A Service for the Lord’s Day
December 20, 2020
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ.
[Light previous week’s 3 candles]
The fourth Advent candle stands for God’s gift of love that was demonstrated through sending his Son. Jesus shows us God’s perfect love. He is God’s love in human form. The apostle John writes: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” We light the fourth candle of Advent to remind us of how God, in his love, sent his Son as our Savior and Lord.
[Light 4th candle.]
As followers of Jesus, we await his return with love. Prepare the way of the Lord!
Prayer of Confession
Lord God, our lives are filled with sin. We forget our neighbor’s needs and do not love you above all else. We need a Savior. Help us to be ready with love for Jesus in our own hearts. O come, O come, Savior of the world. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: Our Savior has come! While we were sinners, Christ was born. Christ died. Christ rose in victory. And in him we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Scripture Reading
Sermon – Ready with Love – Rev. Blake Daniel
For those who prefer to worship from home this Sunday, we will be live-streaming the service. Simply visit our YouTube page at 11:00am to tune in. The service will also be saved as a video for you to view later if you wish. We thank you for your continued grace and patience as we try this new endeavor.
Affirmation of Faith – from The Theological Declaration of Barmen
As Jesus Christ is God’s assurance of the forgiveness of all our sins, so in the same way and with the same seriousness is he also God’s mighty claim upon our whole life. Through him befalls us a joyful deliverance from the godless fetters of this world for a free, grateful service to his creatures. We reject the false doctrine, as though there were areas of our life in which we would not belong to Jesus Christ, but to other lords... Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body is joined and knit together.
Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, to seek and save the world. We rejoice in his coming and long for his return in this Advent season. By your Spirit’s power, please hear our joys and concerns as we lift them up to you. We pray for…
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those in authority… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The needs of the community… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal, its mission, and those who minister… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The local congregation and its ministry, especially… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We offer these prayers in your name — Jesus, Emmanuel, our long-awaited Messiah. And we pray now as you taught us, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Tithes and Offerings
With gratitude for the gospel, we share our time, talents, and resources with the Lord. (You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779. Thank you!)
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Benediction
May the peace of the risen Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.