Digital Liturgy 12/20/20
Invitation to Worship
To all who are weary and need rest
To all who mourn and long for comfort
To all those who wander and are looking for a story
To all who feel isolated and miss community
To all who are broken and want healing
To all who feel worthless and wonder if God cares
To all who are oppressed and yearn for justice
To all who fail and desire strength
To all who sin and need a Savior
To all who hunger and thirst for righteousness
And to whomever will come–
This church opens wide her arms and offers welcome
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Scripture Reading
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated by the Spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.
Songs
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today we continue to remember the season of Advent as a church. As we've seen, “Advent” means coming. Advent helps us prepare our hearts during this season by reflecting on the two comings of Jesus: first, through his incarnation as a human baby & second, his future coming in glory to judge the living & the dead & to set all things right.
As a church, we celebrate Advent with a wreath and candles. Each Sunday during the four weeks of Advent, one candle—each representing a different theme—is lit.
On the first week of Advent, we lit the Prophecy Candle, which represents the promises that were kept in Jesus' First Coming and the hope and expectation of his Second Coming. On the second week we lit the Bethlehem Candle, which represents the humility of Jesus' birth and the meekness that is to mark his people as we follow Jesus in the world and await his return.On the third week of Advent, we lit the Shepherd’s Candle, which represents the joy, joy like the shepherds experienced when the angel told them that Christ was to be born.
This morning we will light the Angel's Candle. The Angel's Candle represents the peace that Christ’s birth brings to earth, the peace which the angels proclaimed: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” All four of the candles around the Advent Wreath are now burning, each at a different height.
Read the following:
As we come to light the fourth candle of Advent, let us listen to the prophecy of Micah:
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace.
(Micah 5:4-5 ESV)
As you light the Prophecy Candle, say:
We light the first candle of Advent to remind us to look up with hope and center our hearts and minds upon a loving God who sent us his Son, who is coming again.
As you light the Bethlehem Candle, say:
We light the second candle of Advent to remind us of the humility of Jesus, who took on the form of a servant, and to remember that God's great gift came to us in Bethlehem and to look forward to his coming again.
As You Light the Shepherd’s Candle, say:
We light the third candle of Advent to remind us to rejoice because God has come to save us and to be with us, and to rejoice because he will come again to set all things right.
As you light the Angel’s Candle, say:
We light the fourth candle of Advent to remind us that Jesus has made a way for peace between God and man. Let us open our hearts to Christ and give him glory, honor, and sincere devotion until his great return.
Pray aloud:
Show us your unfailing love, O God, our Savior, and grant us your salvation. You promise peace to your people. You will hear us, save us, and stay with us forever. We trust that you will indeed give what is good. Righteousness goes before you and prepares the way for your steps. Make your holy face to shine upon us in this time of Advent worship. May we see your face and so know peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sermon “The Advent of Peace”
A guest sermon preached by Dr. Ray Ortlund. The sermon will premiere at 10:30 AM on December 20 and will be available to stream anytime after that.
Response
In response to God’s goodness and faithfulness, let’s respond through giving and singing.
Give
If you are part of the Town Church family, you can give online or text any dollar amount to 84321 to give. You can designate a gift specifically to support the Silamo family who are planting a church among the Rendille people in Kenya or to help support families in Eureka and Humboldt County by selecting “Betty Chinn Christmas” on our giving page.
Sing
Benediction
Say this together:
May the Lord make you increase and abound in love
for one another and for all.
And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness
that you may be blameless before our God and Father
at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Amen