December 10, 2017
We’re in the second week of Your Kingdom Come: Gospel Promises from Isaiah, our series for Advent. Read more about the season of Advent here! Here’s how you can prepare for this week:
1. Read through our text, Isaiah 35:1–10.
We often speak of “longing” during the Season of Advent—we look at the way things are and honestly say, “This is not the way this is supposed to be,” while we look at our King, Jesus, and say, “Come again, Lord, and make these things the way they are supposed to be!” Our text this week, not unlike Isaiah 11:6–9 last week, answers the question, “How are things supposed to be?” It’s a dream—wide-awake and truth-informed—of the Kingdom come.
2. Read, pray and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: The Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew 6:9–13
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (John Neale, Henry Coffin, arr. Chichi Agorom, The Christian Year)
Rejoice The Lord Is King (Joel Limpic, Charles Wesley)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From Scotty Smith’s Every Season Prayers
Almighty and most merciful Father,
we begin the season of Advent with the brokenness of the world in our eyes,
the cries of our neighbors in our ears,
and the reality of our sin in our hearts.
Thus, we look to Jesus—the author and perfecter of our faith;
sacrifice and priest of our salvation;
Lord and restorer of all things.
By Your grace, and for Your glory, forgive our sins and renew our hearts.
Help us to move through a worldly holiday of excess
unto a worshipful Advent and Christmas.
Help us to love as You love us, forgive as we’ve been forgiven,
and freely give as we have freely received.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Wash Me Clean (David Wilton)
His Mercy Is More (Matt Boswell, Matt Papa)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Isaiah 25:6–9
THE APOSTLES’ CREED:
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, dead and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
I believe in the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
The forgiveness of sins;
The resurrection of the body;
And the life everlasting.
Amen.
GREETING, SERMON, & COMMUNION
RESPONSE: Song & Prayer
Advent Song (Charlie Hall, Joel Limpic)
We Will Feast In The House Of Zion (Sandra McCracken)