December 29, 2019
This Sunday at Park Church we’ll celebrate the season of Christmastide together.
Learn about Christmastide and explore our artistic accompaniment to the season over at The Christian Year. Here’s how you can prepare for Sunday:
1. Read through our text, Isaiah 9:1–7.
What is Christmastide? Here’s what The Worship Sourcebook says:
“Whereas during Advent we anticipate the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, at Christmas we identify with the angels who proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest”; with the shepherds, who were afraid but nevertheless offered worship; and with Mary, who pondered the meaning of these events in her heart (Luke 2:13–20). Celebrating Christmas as a season helps us both to enter into the meaning of the incarnation more fully than celebrating a single day and to focus on additional Scripture texts that explore the meaning of Christmas beyond the familiar words of Luke 2.”
2. Read, pray, and sing through the service:
CALL TO WORSHIP: Isaiah 9:2–3
Go Tell It On The Mountain (John W. Work Jr. arr. The Christian Year)
Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery (Michael Bleecker, Matt Boswell, Matt Papa)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From Every Season Prayers by Scotty Smith:
Dear heavenly Father, with the angels, we shout loud praises over the birth of Jesus;
with the shepherds, we respond with joy for the gift of a Savior;
with Mary, we treasure and ponder this good news in our hearts.
You have been faithful to fulfill ancient prophecies and Your covenant promises.
Because of Jesus’ finished work, we now live in Your perpetual favor;
and because of the Spirit’s ongoing work, we now humble ourselves before You.
We confess our sins to You: Forgive us for attitudes and actions that misrepresent You,
contradict Your grace, and sabotage love.
Forgive us for speaking words that brought harm and shame,
and for withholding words that bring healing and hope.
Forgive us for spending so much time and energy on ourselves and our trifles,
and so little time with You and on the things that matter the most.
We offer our prayer, humbly, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 1 John 1:5–9
Grace Alone (Dustin Kensrue) / You Keep On Getting Better (Dante Bowe, Jonathan Jay, Majesty Rose)
GREETING, SERMON, RESPONSE, & COMMUNION
Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) (Joel Houston, Jonas Myrin)
We Will Feast In The House Of Zion (Sandra McCracken, Joshua Moore)