Series: Who Am I Becoming?
Central texts: Psalm 1
Greeting/Call to Worship
May the light of God’s love push back the darkness.
We come to the light in unity with disciples from every nation,
from the north, from the south,
from the east, and from the west.
But we are all one in Jesus Christ.
We come from many nations and many cultures.
But we are all one in Jesus Christ.
We come seeking the light that guides us to life.
But we are all one in Jesus Christ.
Let us lift up our many voices and praise the God of all people.
[ALL CREATURES]
[Verse 1]
All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Oh Praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
O, praise Him! O, praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
[Verse 2]
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
Oh praise Him! Oh praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
[Verse 3]
Let all things their Creator bless
And worship Him in humbleness
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
Oh praise Him! Oh praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Confession
[Amen! We have heard that good news, that Jesus was born and also that he died and rose again. The good news of Jesus is that, in him, we have all we need to be friends with God and to be healed of the wounds of sin. We have heard the good news, and still we look into our hearts and we see doubt and fear and we know that too often we want the benefits of God more than the presence of God. Let’s be inspired and encouraged by the story of men who traveled far just to see Jesus and give him gifts. Pray with me.]
God of the Bethlehem star,
everyone is searching for light
But so many are looking for it in the wrong places.
Show us your light shining in the face of Christ.
The Magi sought Christ simply to worship him.
But Herod sought him to appease his jealous anger.
We confess that our motives in seeking Jesus are not always pure.
We do not come simply to worship.
We come to Christ, asking his benefits of success, health, prosperity;
But the Magi sought the boy king simply to worship.
Help us, God, to follow their example and
worship Christ in love, content to be in his presence,
Then may we journey along life’s way, trusting that your goodness and light
will accompany us all the days of our life. Amen.
—based on Matthew 2:1-16; 6:33
Assurance of Pardon
[The good news is that light has come. The light of Christ has overcome the darkness in our hearts and in our lives. Paul tells us that “he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” It’s his work in us and we can trust it; we can rest in it. Celebrate this good news with me.]
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you,
that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him
while we are walking in darkness,
we lie and do not do what is true;
but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
—1 John 1:5-7
Hallelujah! Thanks be to God.
[Silence]
[GOD WITH US]
You've come
To bring peace
To be love
To be nearer to us
You've come
To bring life
To be light
To shine brighter in us
Oh Emmanuel
God with us
Our Deliverer
You are Savior
In Your presence we find our strength
Over everything
Our redemption
God with us
You are God with us
You've come
To be hope
To this world
For Your honor and name
[GIVE REVIVING]
Father for Thy, promised blessing,
Still we plead before Thy throne
For the times of, sweet refreshing,
Which can come from Thee alone
Blessed earnests, Thou hast given,
But in these we would not rest
Blessings still with, Thee are hidden,
Pour them forth and make us blest!
Prayer ascendeth to Thee ever,
Answer! Father, answer prayer
Bless oh bless each, weak endeavor,
Blood-bought pardon to declare
Wake Thy slumbering, children wake them,
Bid them to Thy harvest go
Blessings O our, Father make,
Round their steps let blessings flow
Let no people be forgotten,
Let Thy showers on all descend
That in one loud blessed anthem,
Millions may in triumph blend
Give reviving, give refreshing,
Give the looked-for Jubilee
To Thyself may, crowds be pressing,
Bringing glory unto Thee
Give reviving, give refreshing,
Give the looked-for Jubilee
To Thyself may, crowds be pressing,
Bringing glory unto Thee
[COME BEHOLD THE WONDEROUS MYSTERY]
Come, behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the king
He the theme of Heaven's praises
Robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness
Now, the light of life has come
Look to Christ who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us
Come, behold the wondrous mystery
He is the perfect son of man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ, the great and sure fulfilment
Of the law in Him, we stand
Come, behold the wondrous mystery
Christ, the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption
See the Father's plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold
Come, behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death, the God of life
But no grave could ever restrain Him
Praise the Lord, He is alive
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes
Pastoral Prayer
Scripture Reading
Teaching
[ALL GLORY BE TO CHRIST]
Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow's gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ
All glory be to Christ our King
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ
His will be done
His kingdom come
On earth as is above
Who is Himself our daily bread
Praise Him the Lord of love
Let living water satisfy
The thirsty without price
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
All glory be to Christ
All glory be to Christ our King
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ
When on the day the great I Am
The faithful and the true
The Lamb who was for sinners slain
Is making all things new
Behold our God shall live with us
And be our steadfast light
And we shall ere his people be
All glory be to Christ
All glory be to Christ our King
All glory be to Christ
His rule and reign will ever sing
All glory be to Christ
Announcements/Benediction
May Christ, the Son of God,
be manifest in you,
that your lives may be a light to the world;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.