– -Liturgy for Advent Sunday, December 14, 2014- –
“…Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
2 Corinthians 6:2
Prelude: O Come O Come Emmanuel (Sovereign Grace Music, traditional tune with new verses)
Gathering Song: O Little Town Of Bethlehem (traditional)
“O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!”
Lighting of the 3rd Advent Candle: Jesus Fulfills The World’s Story
Call to Worship: (Isaiah 60:1-7)
Leader: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
All: “Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm.
Leader: Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah.
All: And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will adorn my glorious temple.
Adoration:
O Holy Night (traditional, with additional lyrics on Verses 2 & 4 by Sovereign Grace Music)
Call To Confession:
Psalm 23 – Recited by children!
(time of silent confession)
Assurance of Pardon: (Colossians 1:13-20)
Leader: He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
All: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Leader: And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
All: For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Song of Response: What Child Is This? (traditional)
(Prayers for our City, Offering, and Doxology/Word of Praise)
Hearing the Word: Matthew 2:1-12 (sermon audio posted separately)
Celebration of Communion
Sending: Joy To The World (traditional)
Benediction: (Numbers 6:24-26)
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Go in that peace!