Third Sunday in Advent The Christmas Fund offers hope to those who have brought the good news of Christ’s birth to many churches in the United Church of Christ by pension supplements.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger -- who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Reader 1: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger -- who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

We light again the Candle of Hope and remember those who bring us the good news of Christ’s Advent. Lighter: We light again the Candle of Hope and remember those who bring us the good news of Christ’s Advent.

The Candle of Hope The Christmas Fund offers hope to those who have brought the good news of Christ’s birth to many churches in the United Church of Christ by pension supplements. Lighter: (Light the First Candle)

We light again the Candle of Peace and claim the Peace on Earth which once was sung by angels. Lighter: We light again the Candle of Peace and claim the Peace on Earth which once was sung by angels.

The Candle of Peace The Christmas Fund’s health supplements bring peace of mind to many retired pastors. Lighter: (Light the Second Candle)

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces salvation. This is the Candle of Joy. We light it like birthday candles of the heart, for its glow celebrates our healing, our forgiveness, and the child-like festivity of these days in which tinsel reminds us of the magi, and candy canes of the shepherds of long ago. We applaud our church, where joy is unambiguously encouraged, and yet, where those for whom this season means sorrow, find a gentle home. Reader 2: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces salvation. This is the Candle of Joy. We light it like birthday candles of the heart, for its glow celebrates our healing, our forgiveness, and the child-like festivity of these days in which tinsel reminds us of the magi, and candy canes of the shepherds of long ago. We applaud our church, where joy is unambiguously encouraged, and yet, where those for whom this season means sorrow, find a gentle home.

The Candle of Joy Both active and retired clergy receive emergency assistance in time of need from the Christmas Fund. Lighter: (Light the Third Candle) (in some churches, this is a rose colored candle) (Instead of silence, a few bars of “Joy to the World” briskly played. In some churches folks may applaud by clapping hands or the dancing of fingers which signifies applause in American Sign Language.)

Mary, pregnant with Christ, sang, “ Mary, pregnant with Christ, sang, “ ... my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” and then praised her Savior for turning things upside down. We welcome the shake up in our joy-stingy lives and pledge by this candle to care for those she named -- the lowly, the poor, the hungry, the empty. Reader 1: Mary, pregnant with Christ, sang, “ ... my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” and then praised her Savior for turning things upside down. We welcome the shake up in our joy-stingy lives and pledge by this candle to care for those she named -- the lowly, the poor, the hungry, the empty.

(let us pray) Emmanuel, God coming and with us, some of the joy around us seems frenzied and false, more focused on gift-giving than deeper sources of joy. Make us messengers of the manger with its simple poverty and extravagant love, and keep us mindful that someone we meet this week is waiting to be invited by us into the stable door. Amen. Reader 2: (let us pray) Emmanuel, God coming and with us, some of the joy around us seems frenzied and false, more focused on gift-giving than deeper sources of joy. Make us messengers of the manger with its simple poverty and extravagant love, and keep us mindful that someone we meet this week is waiting to be invited by us into the stable door. Amen.