Third Sunday of Advent
December 14 , 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Mark Poyner, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude O Come, Emmanuel /O Come All Ye Faithful | arr. Cambern/McDonald
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Advent Candle Reading - Joy
On the first Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of HOPE, remembering that God's promises never fail. (First candle is lit or indicated)
On the second Sunday of Advent, we lit the candle of PEACE, celebrating that Christ is our peace who reconciles all things. (Second candle is lit or indicated)
Today we light the candle of JOY. Even from a prison cell, John asked, “Are you the one?” And Jesus answered: “The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear!”
The wilderness blooms! The desert rejoices!
Our joy is not dependent on perfect circumstances.
Our joy is rooted in the One who came, who comes, and who will come again!
We light the candle of JOY, knowing that gladness and joy will overtake us, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. (Third candle is lit)
Come, Lord Jesus, our Joy! Shine your light in our darkness and fill our hearts with rejoicing! The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Thanks be to God!
Opening Statement Based on Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light!
On those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned!
The desert and the parched land will be glad;
The wilderness will rejoice and blossom!
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear!"
For your God will come to save you!
We light the candle of JOY, for the light of Christ shines in our darkness!
*Hymn of Praise Come, Thou Long- Expected Jesus
Call to Confession
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Scriptures remind us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us come before Him in humility and faith, and confess our sins. Let us pray:
Prayer of Confession Based on Romans 13:11-12
Gracious God, you promise us that the night is nearly over and the day is almost here. Yet we confess that we often live as though the darkness has the final word. We grow weary in the waiting. We doubt your promises when circumstances imprison us. Like John in his cell, we ask from our own places of confinement: "Are you really the one? Are you really coming?" Forgive us for mistaking delay for denial, for confusing the "not yet" with "never." Wake us from our slumber. Help us to cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Give us the courage to live as people of the dawn, even when the night feels long. Through Christ, the light no darkness can overcome, we pray. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon Based on John 1:5
Hear the good news, beloved people of God: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Not in Herod's prison. Not in our despair. Not in our waiting. Not in our doubt. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and good news is proclaimed. The kingdom has broken in, and though its full dawn is not yet here, nothing can extinguish the light of Christ that burns even now among us. In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. In Jesus Christ, you are free. Live as children of light!
Thanks be to God!
*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. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
We Listen to God’s Word
Anthem O Come, Emmanuel | Hagenberg
Prayer for Illumination
Holy Spirit, you are the light that guides us into all truth. As we open your Word, illuminate our minds and hearts. Help us to hear not only the promises we long for, but also the questions we're afraid to ask. Give us ears to hear your answer to John's doubt, and eyes to see the signs of your kingdom breaking in, even when the darkness has not fully fled. Shine your light upon these ancient words, that they may become for us a living word today. In the name of Christ, the light of the world. Amen..
Old Testament Reading Isaiah 35:1-10
*Hymn Joy to the World
Gospel Lesson Matthew 11:2-11
Sermon: “The Light that brings us Joy” | Rev. Poyner
*Affirmation of Faith (Nicene Creed)
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Offering In the Bleak Midwinter | Holst/Mohr
Blessing on the Offering ...Your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus 'name we pray, Amen.
*Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with the Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, Who 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 debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn My Soul Cries Out with a Joyful Shout
Benediction
Postlude Away in a Manger | arr. Schermer
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED