Christian Liturgy 101: How One Church Worshiped New Year’s Day 2022

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 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, Deacon Justin Shaffer preached on Psalm 118:1-16.

—Prelude: “Lord You’re Mighty” Key, Leader

 

CALL TO WORSHIP:   Liturgist

Good morning, Sojourn, and HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we enter worship, we remember God’s favorite thing: redemption. There’s something about entering a new calendar year that feels so refreshing — so hopeful — it’s a wonderful time to remember that our God is good, patient, and most importantly, faithful. He sent us his son to redeem the world, and he has the power and the desire to redeem whatever is lost and broken in your life. Let’s read these words together: 

 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you

    from the fowler’s snare

    and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation.”

– Psalm 91: 1-4, 14-16, NIV

       

Let’s sing of God’s enduring faithfulness. 

 

—Song 2: “Yes and Amen” Key, Leader

 

CONFESSION:  Band Member

Let’s pray these words together: 

 

Generous God, you give us the greatest gift of all, yourself, but often we find it hard to take notice — we have not followed the light of your Word. We have not searched for the signs of your love in the world or trusted your good news to be good. We have failed to praise your son’s birth and refused his peace on earth. We have expected little and hoped for less. Forgive our doubt and for the casual way we treat your gift of love. Free us from our sin so that we may fully experience the glad story of our Savior. Amen. 

Adapted from The Worship Sourcebook 

 

—Song 3: “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus” Key, Leader

 

ASSURANCE & PEACE: Band Member

Hear these words of assurance: 

 

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

 

John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

 

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

 

-John 1:14-17, NLT

 

Praise God! The work has been done. As a result, we are filled with joy and peace. Let’s take a moment to share that peace with one another. 

 

——————————————   [SERMON]   ——————————————-

 

—Song 4: “I Have to Believe” Key, Leader

 

NICENE CREED: Liturgist

Today’s sermon taught us that God is good and he is with us. Let’s recite the Nicene Creed together, as believers have been doing for centuries.

 

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

Because of God’s faithfulness and goodness, we announce the mystery of faith, and we can also experience it. 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: “All Glory Be To Christ” Key, Leader

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Reader

 

—Song 6: “Go Tell It On The Mountain” Key, Leader

 

BENEDICTION: Liturgist

“Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” Go in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit. Peace be with you! 

Deut. 7:9

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