Call To Worship Luke 2

Transcription

1 Order of Worship December 9, 2018 Reflection He (Jesus) is the Lion and the Lamb. He is the Lamb and the Shepherd. He is the Shepherd and the Warrior. He is the Warrior and the Priest. He is the Priest and the Sacrifice. He is the Sacrifice and the Victor. He is the Victor and the Servant. He is the Servant and the King. He is the King and the Convicted. He is the Convicted and the Judge. He is the Judge and the Advocate. Diverse excellencies, each pair juxtaposed yet complementary, finding their admirable conjunction in him. -Jared C. Wilson Prelude As worship begins, please silence your electronic devices. Call To Worship Luke 2 Leader: Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 1

2 People: And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Leader: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, People: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! Song Away in a Manger Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head; The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the Baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes; I love thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky, And stay by my cradle, till morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray; Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with thee there. Prayer of Adoration Almighty God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ promised to come again to receive his people unto 2

3 himself; keep us ever watchful for his glorious appearing. Help us to set our affections on things above, and to live as those who wait for their Lord, that when he appears we may be made like him, and see him as he is. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Lighting of the Advent Wreath The Bethlehem Candle Luke 1:68-75 Reader: We light the second candle of Advent, the Bethlehem Candle. We light these candles to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. All: Thanks be to God! Doxology Old Hundredth Praise God whose light fills all the earth Whose love we see in Jesus birth Whose Spirit forms one family Whose grace brings peace and harmony. Amen. Prayer of Confession Almighty God, we have sinned against you and we have offended you. And yet, O Lord, as we 3

4 acknowledge our sins and offenses, so also do we acknowledge you to be a merciful God, a loving and favorable Father, to all who turn to you. And so we humbly ask you, for the sake of Christ your Son, to show mercy to us, and forgive us all our offenses. By your Spirit, O God, take possession of our hearts, so that, not only the actions of our lives, but also the words of our mouths, and the smallest thoughts of our minds, may be guided and governed by you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. Private Confession Song Here I Am to Worship Light of the world You stepped down into darkness. Opened my eyes, let me see. Beauty that made this heart adore You Hope of a life spent with You Chorus: Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely All together worthy, All together wonderful to me 4

5 King of all days Oh, so highly exalted Glorious in heaven above Humbly You came To the earth You created All for love's sake became poor (Chorus) I'll never know how much it cost To see my sin upon that cross (Repeat 2x) Words of Pardon and Comfort Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Song O Little Town of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight 5

6 For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given! So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still, The dear Christ enters in. O holy Child of Bethlehem Descend to us, we pray Cast out our sin and enter in Be born in us today We hear the Christmas angels The great glad tidings tell O come to us, abide with us Our Lord Emmanuel (Children through Kindergarten are dismissed for Children s Church; they will return for Communion.) 6

7 Prayer of Intercession (Concluded by the Lord s Prayer) Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. High Desert Highlights See Announcements on page 14 Offertory Scripture John 3: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 7

8 Sermon: Dan Rose That He Gave His Only Son The Greatest Gift: The Gospel from John 3:16 Rev. Song: Clear It Came Upon the Midnight It came upon the midnight clear, That glorious song of old, From angels bending near the earth, To touch their harps of gold: "Peace on the earth, goodwill to men From heavens all gracious King!" The world in solemn stillness lay To hear the angels sing. Still through the cloven skies they come, With peaceful wings unfurled; And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world: Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing, And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing. O ye beneath life's crushing load, Whose forms are bending low, Who toil along the climbing way With painful steps and slow; 8

9 Look now, for glad and golden hours Come swiftly on the wing; Oh rest beside the weary road And hear the angels sing. For lo! The days are hastening on, By prophets seen of old, When with the ever-circling years Shall come the time foretold, When the new heaven and earth shall own The Prince of Peace, their King, And the whole world send back the song Which now the angels sing. Celebration of the Lord s Supper This is a time for all people to seek the Lord. For Christians, the Lord s Supper (also called Communion or The Eucharist, which means thanksgiving ) is a time to meet with their Savior by faith, to be strengthened and renewed by Him as they eat the bread and drink the elements. All baptized Christians who trust in Christ alone as their Savior and Lord, belong to a church that embraces the gospel, are at peace with their fellow neighbor, and seek strength and grace to live more faithfully to Christ, are invited to participate. If you are not a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer (see Prayers on page 13) and to consider more deeply your relationship to Jesus 9

10 Christ. We also ask that children who have not yet publicly professed their faith in Christ refrain from partaking until doing so. Both wine (red) and grape juice (white) are offered in each serving tray. Words of Institution Memorial Acclamation Minister: Therefore we proclaim the mystery of the faith: All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again! Minister: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. All: Therefore let us keep the feast. Minister: The gifts of God for the people of God. Communion Song Infant Holy, Infant Lowly Infant holy, infant lowly, for his bed a cattle stall; Oxen lowing, little knowing Christ, the babe, is Lord of all. Swift are winging angels singing, noels ringing, tidings bringing: Christ the babe is Lord of all. Christ the babe is Lord of all. Flocks were sleeping: shepherds keeping vigil till the morning new 10

11 Saw the glory, heard the story, tidings of a gospel true. Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow, praises voicing, greet the morrow: Christ the babe was born for you. Christ the babe was born for you. Prayer of Thanksgiving Gracious God, Jesus is the center point of history, and his presence is our new beginning. Center our lives on your lavish grace that not only saves but renews us to be like Jesus. May our godly living be a fitting testimony of thanksgiving that draws others to the joyful reign of Christ the King. Amen. Song Silent Night, Holy Night! Silent night! Holy night! All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and Child. Holy infant, so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace. 11

12 Silent night! Holy night! Shepherds quake at the sight! Glories stream from heav'n afar, Heavenly hosts sing: Alleluia, Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born! Silent night! Holy night! Wondrous star, lend thy light. With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King. Christ, the Savior, is born! Christ, the Savior, is born! Benediction Silent night! Holy night! Son of God, love's pure light Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord at thy birth. Jesus, Lord at thy birth. 12

13 Postlude All songs used by permission. CCLI License # Prayers Prayer for Those Searching for Truth: Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open me to the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life you promise. Amen. 13

14 Prayer of Belief: Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Amen. Prayer for Those Struggling with Sin: Lord Jesus, grant that I may see in you the fulfillment of all my need, and may turn from every false satisfaction to feed on you, the true and living bread. Enable me to lay aside the sin that clings so closely, and run with perseverance the race set before me, looking to you, the Pioneer and Perfecter of my faith. Amen. Prayer of Commitment: Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen. Announcements Next Sunday we will gather for worship at 10am at the McLeod Family YMCA. Pastor Dan will continue our Advent series based on John 3:16. 14

15 High Desert s Christmas Luncheon is today following worship. We will gather at the Clarks home, Elena Drive NE. Please bring a side or dessert to share! Men s study group will conclude our look at J.I. Packer s Knowing God this Tuesday, beginning at 615 am at the Kolache Factory. Join us on Monday, December 24 for HDPC s Christmas Eve candlelight service! We will begin at 430 pm, here at the YMCA. We will sing traditional carols and read Scripture lessons as we welcome the birth of Christ the King. Please invite your family and friends! 15