CALL TO WORSHIP
Let us praise our Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
At Christmas Jesus came as a baby. Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
He came to be like us because he loves us. Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
He came to save us from our sin. Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
He died, rose from the dead, and lives in heaven.
He will come again because he loves us. Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
We praise Jesus, who came as a baby and will come again at the end of time. Alleluia! Jesus is coming!
Invocation: King of Glory, you are the eternal Triune God. You are powerful. You rule the entire world. We praise you this morning because you are so great. But you became a baby. You were willing to become tiny and weak just like us. We praise you because you came, and we look forward to when you will come again. In your name we pray. Amen.
CONFESSION OF SIN
Prepare the way of the Lord! Let us make our confession to God. O promised Christ: We are a world at war. Our peace depends on your coming. We are a sinful people. Our pardon depends on your coming. We are full of good intentions but weak at keeping promises; our only hope of doing God’s will is that you should come and help us do it. Lord Christ, Word made flesh, our world waits for your peace, for your pardon, and for your grace. Even so: come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.” Jesus Christ, our Lord, whose coming we announce in this season, is our righteousness. In Christ, we are made right with God.
—based on Jeremiah 33:14-16, NRSV—
SONGS
Shout To The North
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted
Even So Come
Come As You Are