Sunday 17 December, 2023
3rd Sunday of Advent
Out of the Ordinary #3 (“Pointing to the light”)**
Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one hymn
General Also see hymns for Israel-Palestine (How can we call a land “Holy”?)
Deep in the darkness a starlight is gleaming (StF 625)
Heaven shall not wait (StF 701)
O Lord we are always in your presence (StF 33)
Strength will rise as wait upon the Lord (StF 89)
The God who sings a new world into being (StF 714)
We will walk with God, my brothers (StF 484)
**Hymn suggestions are also included as part of Out of the Ordinary, the Methodist Church’s Advent and Christmas 2023 resources. Running for all the Sundays of December, and Christmas Day, this year’s campaign focuses on how the wonder of God’s love is revealed in the ordinary:
- a seemingly ordinary birth becomes God’s out of the ordinary world-saving event through Jesus
- every day, ordinary acts of kindness can breakthrough to the extraordinary
Download the Out of the Ordinary worship resource (PDF)
Lighting of Advent candles (using verses as appropriate)
Advent candles tell their story (StF 165)
Candles we light upon the Advent Ring (website only)
'Christmas is coming!' The Church is glad to sing (StF 166)
*Light a candle in a darkened place (StF 174)
Like a candle flame, flickering small in our darkness (StF 176)
God's spirit is in my heart (StF 404)
Hail to the Lord's anointed (StF 228)
Have you heard the good news? (StF 406)
Make way, make way, for Christ the king in splendour arrives (StF 264)
You give rest to the weary (StF 657)
either Psalm 126
Hymn echoing the psalmist’s theme
There's a light upon the mountains (StF 188)
Worship God with the morning sunrise (StF 68)
or Canticle: Magnificat (Luke 1:46b-55)
My soul rejoices in God my Saviour (StF 60)
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186)
We gladly celebrate and praise (StF 120)
Hills of the north, rejoice (StF 172)
May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day (StF 504)
O come, O come Immanuel (StF 180)
Pray, without ceasing, pray (StF 528)
Round orange, round orange, you serve as a sign (StF 184)
The prophets’ voice comes down the years (StF 162)
Author of faith, eternal Word (StF 457)
Baptise us with your Spirit (StF 369)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come! (StF 330)
Light of the world, you stepped down into darkness (Here I am to worship) (StF 175)
Of the Father's love begotten (StF 181)
On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry (StF 182)
Praise to the God who clears the way (StF 183)