Trinity Evangelical Covenant Church
Advent Week 3: JOY: Seeing with the Eyes of Faith (10:00am)
Advent Week 3: JOY: Seeing with the Eyes of Faith
Locations & Times
Trinity Evangelical Covenant Church
9230 S Pulaski Rd, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
Order of Service
Prelude
Welcome
Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle: Joy
Luke 1:39-45
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Devotional:
This morning on the third Sunday of Advent we light the candle of Joy.
Sometimes Joy seems impossible. Our lives have all kinds of worries, stresses, and anxieties, and Joy can seem like the farthest thing from our reality. Yet Joy is not something we muster up; it is a gift from God. In the Gospels, Joy comes from being invited into God’s story of redemption. Jesus invites us to be His hands and feet, His merchants of Joy to a world that so desperately needs it. Today as we light the candle of Joy, let us remember that we have all been invited by Jesus to participate in His redemption story. May we respond with Joy at God’s gracious invitation to us to be a light in the dark places in our world.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the one true source of Joy. We are grateful that You have invited us to join You in Your redemption story and so our hearts respond with gratitude. Help us to be filled with the Joy that only You can give that we might inspire Joy in others. Thank you for your gift of Joy that shines brightly in the darkness of our world.
Hymn of Praise – BH #147 O Come All Ye Faithful
Invocation
Life Together
Offertory Song – Joyful, Joyful
Doxology
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory Forever.
Prayer of Dedication of Offering
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, And to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: World without end. Amen.
Hymn of Preparation BH #171 What Child Is This, Who Laid to Rest
Installation of Pastor Tom Greenwald
Message: JOY: “Seeing with Eyes of Faith” Luke 1:39-45
Pastor Tom Greenwald
Hymn of Sending – BH#166 Joy Bells Are Ringing (vs. 1,2,5)
Benediction & Passing of the Peace
Postlude
Prelude
Welcome
Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle: Joy
Luke 1:39-45
39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
Devotional:
This morning on the third Sunday of Advent we light the candle of Joy.
Sometimes Joy seems impossible. Our lives have all kinds of worries, stresses, and anxieties, and Joy can seem like the farthest thing from our reality. Yet Joy is not something we muster up; it is a gift from God. In the Gospels, Joy comes from being invited into God’s story of redemption. Jesus invites us to be His hands and feet, His merchants of Joy to a world that so desperately needs it. Today as we light the candle of Joy, let us remember that we have all been invited by Jesus to participate in His redemption story. May we respond with Joy at God’s gracious invitation to us to be a light in the dark places in our world.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are the one true source of Joy. We are grateful that You have invited us to join You in Your redemption story and so our hearts respond with gratitude. Help us to be filled with the Joy that only You can give that we might inspire Joy in others. Thank you for your gift of Joy that shines brightly in the darkness of our world.
Hymn of Praise – BH #147 O Come All Ye Faithful
Invocation
Life Together
Offertory Song – Joyful, Joyful
Doxology
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Prayers of the People & The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory Forever.
Prayer of Dedication of Offering
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, And to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: World without end. Amen.
Hymn of Preparation BH #171 What Child Is This, Who Laid to Rest
Installation of Pastor Tom Greenwald
Message: JOY: “Seeing with Eyes of Faith” Luke 1:39-45
Pastor Tom Greenwald
Hymn of Sending – BH#166 Joy Bells Are Ringing (vs. 1,2,5)
Benediction & Passing of the Peace
Postlude
Message Notes:
JOY: Seeing with Eyes of Faith
Luke 1:39-45
What do you think of when you hear the word “Joy”?
We are being intentional to walk slowly through the Advent story.
JOY: Seeing with Eyes of Faith
Luke 1:39-45
What do you think of when you hear the word “Joy”?
We are being intentional to walk slowly through the Advent story.
Why does Mary hurry away from Nazareth to see Elizabeth?
Is it because Mary is so excited?
Is it because Mary knew Elizabeth was also miraculously pregnant and she could relate?
Could it be that Mary is getting away from the suspicious talk?
Is it because Mary is so excited?
Is it because Mary knew Elizabeth was also miraculously pregnant and she could relate?
Could it be that Mary is getting away from the suspicious talk?
Have you ever faced a challenge in your life that you just didn’t think you could face on your own?
How are you seeing God at work?
What are you in need of today?
Who are you encouraging?
What are you in need of today?
Who are you encouraging?