– -Liturgy for Advent Sunday, December 7, 2014- –
“And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD.
-Isaiah 59:20
Prelude: Gather ‘Round (Andrew Peterson)
Gathering Song: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (traditional, Sears/Smith/Willis)
“O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!”
Lighting of the 2nd Advent Candle: Jesus Fulfills God’s Story
Call to Worship: (Isaiah 59:15-20)
Leader: The LORD saw it,
and it displeased him that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no man,
and wondered that there was no one to intercede;
then his own arm brought him salvation,
and his righteousness upheld him.
All: He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
Leader: According to their deeds, so will he repay,
wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies;
to the coastlands he will render repayment.
All: So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west,
and his glory from the rising of the sun;
for he will come like a rushing stream,
which the wind of the LORD drives.
“And a Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD.
Adoration:
Angels We Have Heard On High (traditional, Barnes & Chadwick)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (traditional, Neale)
Call To Confession:
“Let’s pause and be silent for a few moments in this season of busyness… Re-center, re-focus, repent… Use this time to reflect on Christ as our light, and how yet we still seek to run back into darkness…”
(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: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (traditional, Mendelssohn & Wesley)
(Prayers for our City, Offering, and Doxology/Word of Praise)
Offering Song for Reflection: We Are Waiting (Miranda Dodson)
Hearing the Word: Matthew 1:18-25 (sermon audio posted separately)
Celebration of Communion
Sending: Good Christian Men Rejoice (traditional, Neale)
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!