Advent not only begins in the dark, but reveals God is coming in surprising and powerful ways to meet us in our darkness, confront evil, and reveal Jesus as our Prince of Peace, the Messiah and everlasting Light who has come. And the darkness or coronavirus disease or disruption of a disputed election cannot overcome His plan to bring us His whole-making peace.
1st Advent Homily Video | Jesus Comes to Astonish Us & Bring Light to Our Darkened & Narrowed Sensibilities
Homily Scriptures | Matthew 13:54-58
Homily Intro | Meditation on Christ the King (5+ minutes)
Prayer of Confession & Assurance |
One: Loving and faithful God, You save and sustain us.
All: What marvelous Good News You give us through Jesus!
One: Yet we narrow our view of You and try to limit what You can do.
All: We fail to see, Lord. Son of David, have mercy on us this Advent.
One: Forgive us for our stubborn clinging to lesser hopes and saviors.
All: Open our eyes to Your reality: That You are the Light the darkness cannot and will not overcome. Come, Lord Jesus!
One: Give us the courage to increase our faith during this close to 2020.
All: And may You shine through us to others so that many more may see and believe that You are the Lord who was and is and is to come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Call to Worship | Psalm 139:11-12
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night”—even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You.
His Kingdom Now Is Come (Behold! Behold!)
The Porter’s Gate w/ Urban Doxology, 2020 A.D.
The Light shines (the Light shines)
In the darkness (in the darkness),
And the darkness cannot overcome. (repeat line + verse)
Behold! Behold! His Kingdom now is come!
The valleys (the valleys)
Behold! Behold! His Kingdom now is come!
The valleys (the valleys)
Will be lifted (will be lifted)
And the mountains will be brought down! (repeat line + verse) (Chorus)
Hear the voice cry (hear the voice cry)
From the highways (from the highways)
Make way for the Prince of Peace. (repeat line + verse) (Chorus)
God of justice (God of justice),
And the mountains will be brought down! (repeat line + verse) (Chorus)
Hear the voice cry (hear the voice cry)
From the highways (from the highways)
Make way for the Prince of Peace. (repeat line + verse) (Chorus)
God of justice (God of justice),
Righteous Judge (Righteous Judge),
Behold! Behold! Behold!
Our Defender (our Defender),
Our Defender (our Defender),
Prince of Peace (Prince of Peace),
Behold! Behold! Behold!
Father to the fatherless (Father to the fatherless),
Our strong Deliverer (our strong Deliverer),
Behold! Behold! Behold!
He’s troubling the waters ... as we’re marching through ... (Chorus)
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley, 1744 A.D.
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.
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 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.
Father to the fatherless (Father to the fatherless),
Our strong Deliverer (our strong Deliverer),
Behold! Behold! Behold!
He’s troubling the waters ... as we’re marching through ... (Chorus)
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley, 1744 A.D.
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.
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 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.
Glory! Let There Be Peace
Matt Maher, 2016 A.D.
One star burns in the darkness,
Shines with the promise, Emmanuel.
One child born in the stillness,
Living within us, Emmanuel.
We're singing "Glory, glory,
Let there be peace, let there be peace!"
Singing "Glory, glory, let there be peace,
Let it is start in me."
One voice speaks for the voiceless,
Hope for the hopeless, Emmanuel.
One love brings us together,
Now and forever, Emmanuel. (Chorus + Bridge 2x)
Do not be afraid,
His love is strong enough to save us!
Nothing stands in the way,
His love is strong enough to lead us!
Getting Ready
Maverick City Music + Upperroom, 2020 A.D.
What an honor to be invited to the marriage of the Lamb,
Maverick City Music + Upperroom, 2020 A.D.
What an honor to be invited to the marriage of the Lamb,
To come and worship Him.
Celebration, it’s the joining of the Bride and the Son,
The two becoming one.
All the prophecies fulfilled in a moment, so we sing ...
Like the roar of many waters,
Celebration, it’s the joining of the Bride and the Son,
The two becoming one.
All the prophecies fulfilled in a moment, so we sing ...
Like the roar of many waters,
Like the sound of rolling thunder,
Hallelujah, give Him glory
For the marriage of the Lamb is coming!
We’re getting ready, we're getting ready ...
Filled with wonder, as we behold the man with fire in his eyes,
We’re getting ready, we're getting ready ...
Filled with wonder, as we behold the man with fire in his eyes,
The very Word of God.
You are worthy, every kingdom, every nation bowing down,
You are worthy, every kingdom, every nation bowing down,
We’ll crown You with many crowns.
Every creed and tribe and tongue declaring in unity ... (Chorus)
We’ll shout ‘til the whole world hears it,
We’ll sing ‘til the whole world knows,
"King Jesus, He is Faithful! He is the blessed hope!"
Every creed and tribe and tongue declaring in unity ... (Chorus)
We’ll shout ‘til the whole world hears it,
We’ll sing ‘til the whole world knows,
"King Jesus, He is Faithful! He is the blessed hope!"
Benediction based on 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
To connect with us, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com
More helpful links for Advent
+ Advent: Immanuel, God with Us, Has Always Been His Plan for Us
+ Advent 2020 Is Near & Needed | The Coming Day of the Lord Before, Now, and Again
+ The Magnificat: The Bold & Courageous First Advent Hymn
+ Advent 2020 Is Near & Needed | Sunday Compline (i.e. Bring to Completion) Services to Remember the Light in the Darkness
Christ is all,
Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan
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