Christian Liturgy 101: Third Sunday Of Advent 2020

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. You can also watch the video stream of the whole service from our Facebook page or here below (you can also see a video of our sermon alone, from Vimeo).

Our liturgy is directed by Worship Director Justin Shaffer, in collaboration with our Creative Staff at Sojourn Church New Albany, our Liturgy writers, and worship staff at the other four Sojourn Collective churches in the Louisville area.

This Sunday Pastor Jonah Sage preached from Exodus 34:5-8 in our Advent series Finding God: Seeing Christ In The Darkness. To learn more about Sojourn Church, click here.

December 13, 2020 – Jonah Sage – Heart Of God – HD 720p from Sojourn Collective on Vimeo.

CALL TO WORSHIP:   Liturgist

Themes: Shepherd/Joy Candle  

It’s the third Sunday in Advent: the season when the church celebrates and anticipates the coming of Jesus at Christmas. Each week, we light these candles; each symbolizes a specific aspect of our anticipation and Christ’s fulfillment. We remember that Christ has come and Christ will come again. Our world is a dark place, but the birth of the Savior is like a beacon, shining forth the hope and light that has come to us. 

Hear the word of the Lord:

(First Candle)

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

– Isaiah 9:2 NIV

(Second Candle)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

– John 1:1-5 NIV

(Third Candle)

He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.

I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

– Isaiah 49:6 NLT

—Song 1: “Joy to the World” Key, Leader

PRAYER OF LAMENT:  Band Member

Though the good news of the Christ-child has been announced to the world, there remains brokenness all around us.  As we long for Christ’s return to set things right, let us pray:

Our Father,

We long for the coming of your kingdom in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

The signs that your kingdom has not come sadden us.

We grieve over a virus that has brought devastation and destruction in many forms.

We lament homelessness, generational poverty, racism, and all manner of injustice.

We mourn over Christians being forced underground, persecuted & killed because they follow you.

We are broken over broken and unreconciled relationships.

Lord Jesus, we long for your return when you will lift up the brokenhearted and restore peace.

In this season of Advent, give us a deeper understanding of the hope we have beyond this world.

Help us to cling to the promises you have made in Jesus Christ. Amen. 

—Song 2: “Hosanna In The Highest” Key, Leader

ASSURANCE & GIVING: Liturgist

Themes:

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.”               -Titus 3:4-7

In 1-2 Sentences: “”  

—Song 3: “Angels We Have Heard On High” Key, Leader

PASSING OF THE PEACE: Band Member

[Spoken Text]

——————————————   [SERMON & COMMUNION]   ——————————————-

—Song 4: “Go Tell it On the Mountain” Key, Leader

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reader

BENEDICTION: Liturgist

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

-Revelation 21:3b-5a (ESV)

King Jesus came to make all things new, for you and for me and for all. Go sharing his good news this Advent season in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you!

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