We light a third candle to remind us of God’s call to rejoice, even in difficult circumstances.
This candle is a symbol of the joy we experience because of God’s presence in our lives and in the world.
O God, come journey with us through Advent.
Give us courage to spread joy in the world. Amen

~ from Prayers for Advent (Adult)

In many traditions, the Third Sunday in Advent is called Rejoice Sunday – a moment for rejoicing in what, for some, has been traditionally considered a penitential season.

For some this season is also a difficult time. Many are too busy and feel the pressure to make their Christmas celebrations memorable. Some are experiencing the loss of loved ones, the breakdown of relationships, serious illness, or economic uncertainties. Be sensitive to situations in the lives of members of your community as you explore together this week’s scripture readings.

The readings call us to “rejoice always,” to hear “good news,” and to “come home with shouts of joy.” What does such joy feel like to you? What cause you to rejoice? Pray that each may discover a sign of God’s transforming power and love during this Advent time.

Creative Spirit
Listen to the wisdom of Jesus
who taught us that to be poor is to be rich,
to grieve is to be comforted,
to be meek is to be bold,
to hunger and thirst for alignment is to be full,
to be merciful is to swim in an ocean of mercy,
to make peace is to be at peace with self and others,
to love justice is to affirm our home in the earth,
to struggle without knowing the outcomes is to live into being.
Help us to live these explosions of light,
these spice boxes of paradox,
these mind-boggling koans,
these radical riffs that are your Beatitudes
so we may transcend duality
and set up housekeeping
in your household of peace.

~ a poem by Susan McCaslin from Arousing the Spirit: Provocative Writings

• One of the posters for this season is Sanctuary – a photo of First United in Vancouver that shows people sleeping in the pews. Read the article, “First United – a Sanctuary,” that is an accompaniment to this poster and is included in the extra resource sheets for Adults, Ages 15-18, Agers 12-14, and Ages 9-11. (Sanctuary is not included in Ages 3-5 and 6-8 which have storytelling poster resources instead). 
• a PowerPoint presentation of an aurora borealis would be lovely to show during meetings or in worship (on Ages 15-18 disk and Fusion Data CD)
• a finger labyrinth could use as a meditation tool during Advent (information can be found on Ages 12-14 extra resource; Ages 15-18 supplemental resource sheet; and on Ages 15-18 supplemental disk)
• Access Spirit Sightings for connections between current events and the focus passage.

• Look at the poster, The Prophet, (Adult, Ages 15-18) and imagine that this figure is one who dreams restoration. Who are those in today’s world who are dreaming of hopes restored? In what ways do you and your congregation help to restore hope?
• “John the Baptizer” resource sheet (Adult: digging deeper). Learn more about John through exploring scripture passages.
• “Psalm 126” (Multiage, Ages 12-14) and “Psalm Words” (Ages 9-11) help bring Psalm 126 into focus.
• Option: use the paraphrase  “A Song of Happiness” based on Psalm 126 (p. 102) in Lectionary story Bible, Year C or “Old Isaiah’s New Song” based on Isaiah 61:1-2 (p. 22) and “Who Is God’s Chosen One” based on John 1:19-28 (p. 24) of the Lectionary Story Bible, Year B; also available as an mp3 and projectable art download)

Some of the many options include:

• Ages 3-5: explore joy through making shakers and singing and dancing
• Ages 6-8: celebrate joy through art engagement or musical instruments
• Ages 9-11: rejoice together through abstract painting or joy ornaments
• Multiage: celebrate God’s gifts through joy painting or making thank you gifts
• Ages 12-14: celebrate with the psalmist by making joy ornaments or writing poetry
• Ages 15-18: explore the psalmist’s message through psalm reflection or justice letters
• Adult: explore God’s faithfulness through writing a personal psalm or planning a “blue Christmas” service

• Joy painting: the psalm offers a message of hope and joy. Invite children to use art supplies to create abstract paintings that illustrate the hope and joy that is celebrated at this time of year. They could listen to joyful music, such as “I’ve Got a Voice” while painting. Have them choose a sentence or phrase from the psalm to add as a title for their painting, and create a display of the paintings in the church hall.
• Music: Get out the rhythm instruments! Younger children will enjoy “I’ve Got a Voice” (#13) on Seasons CD, volume 7 and “One, Two, Three, Alleluia!” (#15 on Seasons Growing Faith CD) Songs are available as a downloadable mp3 purchase.
• Poster images: The Prophet, Pathway Home and/or Landscape of Stars are used in various age levels.

Note: December 25 and January 1 are “All ages” sessions (the same for all age levels)

December 18 | Advent 4: With Authority (focus: Mark 1: 21-28)

In this last week before Christmas, we read of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she will give birth to a special baby. On this fourth Sunday of Advent we are reminded that God is with us in many ways. We are invited to recognize that the God who did not want a structural house has chosen to live in humankind, exercising steadfast love.

• Make a simple “sock-doll” Jesus for Dec. 18 (Ages 3-5, p. 82)
• Find the Age 3 Supplement in the Library & Action Zone.
• Listen to the music on Seasons of the Spirit CD, volume 7 and also learn the “easy-to-teach” additional songs sung to familiar tunes that are found in the back pages of your resource

For SeasonsFUSION (which inspires worship in a setting for all ages) see the new SeasonsFUSION blog and sign up to receive the SeasonsFUSION tip of the week.