Sunday, November 29, 2020
Worship Bulletin // See below for the text for the worship service.
ORDER of WORSHIP November 29, 2020
GOD CALLS US
Prelude
CALL TO WORSHIP: Isaiah 40:1-2 … Lighting of the Advent Wreath
Reader: Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her.
All: That her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus
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.
(Women Only)
Joy to those who long to see thee, Day-spring from on high, appear;
come, thou promised Rod of Jesse, of thy birth we long to hear!
O’er the hills the angels singing news, glad tidings of a birth:
“Go to Him, your praises bringing; Christ the Lord has come to earth.”
(Men Only)
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 the 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.
PRAYER OF PRAISE … Margaret Ferguson (Associate Pastor of Congregational Care)
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH … Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 41
Pastor: Why was our Mediator Called Jesus?
All: Our Mediator was called Jesus because he saves his people from their sins.
DOXOLOGY
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
GOD CONVICTS US
CORPORATE CONFESSION … Andy Cornett (Associate Pastor of Families)
All: Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our hearts tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become to us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more into your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
GOD REMAKES US
THE PROMISE OF THE GOSPEL: Isaiah 43:25 … Andy Cornett
I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake. I will not remember your sins.
Sing We The Song Of Emmanuel
Sing we the song of Emmanuel;
this the Christ who was long foretold.
Lo in the shadows of Bethlehem,
promise of dawn now our eyes behold.
God Most High in a manger laid;
lift your voices and now proclaim:
great and glorious, Love has come to us;
join now with the hosts of heaven.
Come we to welcome Emmanuel;
King who came with no crown or throne.
Helpless he lay, the invincible,
maker of Mary, now Mary’s son.
O what wisdom to save us all,
shepherds, sages, before him fall.
Grace and majesty, what humility;
come on bended knee, adore him.
Go spread the news of Emmanuel;
joy and peace for the weary heart.
Lift up your heads, for your King has come;
sing for the light overwhelms the dark.
Glory shining for all to see,
hope alive, let the gospel ring.
God has made a way, he will have the praise;
tell the world his name is Jesus.
Glory shining for all to see,
hope alive let the gospel ring.
God has made a way, he will have the praise;
tell the world his name is Jesus.
Gloria, gloria.
Gloria, gloria.
TITHES & OFFERINGS
You may give online here or by mail to Signal Pres, Attn: Melissa Martin, 612 James Blvd, Signal Mtn., TN, 37377
Good Samaritan Fund for Mercy Ministry: Designated gifts are used exclusively to support our congregation through financial assistance. Simply write “Good Samaritan in the memo of your online gift or check.
SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 1:18-25 … Andy Cornett
SERMON: God With Us … Joey Sherrard (Associate Pastor of Discipleship)
GOD SENDS US OUT
Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me
What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer.
There is no more for heaven now to give.
He is my joy, my righteousness, and freedom,
my steadfast love, my deep and boundless peace.
To this I hold: my hope is only Jesus,
for my life is wholly bound to his.
Oh how strange and divine, I can sing: All is mine!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
The night is dark but I am not forsaken,
for by my side, the Savior, he will stay.
I labor on in weakness and rejoicing,
for in my need, his power is displayed.
To this I hold: my Shepherd will defend me;
through the deepest valley he will lead.
Oh the night has been won, and I shall overcome!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
No fate I dread, I know I am forgiven,
the future sure, the price it has been paid,
For Jesus bled and suffered for my pardon,
and he was raised to overthrow the grave.
To this I hold: my sin has been defeated.
Jesus now, and ever is my plea.
Oh, the chains are released, I can sing: I am free!
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
With ev’ry breath I long to follow Jesus,
for he has said that he will bring me home,
And day by day I know he will renew me
until I stand with joy before the throne.
To this I hold: my hope is only Jesus,
all the glory evermore to him.
When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat:
Yet not I, but through Christ in me.
CLOSING PRAYER & BENEDICTION
Postlude
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
- Where is there a place in your life where you have run out of ideas and out of strength? Do you feel as if this is precisely the kind of place that God delights to work?
- What does simple obedience look like in your life right now? What are the big or little acts of faith that God is calling you to?
MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT / ADVENT – see bulletin link
OUR VISION // For the glory of God, who makes all things new, Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church exists to equip all people to live ordinary life as the faithful presence of Jesus’ love.