Welcome to Sojourn’s weekly worship music set list review & service recap. You’ll not only read a list of the songs we led, but also the readings and prayers from our liturgy. And if you’d like to see how we incorporate liturgical art and lead the responsive readings, watch the embedded Facebook Live video of our entire service, originally streamed on the Sojourn New Albany Facebook page. Our liturgy is written by worship director Justin Shaffer in collaboration with worship directors at other Sojourn churches. This week’s sermon on Luke 1:5-12 comes from Pastor Jonah Sage. Learn more about our church here.
Song of Zechariah, by David LaChance.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Good morning, and welcome to Sojourn! Today, the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Christians around the globe are lighting the candle of PEACE. As we begin our service, we remember that our God took the first step in establishing true peace for us by sending his son as our Mediator. His servant Zechariah celebrated the coming of the Christ, as we read from the book of Luke:
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
(Let’s read this together)
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
-Luke 1:68-69; (Song of Zechariah)
The God who orchestrated this great plan of salvation has gathered us today to sing and proclaim the good news- let’s sing.
Hark the Herald Angels Sing, by Charles Wesley
LAMENT
Church, we need peace; our world is full of everything but Peace. Civil wars rage around the globe… our own country is divided… divisions can even spring up in our church. These divisions have entered our homes and our families, and even this season of Cheer can bring to light deep wounds in our families and in our hearts. And so, we come to our God of all Peace:
Our world is in chaos, seemingly with no end in sight.
King Jesus, bring peace to us.
Our culture is divided, and it feels like the walls grow higher each day.
King Jesus, bring peace to us.
Even Your Church, O Lord, is divided in selfish ambition and pride.
King Jesus, bring peace to us.
Christ Jesus, You bore the wrath of God, so that we could have peace with God.
King Jesus, bring peace to us. King Jesus, reign in our hearts.
King Jesus, teach us to die to ourselves, so that we may be vessels of Your peace on earth.
Amen.
As we sing together, let’s ask God to overcome our fears with His perfect Peace.
There is a Peace, by Charlie Richardson.
CELEBRATION OF ASSURANCE
Zechariah foretold the peace that Jesus would soon usher in with vivid imagery. Hear the word of the Lord:
Because of God’s tender mercy,
the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
and to guide us to the path of peace.” -Luke 1:78-80New Living Translation (NLT)
Christ, the morning light, has come and brought us out of darkness – defeating death – and is guiding us in the path to peace. This is good news for us friends… we need a savior and a guide and his name is JESUS!
GIVING (this week Pastor Jonah spoke extemporaneously on year-end giving.
He Who is Mighty, by Kate Degraide and Rebecca Elliott.
PASSING OF THE PEACE
Hear the word of the Lord:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” -Luke 2:13-14 (ESV)
Let’s greet one another in celebration of the peace a baby in a manger would bring us on earth.
[Sermon]
[Communion]
Amen, Amen, by Neil and Kate Degraide.
In Christ Alone, by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.
BENEDICTION
Be people of peace.
Let peace live in your heart and share the peace of Christ with all you meet.
Share peace by acting out of compassion and not fear.
Share peace by listening to all sides of the story.
Share peace by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share peace.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations, share peace and hope with those you meet.
May peace be with you