Where there is love

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY AND WELCOME
If a 15 year old unwed girl can give birth to Jesus of Nazareth in a shed of straw and sheep and know with joy the blessing of God, then there is hope for others who are marginalised because of their gender or status in the world. The Dharawal people since the arrival of Europeans continue to experience similar marginalisation as a dispossessed people who long to be heard. So, we in the Uniting Church acknowledge their elders past and present, their deep and abiding connection to country; we continue our journey with them in working for reconciliation and justice making. In that spirit of reconciliation you are welcome here. In this place, as in that shed of straw and sheep there is room for you and for me, so welcome! You too are loved.

Today, as we continue our journey towards Bethlehem, we consider what it means to prepare our
hearts for joy. What do we focus on each day? Do we see possibility or lack? New life and death, or
merely death? This Advent, as we approach Bethlehem, we are called to be like Mary and rejoice in the coming of God’s realm. We were made to be joy-filled, a joy which is not dependent upon how we may feel but a God gifted joy that lives deep within, a joy that neither calamity nor death can destroy.
Reader 1: Today is the third Sunday of Advent, a time when we rejoice as Mary the chosen one did.
Reader 2: Through the mystery of faith we too are chosen to proclaim God’s love.
Reader 1: The God who brings joy to the world through the gift of a Son.
Reader 2: Our souls rejoice and magnifying the Lord. Light the first and second candles.
We light the third candle of joy as a reminder of Jesus’ power of inclusion and transformation.

HYMN
Joyful, joyful we adore you
God of glory, Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before you
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day.
All your works with joy surround you
Earth and heav’n reflect your rays
Stars and angels sing around you
Centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain
Flowery meadow, flashing sea
singing bird and flowing fountain
Call to praise you joyfully.

You are giving and forgiving
Ever blessing, ever blest
Well-spring of the joy of living
Ocean-depth of happy rest.
God Creator, Christ our brother
All are yours who live in love
Teach us how to love each other
Lift us to your joy above.
CCLI Song # 25321 Henry Van Dyke | Ludwig van Beethoven © Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain. For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence # 31951

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

A RESPONSIVE READING inspired by ISAIAH 35: 1 – 4, 10; Sue & Brad plus Gospel & Prayer
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, do not fear! Here is your God.
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.

MATTHEW 11: 2 – 11 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by
his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus
answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’
As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the
wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. In this we hear God’s Word of Life.

A PRAYER OF CONFESSION & AFFIRMATION Adapted from an Iona Community Advent Prayer
Jesus, are you the one? It is hardly surprising that people missed your coming when even John the
Baptist wasn’t sure. They were expecting such a different kind of Messiah wearing purple cloth and gold, riding on a war horse. How could anyone be expected to know that you looked so ordinary?

There were plenty who did recognise you: the blind man who cried ‘Son of David, have mercy’ the
disturbed man who shouted ‘Jesus, Son of the Most High God, what do you want with me?’ or the
woman who touched the hem of his cloak and knew she would be healed.
But are you the one, Jesus? We still have to ask. How can we be sure? Your reply is your work
amongst the sick and oppressed. Decide for yourselves, you say – as if it isn’t about doctrine, personal piety or even miracles – but rather the company you keep, the lives you cherish. So help us Lord to be on the lookout for your coming. Open our eyes to see you in the guise of friend and stranger.
Whatever the path, whatever the place, however you come among us, forgive us if we do not
recognise you. May there yet be the joy of recognition and the embrace of ones so loved. Amen

HYMN
When out of poverty is born
a dream that will not die
and landless, weary folk find strength
to stand with heads held high
it’s then we learn from those who wait
to greet the promised day
‘The Lord is coming; don’t lose heart.
Be blest: prepare the way!’
When people wander far from God
forget to share their bread
they find their wealth an empty thing
their spirits are not fed.
For only just and tender love
the hungry soul will stay.
And so God’s prophets echo still
‘Be blest: prepare the way!’
When God took flesh and came to earth
the world turned upside down
and in the strength of a woman’s faith
the Word of Life was born.
She knew that God would raise the low
it pleased her to obey.
Rejoice with Mary in the call
‘Be blest: prepare the way!
Words © Kathryn Galloway b 1952 Used with permission CCLI Licence # 31951

Sermon: Rev Paul Bartlett, “Where there is Love”

SONG ‘10,000 Reasons’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_IRI0E
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul, worship His holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name.

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning;
It’s time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes.
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul, worship His holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name.
You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger
Your Name is great and Your heart is kind;
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing,
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.
Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul, worship His holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name.
And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come;
Still my soul sings Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul, worship His holy Name.
Sing like never before, O my soul.
I’ll worship Your holy Name. (repeat verse)
CCLI Song # 6016351 Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman © 2011 Atlas Mountain Songs (Admin. by SHOUT! Music. Publishing Australia) sixsteps Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) Thankyou Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing Australia) For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI Licence # 31951

OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Heather

HYMN

You shall go out with joy
And be led forth with peace
and the mountains and the hills
shall break forth in singing.

There’ll be shouts of joy
And the trees of the field shall clap shall clap their hands

And the trees of the field
shall clap their hands
and the trees of the field
shall clap their hands
and the trees of the field
shall clap their hands
and you’ll go out with joy.

BLESSING & BENEDICTION
The West wind has shredded the leaves
Flood waters surround our towns
The magpies their joy filled songs
While the grass all around is still green
As we lift up our voices and sing
To the Christ-child, soon to be King.
Words PaulB Music John Wheeler © Chappell Music Limited. Used with permission CCLI Licence # 31951

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