December 13, 2026 – Third Sunday of Advent

Lectionary Readings

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11
The spirit of the Lord is upon me; I will rejoice in my Savior.

Psalm 126
When the Lord restored our fortunes, we shouted with joy.

or Luke 1:46b–55
My soul magnifies the Lord, who has done great things.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
Rejoice, pray, give thanks; may God keep you until Christ’s coming.

John 1:6–8, 19–28
John came to testify to the light, so that all might believe.

— Gathering —

Call to Worship

Give us ears to hear voices crying out in the wilderness.
We watch for signs of your coming.

Help us to hold fast to what is good.
We watch for signs of your coming.

Inspire your people to offer good news to the oppressed,
bind up the brokenhearted,
and bring liberty to those held captive.
We watch for signs of your coming.

Prayer of the Day

Great God,
when John the Baptist identified with Jesus,
many regarded his testimony as insignificant.
Yet he continued to witness to the light.
When we feel unimportant to society,
remind us that you have called us
to fulfill the mission of Jesus.
You have asked us
to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the brokenhearted,
and to proclaim liberty to the captives
and release to the prisoners.
Help us to love justice, rejoice, and witness,
that righteousness and praise might spring up. Amen.

Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song

Thanksgiving For Baptism

At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the hope and longing you instill in us
through the promise of our baptism—
a voice crying out in the wilderness,
a messenger to prepare the way,
the day of redemption drawing near.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
keep us awake and make us ready
for the coming of your glorious realm
of righteousness, justice, and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession and Pardon

At the baptismal font:
We have all sinned, not one of us is clean;
but there is mercy for those
who call on the name of the Lord.
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.

Your love is good news for the oppressed, O Lord,
and you bind up the brokenhearted.
Forgive us, O God,
when we think that your good news is only for us.
Forgive us, O God,
when we twist your gospel into something that fits comfortably into our lives.
By your light,
let us see you leading us beyond ourselves and into the world you love.
By your grace,
forgive us, and free us to try again.

Lifting water from the font:
Every valley is lifted up; every mountain, made low.
Now the glory of the Lord is revealed,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.

— Word —

Prayer for Illumination

At the lectern or pulpit:
Holy God, our hope and strength,
by the power of your Spirit
prepare the way in our hearts
for the coming of your Word,
so that we may see the glorious signs
of your promise fulfilled;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture

Before the readings:
A voice is crying in the wilderness:
Listen to the word of the Lord.
Mark 1:3; John 1:23

After the readings:
Heaven and earth will pass away
but the word of the Lord stands forever.
Thanks be to God.
Isaiah 40:8; Mark 13:31

Sermon

Ascription of Praise

After the sermon:
Now to the God of all wisdom,
who strengthens us according to the gospel,
through Jesus Christ be all glory forever. Amen.
Romans 16:25–27

Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song

Affirmation of Faith

Season of Advent (and Christmas)
Out of Israel, God in due time raised up Jesus.
His faith and obedience were the response
of the perfect child of God.
He was the fulfillment
of God’s promise to Israel,
the beginning of the new creation,
and the pioneer of the new humanity.
He gave history its meaning and direction
and called the church to be his servant
for the reconciliation of the world.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.19