Description
Luke 19:28-40
Each Advent, we gather around the wreath and remember that God came to us as a child. This first week we light the candle of Hope as we reflect on Christ as the only hope for our world. Just as Jerusalem had lost sight of their hope in the business of day-to-day life, we too can lose our expectant hope that God is up to something even in the darkest times of our life. Just as one small candle begins our journey of Advent, a small flicker of hope can change the world around us. Jesus is our hope and we are his candles in this world.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Call to Worship: Jeremiah 33:14-16 (first Reading)
14 ’The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 “In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior.”
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor In the name of God our Father, who is ever faithful to His good promises
ALL In the name of God the Son, who is our Righteous Savior
Pastor In the name of God the Holy Spirit, who is guide and renews our hope
ALL We place our hope in you alone
Opening Prayer
Pastor Faithful God, you always keep your promises and you said that You would never leave us or forsake us. As we enter this Advent journey prepare our hearts to be carriers of Your hope. We have gathered here as Your Church to worship You and hear from Your Word. We place our hopes in You and joyfully give you praise. In Jesus’ Name
ALL Amen!
Time of Praise and Worship
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley, John Wasson, & Rowland Hugh Prichard, ©2005 praisecharts.com
Available on www.PraiseCharts.com, www.LifewayWorship.com, www.MusicNotes.com
Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)
Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown, ©2005 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
God of This City
Aaron Boyd, Andrew McCann, Ian Jordan, Peter Comfort, Peter Kernaghan, Richard Bleakley, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
BH 75 79; BH 91 77; CH 244; CHH 125; EH 66; ELW 254; HWC 124; HFG 168; HLC 102; LBW 30; LSB 338; LW 22; NCH 122; PH 1,2; RH 115; RS 496; STTL 157; WC 135; UMH 196; WAR 153; WHM 121; WIS 181
Savior Of The Nations Come
EH 54; ELW 263; LBW 28; LSB 332; LW 13; PH 14; RS 480; WC 138; UMH 214; WAR 168
Time of Greeting
Lighting of the Advent Candle
[Optional: Children’s Message and/or Dismissal to Children’s Church]
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
This is a prayer for our love to increase and overflow onto others.
9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
