Welcome | Rev. Paul Yoo, Senior Director of Spiritual Formation & Mission
Call to Worship | Psalm 34:1-3
Leader: I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
All: Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
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 | I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth
I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
For the first heaven and the first earth
Had passed away, and the sea was no more
I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
For the first heaven and the first earth
Had passed away, and the sea was no more
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,
I saw it coming down out of heaven
From God, prepared as a bride adorned
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,
I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,
I saw it coming down out of heaven
From God, prepared as a bride adorned
For her husband
For her husband
I heard a loud voice from the throne
I heard a loud voice from the throne
Saying,“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.
He will dwell with them
I heard a loud voice from the throne
I heard a loud voice from the throne
Saying,“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.
He will dwell with them
And they will be his people,
His people
And they will be his people
His people
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
Wipe away every tear from their eyes,
Wipe away every tear from their eyes,
And death shall be no more
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
Wipe away every tear from their eyes,
Wipe away every tear from their eyes,
And death shall be no more
No mourning, nor crying
Nor pain anymore
The former things have passed away
No mourning, nor crying
Nor pain anymore
The former things have passed away
I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
For the first heaven and the first earth
Had passed away, and the sea was no more
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.
Doxology | Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo
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 that will heal our troubled hearts,
we give you our thanks and praise.
Amen.
Silent Confession
Words of Encouragement | Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Song of Response | 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
(Repeats once)
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
(Repeats once)
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
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
(Repeats once)
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
Offering
Lighting of the Peace Candle
Greetings and Announcements
Scripture Reading | Psalm 13
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me. (NIV)
Sermon | Waiting Honestly by Rev. Bijan Mirtolooi
Apostle’s 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.
Invitation: We welcome all baptized Christians who actively trust in Jesus for salvation, forsake their sin, and are members of gospel churches to receive Communion. Baptized children may receive Communion when they are confirmed in their faith. If you are not ready to receive Communion, please use this time to meditate on one of these prayers.
Prayer for those searching for truth:
Lord Jesus, you claim to be the way, the truth, and the life. 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 free, beautiful, and good 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.
[If you are praying in belief for the first time today, please share with a church leader or one of the pastors so we can help you.]
Distribution of the Bread and Wine
Song of Response | O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
(Chorus)
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
And drive away the shades of night,
And pierce the clouds and bring us light.
(Chorus)
O come, desire of nations, bind
All people in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease;
Fill all the world with heaven’s peace.
(Chorus)
Partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ
Song of Praise | I Waited Patiently
I waited patiently
I waited patiently
I waited patiently for you Lord
And you turned to me
Set my spirit free
I waited patiently
For you Lord
Lord I remember when
You helped me stand again
You gave me strength and then
Opened my ears
And I heard your voice
Cutting through the noise
A blessed rush of joy
Eclipsed my fears
(Chorus)
You’ve given my heart a song to sing
My feet a place to stand
My eyes now recognize
My life is surely in your hands
And even when pain comes to stay
My God, you don’t delay
You’re pleased to rescue me
From sinking sand
May all who seek your face
Who long for your embrace
And need your saving grace
Rejoice and sing
Oh but as for me
I have such great need
Come deliver me
Mighty king
(Chorus)
You suffered patiently
You hung upon the tree
You bore my penalty
Conquered the grave
You are lifted high
And with you so am I
So for eternal life
I’ll sing your praise
(Chorus x 2)
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.
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!
Musicians
Lou Garrett | Acoustic Guitar
Leo Traversa | Bass
Damon DueWhite | Drums
Patricia Davis | Violin
Chris Weldon | Piano & Vocals
Jennifer Lin | Vocals
Julia Messenger | Vocals
Song Credits
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus | Words: Charles Wesley (vv. 1, 4) and Mark Hunt (vv. 2, 3); Music: Rowland Pritchard
I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth | Chris Weldon
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow | Thomas Ken; CCLI#1046749
Come Light Our Hearts | Sandra McCracken; CCLI#7054135
O Come, O Come Emmanuel | Words: Latin, 19th century; Music: Thomas Helmore
I Waited Patiently | Chris Weldon, Alex Fleeman, Corey Fleeman