Prelude
Welcome | Rev. Andrew Field, Executive Pastor
Call to Worship | Isaiah 49:13
Leader: Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains!
All: For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Song of Praise | Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
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.
Joy to those who long to see Thee,
Day-spring from on high, appear;
Come, Thou promised Rod of Jesse,
Of Thy birth we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing
News, glad tidings of a birth:
“Go to Him, your praises bringing;
Christ the Lord has come to earth.”
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end;
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.
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.
Song of Praise | The Lion and the Lamb
He’s coming on the clouds
Kings and kingdoms will bow down
And every chain will break
As broken hearts declare His praise
For who can stop the Lord Almighty?
Our God is the Lion
The Lion of Judah
He’s roaring with power
And fighting our battles
And every knee will bow before Him
Our God is the Lamb
The Lamb that was slain
For the sin of the world
His blood breaks the chains
And every knee will bow
Before the Lion and the Lamb
Every knee will bow before Him
So open up the gates
Make way before the King of Kings
The God who comes to save is here
To set the captives free
For who can stop the Lord Almighty
Who can stop the Lord Almighty
Prayer of Adoration (concluded by the Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Silent Praise and Thanksgiving
Doxology | All Ye Who Are of Tender Heart
All ye who are of tender heart
Forgiving others take your part
O praise him Alleluia
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear
Praise God and on him cast your care
O praise him, O praise him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Let all things their creator bless
And worship him with humbleness
O praise him, Alleluia
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son
And praise the Spirit, Three in One
O praise him, O praise him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
Prayer of Confession
Gracious God, What good do we have that we did not receive?
Every good and perfect gift comes from you.
And yet, still we move through life with selfishness, pride, and a sense of entitlement.
O Lord, forgive us for our ingratitude.
In Jesus, you’ve given us the greatest gift of all.
As we rest in Jesus today, transform us into a people of gratitude.
For your love that never fails, for your grace that runs deeper than our sin,
for your presence will heals our troubled hearts,
we give you our thanks and praise.
Amen.
Silent Confession
Words of Encouragement | Psalm 62:5-6
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
Song of Praise | Come Light Our Hearts
Chorus
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You
Chorus
O Lord of life, our only hope
Your radiance shines
On all who look to You in the dark
Emmanuel come, come light our hearts
O Lord of life, our only hope
Your radiance shines
On all who look to You in the dark
Emmanuel come, come light our hearts
Chorus
Oh Joy above, all other loves
In You we find, more than enough
We come as we are, O heal and restore
Come light our hearts
Oh Joy above, all other loves
In You we find, more than enough
We come as we are, O heal and restore
Come light our hearts
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You
Greetings and Announcements
Lighting of the Hope Candle
In the ancient world, people lit fires to mark the turning of the light into winter’s season and to pray for the return of the light. The church has adopted that practice in the lighting of the Advent wreath. To us, these candles are signs of the growing light of Christ who is coming again in all fullness into the darkness of our world. Until that day, we watch and wait for Christ’s coming into the darkness of our world, lighting candles of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Scripture Reading | John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Sermon | God With Us by Rev. Bijan Mirtolooi
The Apostles’ Creed
All: I believe in God the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of
God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the
living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*[meaning, the true Christian church of all times and all places]
Prayer of Approach
Words of Institution
Minister: Therefore we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Minister: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
All: Therefore let us keep the feast.
Minister: The gifts of God for the people of God.
Prayers for Those Not Taking the Lord’s Supper.
Redeemer Presbyterian Church welcomes all baptized Christians who actively trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, who are willing to forsake their sin, and who are members of congregations that proclaim the gospel to receive the Holy Communion with us. Baptized children are welcome to receive Communion when they have been confirmed in their faith. If you are not able to receive Communion, please use this time to meditate on one of the following prayers.
Prayer for Those Searching for Truth.
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. Grant that I might be undaunted by the cost of following you as I consider the reasons for doing so. If what you claim is true, please guide me, teach me, and open me to the reality of who you are. Give me an understanding of you that is coherent, convincing, and that leads to the life you promise. Amen.
Prayer of Belief.
Lord Jesus Christ, I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through you I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank you for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserved in order to offer me complete forgiveness. Knowing that you have been raised from the dead, I turn from my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Commitment.
Lord Jesus, you have called us to follow you in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship through membership in your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be one with your people, and live in the fullness of your Spirit. Amen.
[If you are saying the prayer of belief for the first time today, please share with a church officer up front, or let one of the pastors know.]
Distribution of the Bread and Wine
Prayer of Thanksgiving
All: Gracious Lord, we give you thanks for calling us out of the darkness and into your glorious light. When we remember the price you paid, the death of your only Son, we wonder and marvel at the greatness of your love. We give our lives to you Lord, and pray that through your Spirit you would teach us how to live according to your will. Send us out now to love and serve you as faithful witnesses of your mercy. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection Song | Come Thou Long Expected Jesus (Verse Three)
Come to earth to taste our sadness,
He whose glories knew no end;
By His life He brings us gladness,
Our Redeemer, Shepherd, Friend.
Leaving riches without number,
Born within a cattle stall;
This the everlasting wonder,
Christ was born the Lord of all.
Closing Song | In the Beginning
In the beginning was the Word
And the Word was with God
And the Word was God
He was with God
In the beginning
All things were made through Him
Without Him nothing
Was made that has been made
All things were made through Him
In Him was life
And the life was the light of men
The light shines in the darkness
And the darkness has not overcome it
Benediction and Dismissal
Minister: Let us go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All: Thanks be to God!
Worship Musicians
Lou Garrett | Acoustic Guitar
Leo Traversa | Bass
Damon DueWhite | Drums
Chris Weldon | Piano/Vocal
Victor Lin | Violin
Carmen Cancél | Vocals
Mark Epperson | Vocals
Song Credits
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus | Charles Wesley, Mark Hunt, and Rowland Pritchard
The Lion and the Lamb | Brenton Brown, Brian Johnson, and Leeland Mooring; CCLI #7038281
All Ye Who Are of Tender Heart | St. Francis of Assisi and Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Come Light Our Hearts | Sandra McCracken; CCLI #7054135
In the Beginning | Chris Weldon and Alex Fleeman
