Preparing for Worship: First Sunday of Advent - November 27
God Calls Us to Worship Him
Call to Worship: "Come Thou Redeemer of the Earth"
Come, thou Redeemer of the earth,
And manifest thy virgin birth.
Let every age adoring fall;
Such birth befits the God of all.
Sprung from no seed of human race
But by the Spirit’s mystic grace,
The promised fruit of Mary’s womb,
The Word of God, doth flesh assume.
Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! (Psalm 24:7-10)
Hymn of Adoration: "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"
Come Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel's strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
God Graciously Renews Us in Christ
Confession of Sin:
“We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against our leaders.
Pray that the Lord will take this sin from us.” (adapted from Numbers 21:7-9)
Forgiveness of Sin through Christ:
The eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits from the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:18-22)
"The First Noel"
The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay.
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night that was so deep
Noel, noel, noel, noel.
Born is the King of Israel.
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far.
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far.
To seek for a king was their intent
And to follow the star wherever it went.
This star drew nigh to the northwest.
O'er Bethlehem it took its rest.
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.
Then entered in those wise men three
Full rev'rently upon the knee
And offered there in His presence
Their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
Thanking God for What He Has Done
“O give thanks to the Lord, and call on his Name;
tell the people what things he has done.” (Psalm 105:1)
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Hymn of Affirmation: "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus"
Tell me the story of Jesus;
Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels, in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth,
‘Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.’
Tell me the story of Jesus;
Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
God Instructs Us through His Word
Luke 1:57-80 (HCSB)
Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she had a son. Then her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her His great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. When they came to circumcise the child on the eighth day, they were going to name him Zechariah, after his father. But his mother responded, “No! He will be called John.” Then they said to her, “None of your relatives has that name.” So they motioned to his father to find out what he wanted him to be called. He asked for a writing tablet and wrote: HIS NAME IS JOHN. And they were all amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue set free, and he began to speak, praising God. Fear came on all those who lived around them, and all these things were being talked about throughout the hill country of Judea. All who heard about him took it to heart, saying, “What then will this child become?” For, indeed, the Lord’s hand was with him.
Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David, just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times; salvation from our enemies and from the clutches of those who hate us. He has dealt mercifully with our fathers and remembered His holy covenant — the oath that He swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, since we have been rescued from our enemies’ clutches, to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days.
And child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the Dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The child grew up and became spiritually strong, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
God Feeds and Nourishes Us through His Supper
"Blessed Be the God of Israel"
Blessed be the God of Israel
Who comes to set us free
And raises up new hope for us
A branch from David’s tree.
So have the prophets long declared
That with mighty arm
God would turn back our enemies
And all who wish us harm.
With promised mercy will God still
The covenant recall,
The oath once sworn to Abraham
From foes to save us all,
That we might worship without fear
And offer lives of praise
In holiness and righteousness
To serve God all our days
My child as prophet of the Lord
You will prepare the way
To tell God’s people they are saved
From sins’ eternal sway.
Then shall God’s mercy from on high
Shine forth and never cease
To drive away the gloom of death
And lead us into peace.
God Blesses Us and Sends Us Out
Benediction:
May the Father who bought you, the Father who has made you and established you, make you complete, like-minded and comforted by the God of love and peace.
(adapted from Deuteronomy 32:6; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:2)
