Call to Worship: From Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.
Prayer of Adoration:
Song: The Son of God Came Down – CCLI# 4866259
The Son of God came down and laid aside His crown
Born without great renown, this Sovereign One
All holiness and might, all glory shining bright
Have come to earth this night in Mary’s son
O come, let us adore
CHORUS: O Christ the Lord, our hope and Savior
Son of God yet made like us, O Christ the Lord, our King adored
Born a child, our Lord, Jesus
Messiah born so small, asleep in cattle stall
Come to redeem our fall, nailed to a tree
This tiny, helpless child through death would reconcile
The holy God and vile, His grace so free
O come, let us adore
The Old Testament Lesson: From Isaiah 61
Pastor: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
People: I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Silent Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon: Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.
The New Testament Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Song: Who Would Have Dreamed – CCLI#7031876
On a starlit hillside, shepherds watched their sheep
Slowly, David’s city drifted off to sleep
But to this little town of no great renown
The Lord had a promise to keep
Prophets had foretold it, a mighty King would come
Long awaited Ruler, God’s Anointed One
But the Sovereign of all looked helpless and small
As God gave the world His own Son
CHORUS: And who would have dreamed or ever foreseen
That we could hold God in our hands?
The Giver of Life is born in the night
Revealing God’s glorious plan, To save the world
Wondrous gift of heaven: the Father sends the Son
Planned from time eternal, moved by holy love
He will carry our curse and death He’ll reverse
So we can be daughters and sons
Prayer for the Church: Crawford Dillon, Ruling Elder.
The Sermon: “The Servant Songs of Isaiah: A Servant for the Weary.” Isaiah 50:4-11. Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder.
Confession of Faith: From The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1562
We do not adore, worship, or pray to the saints in heaven, or to other gods, and we do not acknowledge them as our intercessors or mediators before the Father in heaven. For God and Christ the Mediator are sufficient for us; neither do we give to others the honor that is due to God alone and to his Son.
*Communion:
Song: What Child Is This – Hymn 213 v.1-3
The Benediction: From Psalm 131:3
May you hope only in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! Amen!