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, and our Liturgy writing team (Rebekah Carroll, Ryan Marsh, and Lindsey Blair).
This Sunday Pastor Jonah Sage preached from Isaiah 9 in our series Rumors Of Messiah.
—Prelude: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” Key, Leader
CALL TO WORSHIP: Liturgist
Good morning! Welcome to Sojourn – Peace be with you! Today, the 2nd Sunday of Advent, we join Christians around the world in lighting the candle of PEACE. Let us remember and rejoice that our God is present where we are by grace and peace. …as we read from the book of John:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. -John 1:1-5 NIV
—Song 2: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” Key, Leader
CONFESSION/LAMENT: Band Member
Here, we see things darkly, our peace is obscured by the suffering that surrounds us; our contentment by the sinful longings of our own hearts. We depart from God’s desires and our hopes and desires are distorted.
Give us a hunger for Christ and open our eyes to enjoy true freedom in him. May we find satisfaction in Christ and cling to him alone, as we navigate this dark and divided world and long for Christ’s return. Amen.
Take a moment to ask the Lord to reveal any areas of unconfessed sin, to grieve the sorrow that weighs you down, and receive the grace and peace of Jesus.
[SILENCE]
Let’s sing!
—Song 3: “There is a Peace” Key, Leader
ASSURANCE: Liturgist
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 1:78-80 (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, a guide, a LORD, and his name is JESUS!
May we sing as an outpouring of gratitude for the gift of our Savior.
—Song 4: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” Key, Leader
PEACE: Band Member
Hear the word of the Lord:
…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 as a celebration, a proclamation, a declaration of the peace a baby in a manger has brought us
—————————————— [SERMON & COMMUNION] ——————————————
—Song 5: “Amen, Amen” Key, Leader
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reader
—Song 6: “What Child is This?” Key, Leader
BENEDICTION: Liturgist
The Lord Jesus is our source of peace, reconciling us to God (Isaiah 53:5). His peace is sufficient because He is sovereign, and His peace is certain because He is always with us (Philippians 4:17 and 2 Timothy 4:17). Our messiah is Emmanuel, God with us, the prince of peace.
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. [Go in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Peace be with you!]
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV)