This is the third Sunday for Advent in the worship series, "Grounded and Growing.
See the links below to access the series introduction and the other services.
Series Introduction Advent 1 Advent 2 Advent 4 Christmas
Oh the joy that comes with a nourishing rain especially after a drought! This is more evident in the arid climate of Israel where rain brings the desert to life. Throughout scripture, nourishing rain and rivers also serve as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment that is given to quench our thirsty souls.
In this week’s passage from Isaiah, the gift of water leads to the incredible spread of numerous types of trees—trees where you wouldn’t expect to see them, a true flourishing. In response to such restoration, Psalm 126 says, “Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy…’The LORD has done great things for them’” (Psalm 126:2). In our gospel reading, Mary echoes Psalm 126. Having received the news that she would give birth to Jesus and having met her cousin Elizabeth, Mary can’t contain her joy and bursts into song, “‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…for the Mighty One has done great things for me’” (Luke 1:46, 49). The Spirit is at work, growth abounds, prophecies are fulfilled, and there is a great flourishing.
But this nourishment, this water, isn’t meant for just anyone. In our passages it is the poor and needy, those who are weeping, the lowly, and the hungry who are the recipients of this gift. They are the ones who will flourish while those who have much end up with nothing. Why? “So all may see and know” (Isaiah 41:20) and together testify that, “The LORD has done great things.”
This Advent let us rejoice for the Spirit’s work, evident in the spreading of the gospel. Let us rejoice, grateful for all the good we see about us. Let us rejoice in anticipation of the day when the world will be set to right and those who experience need will flourish. Will we join in the laughter of the psalmist and Mary? Will our testimony echo theirs that “the Lord has done great things”?
Additional resources and ideas follow the service outline.
Service Outline
[Start worship in a darkened space. If there is a prelude, have it be a quiet one followed by a time of silence. From out of the darkness…]
Call to Worship and Advent Candle lighting
[A long taper candle is lit as house lights are slowly turned on.]
Out of darkness a light shines.
Out of a desert a river flows.
From a dead stump a shoot grows.
Mourning turns to joy.
Today we continue our Advent journey.
Today we light this candle of joy
in gratitude for the gift of the Christ child,
and in anticipation of Christ’s second coming.
—Joyce Borger © 2025 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
[Candle lighting of the third candle. If your Advent wreath includes a pink candle, this is the week it is lit.]
Come let us worship and rejoice!
Praise be to God,
our Lord has done great things!
Our Lord will do great things!
Opening Song
“My Soul In Stillness Waits” Haugen
Greeting
Hear these words of greeting from God,
“I am the LORD, your God,
and I am here with you.
I am the one who gives victory,
I will rejoice over you with gladness;
and renew you with my love.
I will exult over you with loud singing.
I am the LORD, your God,
and I am here with you.”
—Zephaniah 3:17, NRSVUE, adapt.
Opening Song of Praise
“God Reigns! Earth Rejoices” Psalm 97, Morgan
Call to Confession
It is because of God’s love and grace that we dare come and worship such a holy God. It is also because we are assured of God’s acceptance and forgiveness that we dare to acknowledge our own failures and those of this world. With faith let us come before God in a prayer of confession.
Prayer of Confession
God of salvation, in Christ you have done great things—
our hearts are filled with joy.
By your power you lifted us out of the wasteland of sin
and brought us with joy and laughter into your kingdom.
Salvation is your gift to us.
But we confess that often we try to replace your gift with our own efforts.
We try to complete what is already perfect;
we try to add to what is already full;
we try to earn what we already have.
Forgive us for our foolishness.
Help us to focus on your grace.
Help us to live grateful lives in return.
For Jesus’ sake alone,
Amen.
—based on Psalm 126, Scott Hoezee, “Are We Faking It”, © 1994, ReformedWorship.org.
Sung Lament
“Psalm 126: Our Mouths They Were Filled” Wardell
Assurance of Pardon
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has taken away the judgments against you,
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
—Zephaniah 3:14–18, NRSVUE
Passing of Joy
“God delights in you.” “Let us be filled with joy!”
Response of Thanksgiving
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Reading
Old Testament: Isaiah 41:17–20
Psalm: Psalm 126
New Testament: Luke 1:46–55
Sermon
From the Wilderness of Despair to the Flourishing of Joy
[For sermon notes see the service introduction.]
Song or Hymn of Response
“When the King Shall Come Again” Isaiah 35, Idle (alt. tune, ST. KEVIN)
Creed and/or Testimonials
Invite congregants to share where they have seen God’s goodness at work and how it has brought them joy.
Prayers of the People
Offering, Offertory Prayer
Lord’s Supper
Thanksgiving
Song of Dedication
“My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout” Cooney
Call to Service
Leave here having been nourished by God’s grace,
ready to work for the flourishing of all,
so that many may join in Mary’s joyful testimony that
“The Lord has done great things.”
Blessing/Benediction
May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
—Romans 15:13, NRSVUE
—Joyce Borger © 2025 ReformedWorship.org, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0. Used by permission.
Additional Music Suggestions
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“Let Us Be Known” Armstrong, Massey, Moore, Flanigan
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“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” Wesley
Ideas for Inclusion
In this service consider using a “resurrection plant” as an illustration. These plants often look dead but quickly revive when placed in water. A service may not be enough time to see the impact on the plant but you could pass it around and place it in water and then show a portion of a “sped up” video. If you do this, make sure to have the fully resurrected plant available the following week as a reminder that “The Lord has done great things.” (Video suggestion: David Attenborough - Resurrection Plant, Totally Amazing Nature or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p35MEjcF5D0 )
Weekly Prompt
Joy is the natural response to new life and growth—creating and recreating. Amidst what is often a busy season, take a few minutes to reflect on what brings you joy. What helps you flourish and express your full being? How might you include opportunities for such life-giving joy this week? How might your joy extend to bring joy to others?
Creeds and Confessions
Our Song of Hope, st. 16
