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 John 5:31-40 in our Christmas & Epiphany series Finding Hope: How To Experience Christ Like Never Before. To learn more about Sojourn Church, click here.
December 27, 2020 – Jonah Sage – Christ In Scripture from Sojourn Collective on Vimeo.
CALL TO WORSHIP: Liturgist
Themes: God’s Word, Finding Jesus in Scripture
Merry Christmas, Sojourn! As we’ve journeyed through Advent together, we’ve been reminded that our faith involves a lot of searching… a lot of waiting, especially at Christmas time. Let us be reminded today of the Good News that our search leads to a Savior. The one we have waited for is here, and he is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the World!
Maybe some of you are still searching. Maybe this is your first step. Maybe you wandered in here just to get out of the cold, or logged on because a friend invited you. We invite you to join your voice with ours as we journey together, confident that Jesus will show us the way, because Jesus IS the way.
Hear God’s word:
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” -John 14:6-7
Let’s sing…
—Song 1: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” Key, Leader
CONFESSION/LAMENT: Band Member
At Christmas time, we speak a lot about hope, light and joy. We will continue to hold onto those things, while also acknowledging the pain and loss so many of us feel during this season. The loss brought by the death of a loved one; the loss of connection with friends and family during a pandemic; even the loss of excitement after all the presents have been opened.
What can we do with all this loss and pain? We can come to God and His Word. Hear the words of the Psalmist, and I invite you to read the underlined portion aloud with me:
“I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
if you’ll just show me how.”
Psalm 119:25-32 (The Message)
—Song 2: “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” Key, Leader
ASSURANCE & GIVING: Liturgist
Themes: Faithful God
Friends, we can be confident, not just at Christmas but every day of every year, that when we look to God we will see that He is faithful. He will not leave us in the darkness. He will carry us through the pain, and shape us to be more like Jesus.
I invite you to echo the words of Paul the Apostle aloud with me:
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22
We can also respond to God’s faithfulness by being generous. One way we rehearse this generosity is through giving. Feel free to give online or through our Sojourn app, or drop your giving off as you leave. Remember that we are still collecting for year-end giving as well. This supports the local groups HOPE Southern Indiana, and the Homeless Coalition of Southern Indiana.
Let’s sing to God, Who is the Source of all good things…
—Song 3: “God Is With Us” Key, Leader
PASSING OF THE PEACE: Band Member
God came into this world as a tiny baby so that we could be with Him, and experience true life and peace. Through Jesus, we have that peace among each other as well. Let’s take a moment and greet our neighbors and family.
—————————————— [SERMON & COMMUNION] ——————————————-
—Song 4: “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” Key, Leader
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reader
BENEDICTION: Liturgist
May the light of Jesus shine brighter than the darkness of pain for you now, and in the coming year. May the hope of Heaven guide you along the way as you go… in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you.