January 1, 2017
This is a weekly blog post with one purpose: to help those coming to Park’s Sunday gathering engage with the teaching and liturgy in a more meaningful way. We use this space to share in advance our Sunday’s liturgy: the scripture we’ll be studying, the songs we’ll be singing, and the prayers we’ll be praying together. We also share a handful of thoughts each week to help you use these things to prepare for the service.
This Sunday at Park Church, it’s the second week of Christmastide and we continue in The Coming of the King, our series for the season of Advent and Christmas.
1. Read through our text, Luke 2:22–40.
In this passage, we see the Messianic longing of men and women like Simeon and Anna fulfilled in the incarnation of Christ. The Holy Spirit comes upon them and they speak of the wondrous mystery! As you prepare this week, consider starting with this prayer from The Worship Sourcebook.
O Christ, the prophets foretold your coming,
the poor longed to see you.
The heavens celebrated your birth;
the apostles, the martyrs, and the faithful down though the ages repeated the song of the angels.
Your church praises you in every human language,
for she has seen your salvation.
Son of God, you humbled yourself and became a servant,
raising us up to share in your glory.
We were in darkness and you have given us
light and strength, peace and joy.
Lead us according to your loving will;
make us a people who follow you in holiness.
Give us generous hearts to hear your Word,
and produce in us abundant fruit,
through the power of your Spirit.
Amen.
2. Read, pray and sing through the service.
CALL TO WORSHIP: Isaiah 52:7–10
Always (Kristian Stanfill, Jason Ingram)
How Firm A Foundation (Bob Kauflin, Robert Keene)
CONFESSION OF SIN: From The Worship Sourcebook
Almighty God who inhabits eternity
but dwells with those who are of a humble and contrite spirit:
before you and our Lord Jesus Christ
we confess our sins.
We have ignored the presence of your Spirit.
We have failed to look for the return
of our Savior and Judge.
We have been blind to your coming
in the suffering of the hungry, the exiled,
the destitute, the sick, and the imprisoned.
In your great goodness
put away our offenses
and cleanse us from our sin,
for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.
On Christ the Solid Rock (William Batchelder Bradbury and Edward Mote, arr. Austin Stone)
ASSURANCE OF PARDON: 2 Corinthians 6:2
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Ludwig van Beethoven, Edward Hodges, Henry Van Dyke)
The Word Made Flesh by Ligonier:
We confess the mystery and wonder
of God made flesh
and rejoice in our great salvation
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
With the Father and the Holy Spirit,
the Son created all things,
sustains all things,
and makes all things new.
Truly God,
He became truly man,
two natures in one person.
He was born of the Virgin Mary
and lived among us.
Crucified, dead, and buried,
He rose on the third day,
ascended to heaven,
and will come again
in glory and judgment.
For us,
He kept the Law,
atoned for sin,
and satisfied God’s wrath.
He took our filthy rags
and gave us
His righteous robe.
He is our Prophet, Priest, and King,
building His church,
interceding for us,
and reigning over all things.
Jesus Christ is Lord;
we praise His holy Name forever.
Amen.
GREETING
SERMON & COMMUNION
Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery (Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, Michael Bleecker)
God I Look To You (Jenn Johnson)
BENEDICTION & SENDING