Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell, Pastor
Morgan Park
Baptist Church
11024 S. Bell Avenue
Chicago, IL 60643
773-445-9443
God’s Family Worships
Third Sunday of Advent
December 15, 2024 11:00 A.M.
God of love, Father of all, the darkness that covered the earth
has given way to the bright dawn of your Word made flesh.
Make us a people of this light. Make us faithful to your Word
that we may bring your life to the waiting world.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Fellowship of Praise
Prelude Cameron Jones
*Call to Worship Linda Williams
Leader: Shout for joy, the whole earth, and everything within.
Congregation: Rejoice! For Light has come into the world
Leader: The mountains sing, the seas resound to the praise of your name.
Congregation: Salvation once promised is here on earth the angels' song rings in the air, a child has been born. Hallelujah!
All: The Savior of the world is here
*Hymn #185 "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" Verses 1, 2 and 3
*Invocation and Lord’s Prayer (debts/debtors)
*Gloria Patri #73
Lighting of the Advent Candle of Joy
The Candle of Joy
1st Reader:
On this third Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of Joy. Joy is in the heart of Christmas- joy in prophecy fulfilled, joy at the birth of the Savior of the world; joy in anticipation of the possibilities of new life in Jesus Christ. The coming of Christ promises us fresh joy for every new day. Even in the midst daily struggles there can be moments of simple joy reminding us that God’s gift of life is good. Simple joy can give us strength to endure the hardships that come our way.
2nd Reader:
Mary’s expression of joy in anticipating the birth of her son is recorded in Luke 1:47 “My spirit takes joy in God, my Savior.” The Messiah’s coming was announced by the words of the angel speaking to the startled shepherds on the hillside, “Don't be afraid, for I am bringing you news of great joy.” As the candle is lit, hear the words of Jesus to his disciples, and to us from the gospel of John, chapter 15, verses 10 and 11: “if you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete”
Prayer: Dear Lord, be for us joy in this Christmas season. May our spirits be lifted as we again anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth. May we know the true joy that comes from loving you and obeying you. May our joy come from grateful heart because we know that in you, we have grace, and mercy and strength and peace and the wonderful gift of eternal life with you.
*Hymn #187 "O, Holy Night"
The Fellowship of the Family of God
Greetings and Announcements
Pastor's Welcome
The Fellowship of Giving
*Doxology #34
*Prayer
The Fellowship of Prayer
Joys and Concerns
Praise and Thanks
For the continued ministry of MPBC; and the love and support of our MPBC members and friends; for our Pastor, Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell and his family.
For Healing and Rehabilitation
Annette Adams; Annether Baines; Diane Brownlee; Patsy Browning; Beverly Capers (sister of Beatrice Haywood); Elizabeth Chelton (Granddaughter of Patsy Browning); Trisha Clark (granddaughter of Penny Lord); Neil Cunningham; The Goodman Family; Rev. David Gregg; Floyd Hale and family; Priscilla Hall; Aretha Hampton; Shavon Harp (Niece of Annether Baines);
The Haywood Family; The Healy/Chase Family; Jack & Penny Lord; Linda, Stephanie & Joan McCarty; John & Flora Mitchell (Pastor Joel’s parents); Sam and Karen Mitchell; Beverly Nickerson; Haile Selassie (son of Bruce and Rev. Francine White); Barbara Shriver (mother of Gretchen Shriver); Robert Soria (grandson of Susan Soria); Mack Taylor & Family; Cassandra Taylor (JFK owner); Michael Whaley; Jeremy Williams & Family; Ira Williams
For Guidance and Direction
For our MPBC family, our vision for the future, and for our young people
For Watchcare
All of our service men and women serving and all of our veterans; All of our missionaries, who serve in all parts of the USA and in many parts of the world; For the President of the United States, Joe Biden. For all the people who have suffered through natural disasters; For the city of Chicago, that violence will cease.
Pastoral Prayer
The Fellowship of the Word
Scripture Readings Linda Williams
Sermon Rev. Dr. Joel Mitchell
The Sending Forth
*Closing Hymn #189 "Angels, From the Realms of Glory" Verses 1, 2 and 4
* Benediction
Postlude
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