Cycle B Advent 3

12/14/2014 Confession

Sunday Title: Ready Sunday

Sermon Title: Who are you?

Previously:

Sunday Title: Identity Sunday

Sermon Title: Who are you?

Sunday Title: Peace Sunday

Sermon Title: “Words of Encouragement?”

Sunday Title: Peace Sunday

Sermon Title: "Where Does True Peace Come From?"

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.

Psalm 126 Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

John 1:6-8, 19-28 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  God who calls us is faithful to us,

Let us be faithful in our confession. (pause- what is faithful?)

  O God,

C: so little of our lives are devoted to you

We only turn to our relationship with you,

  when we need something special.

We count on your everlasting covenant

  but our prayers end quickly

    and our thanks are only for exceptionally good things;

      all for our own interests, so they do not to display your glory.

You even give to us the light of the world,

  but we turn off our relationship

    and hold fast to evil

      and abstain from what is good.

Save us Lord from the sins we know.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

  (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Light is coming into the world , witnesses testify to the light that we may become believers through him. Our God sends to us Jesus Christ so our relationship with God may be restored. For Christ’s sake our sins are forgiven. Christ is that light, revealing the glory of the Lord. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!