Liturgy for the Third Week of Advent - Joy

Opening Prayer (Advent 3 – Joy)

Gracious God,

In this season of waiting, we rejoice in Your steadfast presence.

Amid shadows, Your light dawns. Amid sorrow, Your song rises.

Let the joy of Your coming flood our hearts and stir our praise.

Prepare us to receive the Christ-child with open hands and dancing feet.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Call to Worship

Leader: Rejoice in the Lord always—again I say, rejoice!

People: For God has done great things for us!

Leader: The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad.

People: The desert shall rejoice and blossom.

Leader: Our God comes with healing and hope.

People: Let us lift our hearts in joy and expectation.

Leader: Come, let us worship the God of joy!

Call to Confession

Joy is not always easy. We carry burdens, grief, and regret. Let us come honestly before God, whose mercy meets us with grace.

Prayer of Confession

God of joy,

We confess that we often live joyless lives.

We chase happiness but forget your deeper gladness.

We dwell in anxiety and ignore your invitation to rejoice.

Forgive us for stifling your Spirit.

Restore in us the joy of our salvation,

and teach us again to find delight in you.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Hear the good news from Zephaniah 3:17:

“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.””

In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God!

Scripture Suggestions for Advent 3 – Joy

• Isaiah 35:1–10 – “The desert shall rejoice and blossom…”

• Psalm 146:5–10 – “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob…”

• Luke 1:46–55 – Mary’s Magnificat, a song of joyful reversal

• Philippians 4:4–7 – “Rejoice in the Lord always…”