Happy Advent! This Sunday we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent. This Sunday we hear from John’s Gospel more about who John the Baptist is and where he fits in with Jesus in God’s work.

Family Ministry

St. George’s families, this week in our Sunday email are a Family Page and a number of different activity pages for different ages based on the Gospel reading for this Sunday. This week’s family page has a wonderful prayer that families can say together. It reads:

“Dear Jesus, We know you are the light of the world. Guide us on the right path and help us shine your light to others we meet. Amen.”

Please sign up for our weekly emails to get those links to these great resources to use together with your family.  

Opening Music

The first piece of Advent music I am recommending is “Hark, a Herald Voice Is Sounding.”

The Reading

The reading for the Third Sunday of Advent is John 1:6-8, 19-28:

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ ” as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.¹

Prayers and Message

And here is the link to the video of this Sunday’s Prayers and Message: 

Closing Music

I selected another traditional Advent hymn for this week, “On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry.”

And the contemporary song for this Sunday is “I Will Never Be.”

A blessed and safe Advent to you, and thank you so much for your continued support of the ministry and mission of St. George’s.

Be Well and God Bless.

Peace,

The Rev’d Canon Rob Park

P.S. If you are looking for even more church this Sunday be sure to check out our diocesan Facebook page and the diocesan YouTube page for more online worship.

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1. Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.