Sojourn Church Liturgy Recap: December 11, 2017: Advent Worship Service

by Bobby Gilles

in Liturgy & Sermons

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 1:26-39 comes from Pastor Jonah Sage. Learn more about our church here.

Joy, Joy written by Isaac Wardell.

Call to Worship

It is the 3rd Sunday of Advent. As Christmas day approaches, we celebrate that Christ has come into our dark world and His light shines IN and THROUGH His people. Our theme today is JOY so let’s hear God’s word and remember that God has done great things for us.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

   we were like those who dreamed.

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

   our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

   “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us,

   and we are filled with joy.

-Psalm 126:1-3

Come and Sing written by Jeremy Quillo.

Lament

Lasting joy is available in Christ, but it often seems so fleeting – we need Him to reorient our hearts as we find true Joy in Him. Let’s pray this portion of Psalm 130 aloud and allow ourselves room both to lament and also to rehearse true things about God. Let’s pray:

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

and in his Word I hope.

My soul waits for the Lord

more than those who watch for the morning.

There is no darkness with you, O Lord.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love,

and with him is plenteous redemption.

There is no darkness with you, O Lord.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

There is no darkness with you, O Lord.

—based on Psalm 130:5-7

What Child is This? written by William Chatterton Dix.

ASSURANCE/GIVING

In Christ, we see a light that can’t be extinguished by the darkness. Hear this word from Matthew’s gospel:

“The people who sat in darkness

have seen a great light.

And for those who lived in the land

where death casts its shadow,

a light has shined.”

-Matthew 4:16

As we enter our regular time of giving, let’s pray over our offering:

Father, thank you for Jesus.

In his light, we see your kindness

and mercy towards us.

You broke into our darkness and

showed us love when we deserved judgment.

So we give now, asking you to magnify

the light you’ve shone in us through your Church.

Use our tithes to bring more people to you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let’s give as we continue to sing about Christ.

What A Friend Is Jesus written by Jonatan Barahona

PASSING OF THE PEACE We as Christians have the MOST compelling reason to rejoice, because we know that GOD in Heaven came down to us on earth, just so that we would know how much He loves us. When we know how cherished we are by God, we have the freedom to love all of those that God brings to us, no matter what things the world says should separate us. Let’s celebrate this great love of God by greeting our neighbors here with us today!

[Sermon]

[Communion]

This is the Christ written by Martin Luther and Sandra McCracken

Joy to the World written by Isaac Watts

BENEDICTION

May God, who sent his angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy and make you heralds of the gospel. Go in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.

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