Year C    Book of Alternative Services, page 270

Eternal God,

who caused all holy scriptures

to be written for our learning,

grant us so to hear them,

read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them,

that we may embrace and ever hold fast

the blessed hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

 

The holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

according to Luke.

7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 10 And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" 11 In reply he said to them, "Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise." 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" 13 He said to them, "Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you." 14 Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what should we do?" He said to them, "Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages." 15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." 18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.                                                                                                              Luke 3:7-18

The Gospel of Christ

 

 

PART ONE

A     Who are the characters in this reading?

B     What are they doing?

C     What is this reading about?

 

PART TWO

A     What does this message reveal about GOD?

B     What does this message reveal about US?

C     What message does God want us to hear?

PART THREE

A     What is the Good News you hear in this reading?

B     How are we to be stewards of this Gospel?

C     Write a personal prayer about this reading.

 

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

We continue our journey toward Christmas by lighting a third candle, the sign of light and joy. As a sign of desire to welcome the news of God's coming in the Saviour's birth we ask God to help us repent by waiting for the joy that God's relationship brings so we can live in the joy of the kingdom present and coming.

 

            Most holy and merciful Father,

            we confess to you, to one another,

            and to the whole communion of saints

            in heaven and on earth,

            that we have sinned by our own fault

            in thought, word, and deed;

            by what we have done,

            and by what we have left undone.

 

My soul waits for the Lord.             In his word is our Joy.

 

God, we are always striving for power,

Help us to see how this is like poison to others.

 

God, you send us your Son who is more powerful than we,

Help us relinquish our power to him.

 

Jesus, you sift the chaff from our life.

Make it as nothing in our sight.

 

Jesus, you gather like wheat our generosity to those in need

You make us your bread of life and fill us with joy.

 

Accomplish in us, O God, the work of your salvation,

            That we may show forth your glory in the world.

 

Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins

through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness,

and by the power of the Holy Spirit  keep us in eternal life. Amen.

 

            We pray with …

            We give thanks for…

            We remember the departed…

 

With thankful hearts we say, Amen.