of Joy.<br \/>\nSo, dear Source of Joy, guide us to notice all the gifts around us. Help us to see wonder and delight.<br \/>\nShow us how to savor goodness and joy. May gratitude for all that is good be our mantra this week, and may we notice the ways you are moving us towards healing and life.<br \/>\nAmen<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h3>The Lord&#8217;s Prayer<\/h3>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Our Father who art in heaven,<br \/>\nHallowed be thy name.<br \/>\nThy kingdom come.<br \/>\nThy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.<br \/>\nGive us this day our daily bread.<br \/>\nAnd forgive us our trespasses,<br \/>\nas we forgive those who trespass against us.<br \/>\nAnd lead us not into temptation,<br \/>\nbut deliver us from evil:<br \/>\nFor thine is the kingdom, and the power,<br \/>\nand the glory, for ever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2>Word and Reflection<\/h2>\n<h3>Choir Anthem<\/h3>\n<p><em>Carol for Advent<\/em> by Don Besig\/Nancy Price<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Carol for Advent\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MYuyb9YyX2I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uKdo_K18wXY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Mission Moment<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Alternative Giving &#8211; Heifer International<\/strong><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Page-5-Image-7.png\"><br \/>\nHeifer International began in 1944 when a farmer in Indiana understood that it would be more effective to rebuild countries after World War II by donating animals than by sending milk. A family was given a heifer, a goat, or another animal along with education about how to take care of the animal. Then the recipient was expected to give away an<br \/>\noffspring of that animal. So Heifer Project was known for the \u201cgift that multiplies.\u201d<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Page-5-Image-6.png\"><br \/>\nTheir current mission statement is: \u201cWe work to end hunger and poverty in partnership with the communities we serve. Our programs support entrepreneurs around the world, creating lasting change from the ground up. It begins with a seed investment of livestock or agriculture, followed by mentorship to help project participants build a business, and ultimately to gain access to supply chains and markets. These families are able to earn a living income and continuously lift up their communities as they train the next generation of leaders. By supporting and training the world\u2019s farmers, ranchers, and female business owners, we\u2019re investing in a new breed of success.\u201d<br \/>\nTheir projects are worldwide and include empowerment of women farmers in Nepal and Guatemala, dairy development in East Africa, and support of farmers\u2019 cooperatives in Arkansas. The website, heifer.org, highlights many more projects and is very interesting.<br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Page-6-Image-9.png\"><br \/>\nAlternative gifts can be given by donating through the church online or with a check made out to FUMC with Heifer in the notation. Or it is more fun to go to Heifer\u2019s website and click \u201cgift catalog.\u201d Then you can choose an animal, bees, seeds or other product, which you are giving in honor of someone. My brother-in-law was really pleased when we<br \/>\ngave a water buffalo in his honor! And I \u201creceived\u201d a flock of chicks one year. If you give this way, you will be able to create an honor card so that the person you are honoring will know of your gift.<\/p>\n<h3>Children&#8217;s Time<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Giving and Receiving Joy (Children&#039;s Time)\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GLalK9sYPd0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Passing of the Peace<\/h3>\n<p><em>If you are worshiping with others, please pass the Peace of Christ.<br \/>\nWhether you are alone or with others, please take a moment to find God&#8217;s peace within, and then to share it with the world. You may want to reach out to speak peace to another during this week.<\/em><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Page-6-Image-7.png\"><\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #211: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel  (11am, webstream)\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ohZm-4DzHug?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/page\/fetch\/CGH2010\/77\/low\"><\/p>\n<h3>Scripture Reading &#8211; Luke 1:46b-55<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Luke 1:46b-55\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2jK24g-OHLI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Sermon &#8211; Rev. Sara Baron<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\u201cMagnificent Magnificat\u201d\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/fCeZV9vJh34?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Responding<\/h2>\n<h3>Offering<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Page-7-Image-8.png\"><br \/>\nPhoto by Alice Nash<br \/>\nIf you wish, you are welcome to use this time to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eservicepayments.com\/cgi-bin\/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=3_CMn6vY3gbXWj2GvkW32xVh5LubqSJdgKX6KHFre1VuMdS3Q8kj_eIJXGJN8RG-0gmHZvX_Lw1ha8ZXgn-54Krv7ImQMfM68o70RRXIZtDlvXRu7Icp8meYpri-7vHbdSHJK5fST8PKv5rD7H0pV4u2FYADh6CtWzBcTpjLo9qDxBXK0S3J8MPHZwZCFVXkDJkCUTrur4Wm694FEfvylg==&amp;ver=3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">make a donation to the church online<\/a>, or to put a check in the mail.<br \/>\nThe time of offering is not only about our financial gifts to the church, it is about offering our lives to God and the building of the kindom. This is a time for reflection: What is being asked of us? What is being given to us? What are we able to offer? What do we need?<\/p>\n<h3>Offertory Anthem: Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes by Mark G. Sirett<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Thou Shalt Know Him - Sirett | National Lutheran Choir\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ISr8ppsDp0M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Prayer of Presentation<\/h3>\n<p>Joy of Our Hearts,<br \/>\nWhat amazing gifts you have given to us. What a joy it is to share your abundant love with your creation! May our gifts of hope, peace, and joy be useful in the building of your kindom.<br \/>\nAmen<\/p>\n<h3>Hymn #216: Lo, How a Rose E&#8217;er Blooming<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Hymn 216: Lo, How a Rose E&#039;er Blooming\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/L_UHdRJyQaU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/hymnary.org\/page\/fetch\/HTLG2017\/101\/low\"><\/p>\n<h3>Benediction<\/h3>\n<p>May God\u2019s joy find you in unexpected moments, and bring you delight. Amen<\/p>\n<h3>Postlude<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cPeal con Brio\u201d by Karen Thompson<br \/>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Peal Con Brio by Karen Thompson, Tintab&#039;s Virtual Concert Series\" width=\"1140\" height=\"641\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/b8g0Qtuymrk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Page-7-Image-10.png\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First United Methodist Church of Schenectady Worship for the Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020 Photo by Sue Learner &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/2020\/12\/13\/worship-for-the-third-sunday-of-advent\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Worship for the Third Sunday of Advent<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1872","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-online-worship"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1872","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1872"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1882,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1872\/revisions\/1882"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1872"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1872"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fumcschenectady.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}