Final Advent Mass @ Home | Matthew 14:22-33: Jesus Comes to Bring Wild Courage + Sharp Clarity to Our Confusion

 

Had too much deja vu in 2020? … “I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play" There may be a lot of confusion and chaos that seems old and familiar this year. And yet, Christmas invites us to remember again that "wild and sweet" we need their (Christmas hymns and songs) words to repeat that "peace on earth, goodwill to men" continues to come.

Final Advent Homily Video | Jesus Comes to Bring Wild Courage + Sharp Clarity to Our Confusion

Homily Scriptures | Matthew 14:22-33

Homily Quote |

I never gave thought to whether these Christmas carols were about something that really happened. It wasn't that I believed they were false; the question never occurred to me one way or the other. I knew nothing about Jesus, and didn't go to church. I had neither the content of faith nor the practice of it, but the music formed a little space in my soul, like a cup waiting to be filled, that by its very shape suggested something was meant to go there.

+ Holly Ordway, Not God's Type

 

"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," 1863 A.D. | Story + Song Video

Eucharist | The Beauty and Power of Communion for All Who Come Hungry and Thirsty to Jesus

Call to Worship | Isaiah 42:1-2, 5

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you. ... Do not fear, for I am with you."

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, 1863 A.D.
New Melody by Audrey Assad, 2019 A.D.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!

I thought how as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said.
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep!
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, peace on earth, goodwill to men!

Cantique de Noël (Song of Assurance)
Placide Cappeau, 1847 A.D.
Revised paraphrase by James Brumm, 1994 A.D.

O holy night! the Christian’s solemn hour
when God, incarnate, came down from above
to cleanse our sin, for only Christ had power
to rescue us from justice through His love.
The whole world trembles with hope of countless ages;
On this great night a Savior comes to us.
Kneel down in prayer! Await your liberation!
Noel! Noel! Your Redeemer is here! 

Noel! Noel! Your Redeemer is here! 

It is by faith our Creator's Light guides us
To the crib where the infant-God lay,
Just as a star led Eastern mystics riding
In ancient days, out of lands far away.
The King of kings was born among the cattle.
O earthly leaders, filled with your own deeds,
God calls to us, confronts our self-importance,
Bow down your heads before our Savior true. 

Bow down your heads before our Savior true. 

See the Messiah who has opened our prisons;
In earth and heaven alike freedom reigns.
He has declared the slave a whole person
And love unites us who were in chains!
How can we thank Him who gives a gift so glorious
(His life and suffering death all for our sakes)?
Stand up in praise! Rejoice in your deliverance!
Noel! Noel! Sing of God Immanuel!
Noel! Noel! Sing of God Immanuel!

Tremble
Mosaic MSC, 2017 A.D.

Peace, bring it all to peace,
The storm surrounding me,
Let it break at Your name.
Still, call the sea to still,
The rage in me to still,
Every wave at Your name.

Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble.
Jesus, Jesus, You silence fear.
Jesus, Jesus, You make the darkness tremble. Jesus, Jesus.

Breathe, call these bones to live,
Call these lungs to sing
Once again, I will praise ... (Chorus 2x)

Your name is a light that the shadows can't deny!
Your name cannot be overcome!
Your name is alive forever lifted high!
Your name cannot be overcome! (Chorus)

Your Peace Will Make Us One
Audrey Assad & Urban Doxology, 2019 A.D.
Based on “My Eyes Have Seen the Glory” by Lee Greenwood, 1862 A.D.

Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord.
You are speaking Truth to power,
You are laying down our swords,
Replanting every vineyard
'Til a brand new wine is poured.
Your peace will make us one.

I've seen You in our home fires
Burning with a quiet light.
You are mothering and feeding
In the wee hours of the night.
Your gentle love is patient,
You will never fade or tire.
Your peace will make us one.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! 

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! 

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Your peace will make us one!

In the beauty of the lilies,
You were born across the sea
With a glory in Your bosom
That is still transfiguring,
Dismantling our empires
'Til each one of us is free.
Your peace will make us one!
(Chorus)

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.

Next post: First New Year Mass @ Home | Matthew 14:34-15:9: Jesus' No Cancel Culture in 2021

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

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

3rd Advent Mass @ Home | Matthew 14:14-21: Jesus Comes w/ More Compassion & an Overflow of Bread for the Resistance

 

Take, bless, break, give ... "The most reassuring message of Advent is existence of hope does not depend on us. It is a delivery … like the sun rising in defiance of the night" … (like a feast served in the desert) … Will we receive what Jesus gives? + Michael Gerson, Washington Post

3rd Advent Homily Video | Jesus Comes w/ More Compassion & an Overflow of Bread for the Resistance

Homily Scriptures | Matthew 14:14-21

Homily Quote |

Most of us are a jumble of resentments and fears. Most of us can be proud, cruel, foolish and self-deluding. The best response is found in Advent. The most reassuring message of the season is that the existence of hope does not depend on us. It does not rely on our virtue or wisdom. It is a delivery from elsewhere. The German Lutheran theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer — who knew something of the subject — compared Advent to a prison cell “in which one waits and hopes and does various unessential things ... but is completely dependent on the fact that the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside.” The Advent narratives are filled with waiting people: Mary, Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna. They lived in patient expectation and were receptive to the Good News when it arrived. Their hope did not come as the result of a battle. It came like a seed planted in the ground. Like the sun rising in defiance of night. Like a child growing within his mother. We are not the heroes of the story. Our contribution is to be watchful and open. But hope arrives in awesome humility. God is with us. Jesus is with us. This is everything. 

+ Michael Gerson

 

Homily Advent Film Series Reflection | "Joyeux Noel"

Eucharist | The Beauty and Power of Communion for All Who Come Hungry and Thirsty to Jesus

Call to Worship | Jeremiah 14:19

You, O Lord, are in the midst of us and we are called by Your name; leave us not, O Lord our God.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Song of Confession)
By anonymous monks, 800s
Translated by John Mason Neale, 1800s

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
(Chorus)

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
(Chorus)

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In One the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
(Chorus)

The Cradle and the Cross (Song of Assurance)
Austin Stone Worship, 2013 A.D.

Oh the beauty and the loss of the cradle and the cross,
The Son of God so humbly sent for us.
Into darkness came the light, faith of fathers became sight
When the Christ arrived to save the fold of God.

Humanity embraced, He left a perfect place,
The prize of God in lowly manger lay.
Angels shout with joyous song, saints and sinners sing along
In the highest place, "Glory, Gloria!"

Immanuel, God with us! 

The Lamb of God slain for us!
Finally, our hope’s secured by 

The beauty of the cradle and the cross.

The Creator of the stars, then in flesh received the scars 

On the cross He paid the debt of sinners earned.
And even death could not Him hold,
Peace on earth we see unfold
As the risen Christ ascends in victory! (Chorus)

Stars and angels sing around You, "Gloria!"
Hearts unfold like flowers before You, "Gloria!"
Joyful, joyful, we adore You, "Gloria!" (Chorus)

Offering

Ike Ndolo, 2013 A.D.

My hands shake with guilt and shame, still You love me, love me.
Your eyes are bright and shine so full of mercy, mercy.

Jesus, Bread of Life, Bread for all.
This is my offering, this my everything,
The Son of God who bled and died and rose again for me.

Your flesh You gave for all so we could see You, see You.
Your blood poured for all so we could know You, know You. (Chorus)

Joy to the World
Isaac Watts, 1719 A.D.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! 

Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, 

And heaven and nature sing ... (x2)
And heaven and heaven and nature sing!

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! 

Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy ... (x2)
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy!

No more let sins and sorrows grow, 

Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow 

Far as the curse is found ... (x2)
Far as, far as the curse is found!

He rules the world with truth and grace, 

And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness, 

And wonders of His love ... (x2)
And wonders, wonders of His love!

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.

Next post: Final Advent Mass @ Home | Matthew 14:22-33: Jesus Comes to Bring Wild Courage + Sharp Clarity to Our Confusion

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

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

2nd Advent Mass @ Home | Matthew 14:1-13: Jesus Comes in the (Painful) Waiting w/ a Worthy Cost

 

“ .... I have never seen a picture of John the Baptist on any Advent calendar, yet he is the foremost image of Advent. ... " (Fleming Rutledge, Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ). John the Baptizer embodies our location in 2020. In the wilderness of a rising pandemic and at the margins of a politically divided empire, pointing us once again to our true rest and home in Jesus our Emmanuel, God with us, who is the only One who can make death's dark shadows put to flight.

2nd Advent Homily Video | Jesus Comes in the (Painful) Waiting w/ a Worthy Cost

Homily Scriptures | Matthew 14:1-13

Homily Story About Dmitri | The Insanity of God: Praising & Clinging to Christ in the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Eucharist | The Beauty and Power of Communion for All Who Come Hungry and Thirsty to Jesus

Call to Worship | Isaiah 42:16

I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not abandon them.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel
By anonymous monks, 800s
Translated by John Mason Neale, 1800s

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here.
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
(Chorus)

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
(Chorus)

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In One the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
(Chorus)

Light Has Come

Future of Forestry, 2019 A.D.

I heard a voice cry out, the voice came from the desert,
"Prepare a way for Him, prepare a way."
I heard a voice cry out, saying "Comfort all My people.
Tell them that their sins are washed away”

Light has come, light has come,
Awake my heart, light has come.

I heard the holy sound, the voices of the angels,
The glory of the Lord was all around.
I heard the angels sing the highest praise in heaven
“Glory be to God and peace on earth.” (Chorus)

Let the whole world see You,
Let the whole world know You,
Let the whole world rejoice
For in this Child the Light has come. (Chorus)

I hear the tender sound, an infant and His mother
Underneath the stars that shine above
I hear the tender voice
Come from our Heavenly Father
“My Word has become flesh through My own Son.” (Chorus)

"Away from the Manger: The Refugee King" Reprise
Liz Vice, Wen Reagan, Bruce Benedict, Greg Scheer, Lester Ruth

2018 A.D.

Away from the manger, they ran for their lives;
The crying boy Jesus, a son they must hide.
A dream came to Joseph, they fled in the night
And they ran and they ran and they ran. (Ooh x 2)

No stars in the sky but the Spirit of God
Led down into Egypt from Herod to hide.
No place for His parents, no country or tribe,
And they ran and they ran and they ran. (Ooh x 2)

Stay near me Lord Jesus when danger is nigh
And keep us from Herods and all of their lies.
I love Thee, Lord Jesus, the Refugee King,
And we sing and we sing and we sing ... (x2)

Alleluja! x 5

The Kingdom Is Yours
Common Hymnal, 2017 A.D.

Blessed are the ones who do not bury
All the broken pieces of their heart.
Blessed are the tears of all the weary
Pouring like a sky of falling stars.

Blessed are the wounded ones in mourning,
Brave enough to show the Lord their scars.
Blessed are the hurts that are not hidden,
Open to the healing touch of God.

The Kingdom is yours, the Kingdom is yours,
Hold on a little more, this is not the end.
Hope is in the Lord, keep your eyes on Him.

Blessed are the ones who walk in kindness
Even in the face of great abuse.
Blessed are the deeds that go unnoticed,
Serving with unguarded gratitude.

Blessed are the ones who fight for justice,
Longing for the coming day of peace.
Blessed is the soul that thirsts for righteousness,
Welcoming the last, the lost, the least. (Chorus)

Blessed are the ones who suffer violence
And still have strength to love their enemies.
Blessed is the faith of those who persevere.
Though they fall, they'll never know defeat.

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.

Next post: 3rd Advent Mass @ Home | Matthew 14:14-21: Jesus Comes w/ More Compassion & an Overflow of Bread for the Resistance

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

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

1st Advent Mass @ Home | Matthew 13:54-58: Jesus Comes to Astonish Us & Bring Light to Our Darkened Sensibilities

 

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)

Homily Film Reference | Advent Film Reflection | "Arrival" 

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.

Eucharist | The Beauty and Power of Communion for All Who Come Hungry and Thirsty to Jesus

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) 

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), 

Righteous Judge (Righteous Judge), 

Behold! Behold! Behold!
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.

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, 

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, 

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, 

The very Word of God.
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!"

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.

Next post: 2nd Advent Mass @ Home | Matthew 14:1-13: Jesus Comes in the (Painful) Waiting w/ a Worthy Cost

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

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us