Worship resources for December 11, 2022

Worship resources update Providing accessible, sound worship resources has become an essential part of Presbyterian Outlook's identity over the past several years. We often hear that these materials support small and over-extended church staff. We also frequently hear that it would be helpful to have these worship resources available earlier. Because we value our readership and desire to serve the church to the best of our ability, we're listening to you. In January 2023, we will begin releasing our worship resources two weeks in advance rather than one week in advance.

December 11, 2022 Third Sunday of Advent Isaiah 35:1-12 COMMENTARY In the introduction to the collection Joy: 100 Poems, Christian Wiman explains that he’s chosen almost entirely modern poets, both for diversity of voice and experience, and to “explore what joy means for poets at this moment in history.” At this moment in history, the weight of our world’s news burdens us with despair over the violence of war, rising hate crimes, devastating natural disasters and entrenched political divides. Wiman writes that “joy is the only inoculation against the despair to which any sane person is prone, the only antidote to the nihilism that wafts through our intellectual atmosphere like sarin gas.” Despair is a constant. Joy must be sought. On this third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, we are called to “rejoice” even though we may not feel particularly joyful. Many of us may feel burdened with year-end deadlines to meet, holiday parties to plan and attend, cards to send, presents to buy and wrap. Those who live alone, isolated from such Christmas chaos, might feel the poignance of their loneliness. Those who make their way to a pew this Sunday are more than likely in need of an “inoculation of joy” as a way to resist despair. I’ve often counseled people who are going through difficult times to intentionally seek joy. Observe the majesty of a sunset. Listen to giggling children. Receive a friend’s hug. Offer a random act of kindness. Seek joy, I’ve advised, not to demean or downplay their anguish, but to help them find their way through it. Moments of joy can serve as stepping stones through the desert of despair. You can find the rest of the commentary on our website. An order of worship for Dec. 11, 2022. This liturgy is free to use. Who’s giving Americans spiritual care? As congregational attendance shrinks, it’s often chaplains by Wendy Cadge Preparing a way for Jesus — A Uniform Standard Lesson for Dec. 11, 2022, by Richard Boyce The third Sunday in Advent — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... “Wakanda Forever” offers a beautiful and unsatisfying story The new “Black Panther” movie tells the stories of grief and White supremacy without offering easy answers. The result was a story that was real and sometimes unsettling, writes Brooke Scott.       PC(USA) church relies on Dolly Parton and prayer stations to encourage active and vibrant worship The pastors at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in San Francisco are the most recent guests on A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast. — PNS Advent and the repair of a liberating love Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks reflects on the celebration of Advent, with its proximity to Thanksgiving, and the nation’s troubling past of erasing non-White voices and cultures. Demon Copperhead Amy Pagliarella reviews Barbara Kingsolver's latest book. Advent prayers A collection of Advent prayers by Presbyterian Outlook. Light for the Darkness The call to address mental health and how one 1001 New Worshiping Community is answering. — Thirza Sayers Columbia Seminary awarded $50,000 grant to aid its Wonder of Worship project Lilly Endowment Inc. grant will help imagine new ways of nurturing children in worship and prayer. — PNS Book Giveaway! Thanks to Westminster John Knox Press, we're giving away a copy of Scott Black Johnston’s Elusive Grace. to one lucky reader of Page Turners, the Outlook's NEW, free monthly newsletter about all things book-related. To be entered in the drawing, subscribe here to Page Turners by Dec. 14. Download the FREE Blue Christmas Service: For worship planners or individual devotions, this six-page downloadable guide has prayers, readings and hymns for reflection on the sadness that sometimes also accompanies the joy of the holidays. Request the resource here.

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