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December 14, 2025
Third Sunday of Advent: “Sacred Space”
TRADITIONAL Service
Union-Congregational Church

Gathering Music                                         

Welcome and Announcements                       

Sharing the Peace of Christ

Call to Worship
One: Joy is the gift God gives us upon waking in the morning to see beams of sun dance in dusty corners or hear much needed rain, even on a leaky roof.
Many: Joy is in the delight of tiny precious things.
 

One: Joy is the magnificence of the Redeemer when the tests come back clear, or when a school test is finally passed, or when the spirit is tested and chooses faith over fear.
Many: Joy is in the hands that hold our own while we sit silently and wait.
 

One: Joy is the patience of Emmanuel when petty disagreement turns into great injustice and change is slow to bend towards what is right and good.
Many: Joy is in the small actions we take each day to help righteousness and peace abound.

Opening Prayer (unison)
Living God, Christ Mystery, Spirit of Joy, we give you thanks for this physical and online space for gathering. As we take in the joy you offer, may we be a reflection of your light, expanding the sacred space of “right here” into the sacred place of “everywhere.”

Opening Hymn: #161 People Look East (1,3,4) (OneLicense #CCH2-118)

We Light the Candle of Joy
Soon we will celebrate the birth of Jesus. We worship God with joy in our hearts as we are reminded of the words the angel said on that first Christmas Day: "Behold, bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people."

From John 15: 9-11—“As the Creator loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Creator’s commandments and remain in God’s love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete.”

We light this candle to proclaim the coming of the light of God into the world. With the coming of this light there is joy, joy that is ours not only at Christmas but always.

Light the third candle in the wreath.

Please pray with me. O Holy One, as Christmas draws near, there is a sense of excitement in the air. We can feel a joy in our lives and see it in those around us. Still, for some of us this is a sad time because of unhappy things that have happened in our lives. Help us to have the joy that does not depend on earthly happiness but on you. Help us to be filled with your joy so that we may share it with a joyless world. Amen.

Candle Lighting Song: “We Light a Candle” (CCLI: #7083354)
(Verse 3, Joy, only)

Children’s Time

Reading of Scripture
Isaiah 35: 1-10 (NRSVue)
35 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp; the grass shall become reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Luke 1: 46b-55 (NRSVue)
“My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name; 50 indeed, his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has come to the aid of his child Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

After reading, please say, “Here end the readings for today. May God bless us as we learn from these holy words. Amen.”

Media: “This World is Pregnant with God” by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan (Jacob)

Message: What to Expect When You’re Expecting…Jesus

Prayers of the People
Time for Silent Prayer
Joys and Concerns 
After each prayer petition, Jacob will say, “God in your mercy”, and the congregation is invited to respond: “Receive our prayer.” 
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer (unison)

We Offer Our Gifts

Doxology

Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Precious God, take these gifts in the spirit they were given, with joy and love for our siblings around the world. Let us remember that we all have times of trouble. We will each stand before you, hands clasped in prayer, begging for relief. Use what we have here to bring that relief where it is needed most. Amen.

Closing Hymn: #184 What Child is This?

Benediction
When you see lights twinkle, when you catch a reflection in a mirror, when you notice the sunlight dancing on a surface or a nightlight glowing in the darkness, let these be signs that the Christ Light is revealed again and again in and through this world. Know that your brilliant presence is pouring more joy into a weary world. God loved us by becoming us. This means you are already reflecting the sacred. In the name of the Creator, Christ, and Spirit of Joy. Amen.

Sending Music                                

Call to Worship and Prayer of Dedication written by Maria Mankin for UCC Worship Ways

Other liturgy and theme by Dr. Marcia McFee