December 1, 2019
It’s the first Sunday of Advent! Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas where we celebrate the fulfilled promise of the first coming of Jesus and heighten our anticipation for His second coming, when the wolf will lie down with the lamb, death will be swallowed up, and every tear will be wiped away.
See our resources for Advent prayer and fasting here, and explore our artistic accompaniment to the season over at The Christian Year. Here’s how you can prepare for this Sunday:
1. Read through our text, Luke 2:22–32.
This year, we’ll be looking at the life, practices, and longings of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. We hope to learn from their affections and longings for all they can teach us in this season.
In Luke 2:22–32, Simeon meets Jesus when Mary and Joseph bring Him to the temple to offer the customary sacrifice for their firstborn son. Simeon had been waiting for this day, and blesses God while holding the long-awaited Christ in his arms.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: 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 (“universal”) church;
the communion of saints;
The forgiveness of sins;
The resurrection of the body;
And the life everlasting.
Amen.
Joy To The World (Joyful, Joyful) (George Frideric Handel, Isaac Watts, Phil Wickham)
Rejoice The Lord Is King (Joel Limpic, Charles Wesley)
CONFESSION OF SIN
Wonderful Counselor, we confess that, like Martha, our hearts are often far too busy and frenetic to actually slow down and listen in this season. We seek comfort and counsel from things that can’t truly comfort or counsel us into life—greed, lust, distractions, and shiny things come knocking, creeping into our hearts to take up residence. For these things, we say “forgive us!”
Lead us to join Mary at Your feet in this season.
To know that material things can never satisfy us.
To treasure Your presence before we ask for things.
To listen for Your still, small voice before we speak.
To prepare a way in our hearts for a visitation from You.
To be still and know that You are God.
To long for You as the one thing that is needed most in this season,
knowing this one thing will never be taken from us.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Isaiah 9:6–7
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Rowland Hugh Prichard, Charles Wesley addl. verses Mark E. Hunt) / Not In A Hurry (Michael Ketterer, Will Reagan)
GREETING, SERMON, & RESPONSE
All Who Are Thirsty (Brenton Brown, Glenn Robertson)
COMMUNION
All Things New (Horatius Bonar, Clint Wells)
King of Kings (Jason Ingram, Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood)