December 1, 2019
Worship
Before We Worship
This week’s Thanksgiving celebration, as well as the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Day give us opportunities to get together with our family. And it often happens that some of the same stories are repeated over and over at our family gatherings. Children may roll their eyes and protest, “This again?” But those of us who are older understand the importance of shared stories. For these shared stories, our shared experiences, have made us who we are and continue to define us.
Our celebration of Christ’s first advent is much the same. We gather as God’s family, and retell the stories that have shaped us and continue to mold us. So as we enter into the Advent season, we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In this first week of the Advent season our meditations focus on the gift of hope. The Immanuel prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 was given to a nation amidst God’s judgment. The coming of Immanuel would turn their sorrow and gloom into joy. So Israel hoped for the fulfillment of this promise.
But this promise would not be fulfilled in order to give earthly political relief to Israel. Rather, the Immanuel prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 1:18–25, with the climactic announcement that Jesus “will save his people from their sins.” Of course! Israel’s very difficult predicament in Isaiah was the result of their sin. So what good is a political relief unless the problem of sin is dealt with? Indeed, Jesus came to deal with the root problem of sin, to save his people from it.
As we remember Christ’s first Advent, we continue to hope. For we are not yet fully delivered from sin. While we are no longer condemned before God as sinners, and while sin no longer has dominion over us, we continue to struggle against sin, and we long to be freed from it. Indeed, our great hope is, as the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” eloquently expresses it: “O Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, “Even so” — it is well with my soul!”
Christ’s first Advent reminds us that we are a people of hope. Hope, for those who have hoped in God for salvation were not disappointed. Hope, for we look forward to the glory of Christ’s second Advent. Hope, because it makes us who we are.
Call to Worship
‡ Isaiah 7:14 (p. 571)
‡ Trinity Hymnal #196 “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
‡ Trinity Hymnal #731 “Doxology”
Prayer of Invocation
The Reading and Exposition of the Law
Matthew 1:18–25 (p. 807)
The Shorter Catechism Qs. 105–107
Prayer of Confession
The Proclamation of the Gospel
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
Trinity Hymnal #691 “It Is Well with My Soul”
Presentation of Gifts and Offering
Pastoral Prayer
The Proclamation of God’s Word
1 Peter 2:9–10 (p. 1014)
We Are God’s People
Rev. Ken Han
The Sacrament of The Lord’s Supper
We participate in the Lord’s Supper weekly. We welcome to the Lord’s Table all baptized believers who have sincere faith in Jesus Christ, and regularly worship in a Reformed or evangelical church.
The Lord’s Supper is a sign and a seal of the new covenant blessings. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper with faith, it strengthens our bond with our covenant Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus we participate properly when we come to our Savior with faith and repentance as we renew our resolve to forsake sin and live for his glory.
The Lord’s Supper also renews our bonds with God’s covenant community, the body of believers in the local church. As we receive the Lord’s Supper, we renew our pledge to give ourselves away in loving service.
During the distribution of the bread we will sing TH #647 “How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds” stanzas 1–3, and stanzas 4–6 during the distribution of the cup.
Trinity Hymnal #355 “We Are God’s People”
Benediction
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Growth Resources
Family Devotion for the Week
The November 24, 2019 sermon, 1 Peter 2:4–8. "God's Building Project" is available on our church website. You can also catch up on older sermons from our Sermon page and subscribe to sermon podcast here.
Upcoming Events and Notices
Join us for “12 for 19” as we read 12 great books in the year 2019. In December we will read “Strength for the Weary” by Derek Thomas.
We are collecting new or gently used toys (infant–12 years) in partnership with Hope Clinic for Women (formerly Fallbrook Pregnancy Resource Center). Please help us support their work. You can bring toys to donate on December 1 & 8. Please direct any questions you may have to Janny Ligtenberg.
December 1 (Lord’s Day): The catechism lessons for adults (Qs. 105–107) and for children (Qs. 14–15) will meet after the worship service.
December 7 (Saturday 10:30 AM): All men are invited to men's brunch. We encourage all men to come for a time of prayer, fellowship, and food.
December 15 (Lord’s Day): Please join us as we celebrate the birth of our Lord with food, music, and fellowship. More information will be forthcoming. Please note that there will be no fellowship lunch on December 8.
Nursery Volunteers
December 1: Kelly Rogers
December 8: Michelle Kay