3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C

Question to Ponder is an invitation to prepare your hearts and minds for worship this coming Sunday. Read the scripture below by looking it up in your Bible or simply clicking the link. Reflect silently on the question, journal, or talk about the question with a friend. Come to worship on Sunday at 8 and 9:30 am ready to receive God’s Word.

Introduction to the Readings
Christ’s presence in our midst in the wonder of the holy supper is cause for singing. The nearness of the God in prayer, in every circumstance, is cause for rejoicing. The coming of one “more powerful” than John, even with a winnowing fork in hand, is good news—and cause for exultation—for us who are being saved. Great joy is the tone for the third Sunday of Advent.

Readings
Zephaniah 3:14-20 Rejoice, the Lord is in your midst
Luke 3:7-18 One more powerful is coming, baptizing with fire

Question to Ponder
The crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers ask John, “What should we do?” Ask this question of yourself in response to John’s call to bear good fruit: “What should I do?”

Closing Prayer
Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the preaching of John, that, rejoicing in your salvation, we may bring forth the fruits of repentance; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.