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worship as communal exchange
called to come in
God comes near and calls his people out of the world, and takes hold of us and brings us into the community of Himself.SONG: Sing to the King
Sing to the King Who is coming to reign
Glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain
Life and salvation His empire shall bring
and joy to the nations, when Jesus is King
Come, let us sing a song
a song declaring we belong to Jesus
He is all we need
Lift up a heart of praise
Sing now with voices raised to Jesus
Sing to the King
For His returning we watch and we pray
We will be ready the dawn of that day
We’ll join in singing with all the redeemed
’cause Satan is vanquished and Jesus is King
Come, let us sing a song
a song declaring we belong to Jesus
He is all we need
Lift up a heart of praise
Sing now with voices raised to Jesus
Sing to the King
we hear | Lamentations 3:21-23
(leader)
This we call to mind, and therefore we have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases!
(all)
His mercies never come to an end! They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness!
(leader)
‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’
(all)
‘The Lord is my portion’, says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’
we respond | SONG: Before the Throne of God Above
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great High Priest whose name is love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless Righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace
One with Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation … Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
confessing our sin
God the Spirit reminds us that God the Father has saved us through the righteous life and sacrificial death of Christ the Son – and in faith we rest on his gracious interest to renew us yet again.we hear and confess | prayer adapted from Valley of Vision
Lord, high and holy, you have brought me to the valley of vision where I live in the depths, but see thee in the heights. Hemmed in by mountains of sin I see your glory. From this valley, show me anew my full forgiveness and righteousness through Christ. Let me learn by paradox that the way up is the way down, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart, that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul, that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown, that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision. This new year, let me find thy light in my darkness, thy joy in my sorrow, thy grace in my sin, thy riches in my poverty, and thy gospel of glory in my valley. Amen.
we rest | SONG: Sin is Powerless
Subdue in me, the love of sin
Wash my life, without, within
Teach my soul to long for only You
Teach us Lord, to cling to the truth
There is no guilt, no shame no hold on us You are victorious
There is no curse, no blame no fear in love now sin is powerless
So fill my life to overflow
I claim the cross as all my hope
Teach my soul to long for only You
Teach us Lord, to cling to the truth
The Spirit that raised You up from the grave is in us, is in us
We’re covered in grace our failures erased in Jesus, in Jesus
declaration | 2 Corinthians 5:21
(leader)
This is the gospel: for our sake God made him to be sin who knew no sin.
(all)
Thanks be to Christ! We have become the righteousness of God!
consecrated by Word
God declares the finished gospel of his Son, and continues his powerful, internal work of change/consecration by his Spirit.we hear | A Christian’s Perseverance • Philippians 1:6
we respond | SONG: All I Have is Christ
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life
SONG: Let Your Kingdom Come
Your glorious cause, O God
Engages our hearts
May Jesus Christ be known
Wherever we are
We ask not for ourselves
but for Your renown
The cross has saved us so we pray
Your kingdom come
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
So that everyone might know Your Name
Let Your song be heard
everywhere on earth
Till Your sovereign work on earth is done
Let Your kingdom come
Give us Your strength, O God
And courage to speak
Perform Your wondrous deeds
Through those who are weak
Lord use us as You want
whatever the test
By grace we’ll preach your Gospel till
our dying breath
Let Your kingdom come
Let Your will be done
So that everyone might know Your Name
Let Your song be heard
everywhere on earth
Till Your sovereign work on earth is done
Let Your kingdom come
benediction | Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.