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 full service from our Facebook page (see a video of our sermon alone below).
Worship Director Justin Shaffer directs our liturgy, collaborating with our Creative Staff at Sojourn Church New Albany and our Liturgy writing team (Rebekah Carroll, Ryan Marsh, Libby Thorngate, and Lindsey Blair). This Sunday, Pastor Jonah Sage preached on Hebrews 4:15a.
—Prelude: “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” Key, Leader
CALL TO WORSHIP: Liturgist
Good morning! Welcome to Sojourn this second Sunday of Advent! This morning, we invite you to experience the reality of Christ’s presence even as we long for his return. Let’s read this stunningly beautiful prophesy together as Lindsey lights the candle of peace:
11 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—
yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3 He will delight in obeying the Lord.
He will not judge by appearance
nor make a decision based on hearsay.
4 He will give justice to the poor
and make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word,
and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
5 He will wear righteousness like a belt
and truth like an undergarment.
6 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
and a little child will lead them all.
7 The cow will graze near the bear.
The cub and the calf will lie down together.
The lion will eat hay like a cow.
8 The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.
Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.
9 Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,
for as the waters fill the sea,
so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.
10 In that day the heir to David’s throne
will be a banner of salvation to all the world.
The nations will rally to him,
and the land where he lives will be a glorious place.
-Isaiah 11:1-10 NLT
Let us rally to him now! Let us lift our voices and sing!
—Song 2: “Come Thou Fount” Key, Leader
LAMENT/SUPPLICATION: Band Member
Let’s pray God’s word aloud together: (Pray each phrase followed by 6-8 seconds of silence with light music underneath)
1 Give your love of justice to the king, O God,
and righteousness to the king’s son.
2 Help him judge your people in the right way;
let the poor always be treated fairly.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for all,
and may the hills be fruitful.
4 Help him to defend the poor,
to rescue the children of the needy,
and to crush their oppressors.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun shines,
as long as the moon remains in the sky.
Yes, forever!
6 May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass,
like the showers that water the earth.
7 May all the godly flourish during his reign.
May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.
18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does such wonderful things.
19 Praise his glorious name forever!
Let the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and amen!
-Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 NLT
—Song 3: “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” Key, Leader
ASSURANCE/PEACE: Band Member
Hear the word of the Lord:
4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. 8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. 9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:
“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing praises to your name.”
10 And in another place it is written,
“Rejoice with his people,
you Gentiles.”
11 And yet again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.”
12 And in another place Isaiah said,
“The heir to David’s throne will come,
and he will rule over the Gentiles.
They will place their hope on him.”
-Romans 15:4-12 NLT
Let’s take a moment to greet one another in the grace and peace of Christ
—————————————— [SERMON] ——————————————-
—Song 4: “What a Friend Is Jesus” Key, Leader
NICENE CREED: Liturgist
Today’s sermon taught us that we pray to experience the nearness of Jesus who understands our weaknesses. And that, Christian, is the very essence of the rhythms of our Gathering on Sunday. Do you see it? Let’s recite the Nicene Creed together, as believers have been doing for millennia.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord,
Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at
the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son
who with the Father and the Son
is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
COMMUNION: Liturgist
We experience the nearness of Jesus who understands our weaknesses, and we announce the mystery of faith. In the Lord’s supper, we are invited to remember that Christ’s very presence is available to us. He surrounds us, invigorates, and inspires us. Let’s turn our minds and imaginations to the night that our Lord Jesus was betrayed. He took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, after supper, Jesus took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the forgiveness of sins: Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
Therefore we announce the mystery of faith together (say this with me)
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast!
Christ our Passover is sacrificed, once for all upon the Cross.
Therefore let us keep the feast!
As we begin to sing, come forward to receive communion. Our tradition is to take a piece of bread and dip it in the juice or wine – the wine will be marked by twine. If you are not a Christian, we ask you to wait and consider the Lord’s invitation for you today. This is a covenant renewal ceremony, where we remember the covenant Christ made with us by the shedding of his blood, the covenant we accepted as we were baptized into his name.
Those of you who need gluten free communion elements will find them over here, to my left and your right. And if you need a hands-free, single serve cup, you’ll find them in this far corner, to my right and your left.
Behold the Lamb of God,
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
—Song 5: “O Little Town of Bethlehem” Key, Leader Let’s not repeat
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reader
—Song 6: “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” Key, Leader
BENEDICTION: Liturgist
13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. [Go in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Peace be with you!] -Romans 15:13