ADVENT 1 – HOPE
The Season of Advent is the period of four Sundays and weeks preceding December 25th.
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent simply means “coming.” It is a season preparing us for the coming of Jesus. Today, we wait just as the people of the Old Testament did. Not for his first coming as Messiah – which prophets foretold – but his second coming as King. During this season of Advent, we will light candles to symbolize the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love that we find in Christ as we await the coming of the light of the world.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
Words by Joachim Neander (1680); Music: LOBE DEN HERREN
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation!
All ye who hear; now to his temple draw near,
Join me in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth;
Shelters thee under his wings, yes, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how all thy longings have been
Granted in what he ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with his love he befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the Amen sound from his people again;
Gladly for aye we adore him.
Today we light the first Advent candle, the candle of HOPE. We look forward to the coming of Jesus, who is our hope now and forever.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope.” 1 Peter 1:3
In this hope we look forward to celebrating Jesus’ birth on Christmas, and we look forward to Jesus’ coming again.
Prayer
Dear God, as we light this candle, we pray that you will shine the light of your hope into our hearts and into our world. God of hope, we come to you in the midst of a world filled with troubles. Although the darkness is powerful, open our eyes, Lord, to the light of your presence. Give us faith to stand against the voices of division and violence. Through your Spirit remake us into hope-filled disciples with a desire for the world to know you. In the name of Jesus, our only hope, we pray, Amen.
Light Advent Candle #1
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Words by Charles Wesley (1744); Music by Rowland Hugh Prichard, HYFRYDOL (1830)
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
Testimony
Ask a member of the congregation to talk about a time when he or she faced a particularly difficult time but through God’s grace was able to have hope.
[Anne has been a church member all her life. She has a husband and two grown sons. Soon after her return from a two-week mission trip, her husband sat down with her and told her that he didn’t love her anymore and wanted to move out. Ann was devastated. In the weeks since this happened she has experienced intense feelings of betrayal and loss. But she says she has also felt the real presence of God upholding her through this time. As she struggles with the hurt, she has hope because she knows that God is beside her.]
Prayer – for hope to abound
Unto Us
Words and Music by Steven Brooks
© 2008 Worship Quest Music
For unto us a child is born
For unto us a Son is given
For unto us a child is born
For unto us a Son is given
And he shall reign, and we will praise his name
And he shall reign, and we will praise his name
He’ll be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Offering Prayer
Offertory:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (instrumental)
Words by John Mason Neale (1851); Music: VENI EMMANUEL
Prayer of Illumination
Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, and the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word during these days of Advent, and walk with us until the day of your coming. Amen.
Sermon
The Lord’s Supper
[instrumental music played or congregational singing]
The Mystery of the Faith
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!
He Shall Reign Forevermore
Words and Music by Chris Tomlin and Matt Maher
© 2015 S.D.G Publishing, Worship Together Music, sixsteps Songs, Be Essential Songs, I Am A Pilgrim Songs
In the bleak mid-winter all creation groans,
For a world in darkness, frozen like a stone
Light is breaking, in a stable for a throne
And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore
And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore
Unto us a Child is born
The King of kings and Lord of lords
And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore
If I were a wise man I would travel far
If I were a shepherd, I would do my part
But poor as I am I will give to Him my heart
And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore
And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore
Unto us a Child is born
The King of kings and Lord of lords
And he shall reign forevermore, forevermore
Here within a manger lies
The One who made the starry skies
This baby born for sacrifice
Christ, the Messiah!
Into our hopes, into our fears
The Savior of the world appears
The promise of eternal years
Christ, the Messiah!
ADVENT 2 – PEACE
(Advent candle #1 is lit before the service)
Today we continue our journey through the Advent season. In just a few moments we will be lighting the candle of PEACE. Only Jesus, who came to earth to be our Prince of Peace, can give us peace. Let’s raise our voices together to the Prince of Peace.
O Holy Night
Words by John S. Dwight (1847); Music by Adolphe Adam
O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope--the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the Wise Men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend.
He knows our need– to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
Truly he taught us to love one another;
His law is love and his gospel is peace.
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother,
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise his name forever!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim!
Today we light the candle of PEACE. Only Jesus, the Prince of Peace, can give us peace. In Philippians 4 Paul wrote,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer
Dear God, as we light this candle of PEACE, help us to know how close you are to us all the time, and help us to show you and your peace to other people. Amen.
Light Advent Candle #2
Let’s continue to think upon the peace that only Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, can bring.
Silent Night
Words by Joseph Mohr; Music by Franz Gruber (1818)
Silent night! Holy night!
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav’nly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light,
Radiant beams from thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.
Silent night! Holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing
Alleluias to our King;
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Christ, the Savior, is born!
Isn’t He?
Words and Music by John Wimber
© 1980 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing
Isn’t he, beautiful?
Beautiful, isn’t he?
Prince of Peace, Son of God
Isn’t he?
Isn't he, wonderful?
Wonderful, isn’t he?
Counselor, Almighty God
Isn’t he, isn’t he, isn’t he?
Yes You are, beautiful...
Testimony
Ask a member of the congregation to talk about his or her desire for peace. Is there some place in the world, the city, or in life for which he or she especially longs for peace?
Frank, a police officer, spoke about his desire for peace in the church neighborhood. Last summer an increase of violence and unrest in the neighborhood raised the congregation’s concern for the people who live in the area. Frank asked for prayers for the city and for the police officers as they try to keep the peace.
Prayer – for peace to abound
Father, we thank you for sending your Son, the Prince of Peace. We desperately need his peace. We long not solely for peace on earth, but also, more deeply, for the peace of Christ; that “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7).
Our world is longing for peace in so many places! [insert current events]
Lord, help us to open our hearts for peace and may the peace of Christ reign in our lives. Amen.
This next hymn is a popular carol from the 19th century. It comes from a place of tragedy and a renewal of hope. Henry Longfellow was married with five children when the American Civil War broke out. In 1861, his wife Fanny died in a fire accident in their home. Her death sent Henry into a deep depression. The first Christmas after her death, Longfellow wrote in his journal, “How inexpressibly sad are all holidays.” A year after her death, he wrote, “I can make no record of these days. Better leave them wrapped in silence. Perhaps someday God will give me peace.” Longfellow's journal entry for December 25th 1862 reads: “‘A merry Christmas' say the children, but that is no more for me.”
Almost a year later, Longfellow received word that his oldest son Charles, a lieutenant in the Army, had been severely wounded and crippled in the war. The Christmas of 1863 was silent in Longfellow's journal.
Finally, on Christmas Day of 1864, the Lord broke through to Longfellow and he wrote the words of the poem, “Christmas Bells.” The sound of the pealing bells penetrates the despair Longfellow had been experiencing, filling him with a sense of hope that: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail...” The message that the Living God is a God of Peace is proclaimed in the close of the carol: “Of peace on Earth, good will to men."
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Words by Henry W. Longfellow (1864); Music by Jean Baptiste Calkin
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace of earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
Offering Prayer
Offertory:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (instrumental)
Words by John Mason Neale (1851); Music: VENI EMMANUEL
Prayer of Illumination
Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, and the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word during these days of Advent, and walk with us until the day of your coming. Amen.
Sermon
The Lord’s Supper
[instrumental music played or congregational singing]
The Mystery of the Faith
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear
Words by Edmund H. Sears (1849); CAROL
It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O'er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever o’er its Babel sounds
The blessed angels sing.
And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! for glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
And hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet seen of old,
When with the ever-circling years
Shall come the time foretold
When peace shall over all the earth
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world send back the song
Which now the angels sing.
ADVENT 3 – JOY
(Advent candles #1 & 2 are lit before the service)
As we gather for worship, we will be reminded that true joy only comes from the Father, by his Son, and through the Holy Spirit.
Let’s lift our praises to Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Angels We Have Heard on High
English text by James Chadwick (1862); GLORIA, Traditional French Carol
Angels we have heard on high,
Sweetly singing o'er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echo back their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo,
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be,
Which inspire your heav'nly song? [Refrain]
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King. [Refrain]
Today we light the candle of JOY. In Luke 2:10 the angel told the shepherds,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord.”
Jesus’ birth brings us great joy.
Prayer
Dear God, give us joy in our hearts, now and forever. As we light this candle, may we be reminded to always tell other people about your joy. Amen.
Light Advent Candle #3
Joy Has Dawned
Words and Music by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
© 2004 ThankYou Music
Joy has dawned upon the world,
Promised from creation—
God’s salvation now unfurled,
Hope for ev’ry nation.
Not with fanfares from above,
Not with scenes of glory,
But a humble gift of love—
Jesus born of Mary.
Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of Life
Shelters in a stable.
Hands that set each star in place,
Shaped the earth in darkness,
Cling now to a mother’s breast,
Vuln’rable and helpless.
Shepherds bow before the Lamb,
Gazing at the glory;
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story.
Gold—a King is born today,
Incense—God is with us,
Myrrh—his death will make a way,
And by his blood He’ll win us.
Son of Adam, Son of heaven,
Given as a ransom;
Reconciling God and man,
Christ, our mighty champion!
What a Savior! What a Friend!
What a glorious myst’ry!
Once a babe in Bethlehem,
Now the Lord of hist’ry.
Testimony
Ask a member of the congregation to talk about the joy of knowing that he or she belongs to God. Some members will have a conversion story to tell; others will tell of being raised in the church and at some point claiming that faith as their own. (While “Damascus Road” testimonies are inspiring, don’t overlook someone who has a less exciting story of coming to know the Lord. Using ordinary conversion stories will encourage members to share their stories at home.)
Brandon doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t love the Lord. When he was in high school he started thinking more about God and what it means to live for Jesus. Through spending time on retreats with friends and talking to youth leaders and other adults, Brandon came to realize that the faith that he grew up with was actually his faith too. As an adult, he continues to learn about God and he looks back with joy at the time in high school when his faith became real and personal.
Prayer – for joy to abound
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
Words by Linda Lee Johnson; Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Words © 1985, 1988 Lillenas Publishing Company
Joyful joyful we adore you
God of glory Lord of light
Angels lifting praise before you
Sing throughout this holy night
In a manger lies a baby
Child of Mary, Son of God
Voices joined in joyful chorus
Praise you for your gift of love
All your works declare your glory
All creation joins to sing
Praise resounds as earth rejoices
In the birth of Christ the King
Shepherds kneel before the infant
Trumpets sound and anthems raise
As with joy our hearts are lifted
Joined in wonder love and praise
Offering Prayer
Offertory:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (instrumental)
Words by John Mason Neale (1851); Music: VENI EMMANUEL
Prayer of Illumination
Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, and the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word during these days of Advent, and walk with us until the day of your coming. Amen.
Sermon
The Lord’s Supper
[instrumental music played or congregational singing]
The Mystery of the Faith
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!
Joy to the World
Words by Isaac Watts (1719); Music by Lowell Mason
Joy to the world! The Lord is come:
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav'n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns:
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness
And wonders of his love,
And wonders of his love,
And wonders, wonders of his love.
ADVENT 4 – LOVE
(Advent candles #1, 2 & 3 are lit before the service)
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. The birth of Christ as a baby in Bethlehem is near. We can sense it in the air. Something, or in this case, someone is coming. There’s excitement all around and within us. We prepare for his arrival. We ready our hearts to worship the King. We don’t want to miss him. We want to be like the shepherds who ran to find Jesus, not like the innkeeper who had no room for him. We don’t want to pass up the opportunity to be in the presence of Almighty God. And so, we ready ourselves…and worship the newborn King…born in a manger…born in our hearts.
Angels From the Realms of Glory
Words by James Montgomery (1816); Music by Henry T. Smart
Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth:
Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn king.
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light: [Refrain]
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen his natal star: [Refrain]
Today we light the candle of LOVE. In 1 John 4:7 we read,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Prayer
Dear God, we love you because we know that you loved us first. As we light this candle, help us love to each other and tell others about the love of Jesus. Amen.
Light Advent Candle #4
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Piotrowi Skardze; Paraphraser: Edith M. G. Reed (1921); Traditional Polish carol
Infant holy, infant lowly,
For his bed a cattle stall;
Oxen lowing, little knowing
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Swift are winging angels singing,
Noels ringing, tidings bringing:
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Christ the babe is Lord of all.
Flocks were sleeping, shepherds keeping
Vigil ’til the morning new
Saw the glory, heard the story,
Tidings of a gospel true.
Thus rejoicing, free from sorrow,
Praises voicing, greet the morrow:
Christ the babe was born for you.
Christ the babe was born for you.
Testimony
Ask a member of the congregation to talk about a time of experiencing the love of God through the ministry of other people.
Kristen is a young single adult who recently moved from her home to a new city where she took up a position as a high school teacher. After attending a church for a few weeks, a young family asked her to sit with them for worship, and then asked her to come to their house for dinner. This happened every week. This simple act of ministry made a real difference in Kristen’s life. She knew she would not have to sit in church alone and she knew that she had a place in the church’s fellowship. She felt Christ’s love through the faith community.
Prayer – for love to abound
Sing We the Song of Emmanuel
Words and Music by Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Stuart Townend, and Keith Getty
© 2015 Getty Music Hymns and Songs, Getty Music Publishing, Love Your Enemies Publishing, Messenger Hymns, Townend Songs
Sing we the song of Emmanuel
This the Christ who was long foretold
Lo in the shadows of Bethlehem
Promise of dawn now our eyes behold
God Most High in a manger laid
Lift your voices and now proclaim
Great and glorious, Love has come to us
Join now with the hosts of heaven
Come we to welcome Emmanuel
King who came with no crown or throne
Helpless He lay, the Invincible
Maker of Mary, now Mary’s son
O what wisdom to save us
Shepherds, sages, before him fall
Come on bended knee, adore Him
Go spread the news of Emmanuel
Joy and peace for the weary heart
Lift up your heads, for your King has come
Sing for the Light overwhelms the dark
Glory shining for all to see
Hope alive, let the gospel ring
God has made a way, he will have the praise
Tell the world his name is Jesus
Gloria! Gloria!
Gloria! Gloria!
Offering Prayer
Offertory:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (instrumental)
Words by John Mason Neale (1851); Music: VENI EMMANUEL
Prayer of Illumination
Speak to us, Lord. Speak to us in the waiting, the hoping, the longing, the sorrow, and the rejoicing. Speak to us by your Word during these days of Advent, and walk with us until the day of your coming. Amen.
Sermon
The Lord’s Supper
[instrumental music played or congregational singing]
The Mystery of the Faith
And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again!
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Words by Charles Wesley (1739); Music by Felix Mendelssohn
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King:
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic hosts proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King"
Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th’incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that we no more may die,
Born to raise us from the earth,
Born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King”