Advent 3 Year 1

Color: Blue
Closest RCL Sunday(s): Baptism of the Lord (A)
Readings: Light to the Nations Sermon text – Isaiah 42:1-9 Companion text – Matthew 12:15-21
Prayer of the Day (WorkingPreacher): God of light, you sent a savior into the world to bring justice and release to all who are in bondage. Shine this light upon us, and show us how to bring justice and peace to all who suffer. We pray these things in the name of
Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Suggested hymns based on the Sermon text:

ELW #314. Arise, Your Light Has Come!
ELW #715. Christ, Be Our Light
ELW #408. Come, Thou Almighty King
ELW #532. Gather Us In
ELW #526. God Is Here!
ELW #564. God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven
ELW #771. God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens
ELW #358. Great God, Your Love Has Called Us
ELW #574. Here I Am, Lord
ELW #699. In Deepest Night
ELW #434. Jesus Shall Reign
ELW #710. Let Streams of Living Justice
ELW #397. Loving Spirit
ELW #263. Savior of the Nations, Come
Various Hymnals Behold the Prince of Peace by John Needham
Various Hymnals Behold my Servant! see him rise
Various Hymnals Open the Eyes of My Heart by Paul Baloche
Various Hymnals The Voice of God Goes Out to All the World by Luke Connaughton
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Suggested hymns based on the companion text(s):

ELW #838. Beautiful Savior
ELW #610. O Christ, the Healer, We Have Come
ELW #254. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
ELW #311. Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
ELW #239. Hark, the Glad Sound!
ELW #317. Jesus on the Mountain Peak
ELW #824. This Is My Father’s World
Various Hymnals Beauty for brokenness by Graham Kendrick
Various Hymnals Prepare the Way, O Zion by Frans Franzen
Various Hymnals To the Name of Our Salvation by J. M. Neale
Various Hymnals With Joy We Meditate the Grace by Isaac Watts
(ELW=Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Other (mostly contemporary) options based on both:

“Blessed Be Your Name” By Matt Redman, Beth Redman.
“God Of Nations” By Peter Furler, Steve Taylor.
“We Speak to Nations” By Israel Houghton.
More contemporary suggestions here.

Prayers of Intercession:

(Introduction and Conclusion from Revised Common Lectionary Prayers, copyright © 2002)

We seek the mighty God in the most unlikely places as a child in a stable, and in an empty tomb. May God hear these prayers, which come from the unlikely corners of our lives.

A brief silence.

Lord God, call your church to righteousness and keep it in your love, grace, and mercy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creator God, stretch our your hand in healing and protection over all that you have made. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Just God, grant your spirit to the nations and send your light to the dark places of the world . Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Suffering God, teach all people of your faithfulness and bring forth justice and mercy. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Saving God, sustain all who suffer with your spirit and release those imprisoned by pain or disease. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Renewing God, take this congregation and move it according to your will, making us a light to our communities. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Promising God, keep us steadfast toward you as you kept the saints before us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give us ears to hear, O God, and eyes to watch, that we may know your presence in our midst during this holy season of joy as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ. Amen.