The Fantastic Hope of Advent — Third Sunday in Advent

Psalm 126 begins with God's people rejoicing that he has restored their fortunes but, when in the middle of the Psalm, it abruptly turns to a plea that God would restore their fortunes in the future it becomes clear that the first three verses were not realized but fantasy. This Psalm lives in the Advent tension between current hope and the faith that the God who is writing the Story is going to someday make the fantasies of Advent a concrete reality. Web: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/2023... Order of service: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/wp-c... Online giving: https://saintjamesglencarbon.org/give Psalm 40:1-3 Psalm 126 Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24 John 1:6–8, 19–28 Songs and Hymns: O Little Town of Bethlehem: Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835–93; Tune: Lewis H. Redner, 1831–1908; Text and tune: Public domain. Magnificat: Text: Luke 1:46 (ESV); public domain. Tune: David Schack (b. 1947), © 2006 Lutheran Service Book, used with permission, LSB Hymn License no. 110001220. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: Text: Charles Wesley; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn; Text and tune: Public domain. It Came upon the Midnight Clear: Text: Edmund H. Sears; Tune: Richard S. Willis; Text and tune: Public domain. Away in a Manger: Text: Little Children’s Book, 1885; Vineyard Songs, 1892; Tune: James R. Murray; Text and tune: Public domain. Joy to the World: Text: Isaac Watts; Tune: George Frideric Handel; Text and tune: Public domain Silent Night, Holy Night: Text: Franz Gruber; Tune: Franz Joseph Mohr; Text and tune: Public domain. Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Text: Charles Wesley; tune: Rowland H. Pritchard; text and tune are public domain. Where Shepherds Lately Knelt: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1919–2008, © 1986 Concordia Publishing House; Tune: Joseph Herl, © 2003 Joseph Herl; admin. Concordia Publishing House; Used with permission: LSB Hymn License #110001220. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise: Text: Christopher Wordsworth, 1807–85, alt. Tune: George J. Elvey, 1816–93. Text and tune: Public domain. Ancient of Days: Jesse Reeves, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, Rich Thompson; © 2018 CityAlight Music. Used with permission, CCLI license #20286740. I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say: Text: Horatius Bonar, 1808–89, alt.; Public domain; Tune: Amanda Husberg, 1940; © 1996 Amanda Husberg; Used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220. Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness: Text by Rusty Edwards, © 1987 Hope Publishing Co.; used with permission, LSB Hymn License #110001220; tune by The Sacred Harp, 1844, public domain. Liturgies: Kyrie: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda; Music: Columbian Harmony; Text and music: © 1990 Concordia Publishing House; Used with permission: One License #728607-A. Gloria: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with permission, One License #728607-A; Tune: Felix Mendelssohn, public domain. Credo: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with permission, One License 728607-A; tune: Welsh, pubic domain. Sanctus: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with permission, One License 728607-A; tune: John B. Dykes, public domain. Agnus Dei: Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, © 1990 Concordia Publishing House, used with permission, CCLI license #20286740; tune: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872, public domain. #Sermon #Gospel #Advent #hope #faith #Jesus #offspring #Psalm126