Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12

Theme: Promise - Someone has said that "Christian hope is not a trembling, hesitant wish, or desire that perhaps God's promises may be true, but the confident expectation that they can't be anything else but true." (Perhaps you will want to print this at the beginning of the order of worship in the bulletin.)

Hymns of Advent
Caution: Because of the familiarity of many of the Advent hymns, which are often confused with Christmas carols, ask the people to read the words silently before singing them; point out their anticipation of the coming of the Messiah.

Call to Worship
One congregation used this:
Pastor: We are called into being and into worship this Advent and every season by God, our Liberator.
Ministers: We worship in honesty and in reality.
Pastor: I look an…