December 8, 2019
We’re in our second week 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 2:36–38.
As we continue our journey through the Advent season, we’ll be looking at the prophetess Anna and her deep hunger for God.
This week, we’re also considering her practice of fasting. In a culture of instant gratification, short-sighted pleasure, and self-indulgence, fasting is a powerful way to remind ourselves that God is the ultimate source of satisfaction. It is a way to pray with our bodies for a deeper hunger for God.
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Jeremiah 23:5–6, 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.
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Rowland Hugh Prichard, Charles Wesley addl. verse Luke Brawner)
Is He Worthy? (Andrew Peterson, Ben Shive arr. Shane & Shane)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Weight Of Glory by C.S. Lewis
Mighty God,
we confess that we are far too easily pleased.
Truth be told, we are half-hearted creatures,
fooling about with your gifts and forgetting You, the Gift-giver.
Forgive us for our short-sightedness and negligence.
Help us see our desires for You are not too strong, but too weak.
Open our eyes to see Your great worth!
Open our mouths to taste Your goodness!
Open our hearts to experience You afresh this season of Advent.
May we count everything as loss
compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus.
Remind us today of our singular need for You.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: Isaiah 40:9–11
Lord I Need You (Carson, Maher, Nockels, Reeves, Stanfill) / You Keep On Getting Better (Dante Bowe, Jonathan Jay, Majesty Rose)
GREETING, SERMON, & RESPONSE
All Who Are Thirsty (Brenton Brown, Glenn Robertson)
COMMUNION
‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus (William J. Kirkpatrick, Louisa M. R. Stead arr. Page CXVI)
King of Kings (Jason Ingram, Brooke Ligertwood, Scott Ligertwood)