Digital Liturgy 1/3/21
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
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Songs
A Prayer for the New Year
You can pray this prayer or use it as a starting point for your own time of prayer.
“He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18
Lord Jesus, there’s no better image with which to begin 2021 than the one captured in this passage. Like the Apostle John, we live in fear-fueling, faith-stretching days. Like John, what we need more than anything is your hand and your words.
The right hand that created the cosmos and sustains every atom, opened blind eyes and expelled evil spirits, was nailed to the cross and rolled back a huge stone—that hand is your hand, Lord Jesus. No hand is filled with more mercy and might.
Just as surely as you placed your hand on John, you now hold us with the same hand. As you have promised, nothing and no one can snatch us away (John 10:28). We don’t know what 2021 will hold, but we do know who holds us; and you will “hold us fast.” Hallelujah.
There’s gloriously more. “The keys of death and Hades” are also in your hand. Only you are sovereign, Lord Jesus. You are alive, and death is doomed. You are alive, and demons tremble. You are alive, and that’s the biggest reason we can “Fear not.”
Secure in your hand, we lift ours in praise. Hidden in your heart, we will seek to live and love 2021 to your glory. We pray these things in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name. Amen.
Sermon “We Three Kings”
A sermon preached by Pastor Nate Downey. The sermon will premiere at 10:30 AM on January 3 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.
Sing
Benediction
Say this together:
As we leave this service of worship,
let us go as the Magi left the infant Jesus,
rejoicing on our way that we have seen the living Lord,
ready to return to our daily life and work,
spreading the good news of Jesus the Christ.
Receive now these words of promise and blessing
from our Lord Jesus Christ:
Remember, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Do not be afraid.
I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness
but will have the light of life.
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.
Abide in my love.”
Thanks be to God.
And let all God’s people say:
Amen