Sunday 13 December 2020

A Service from St John's Church, Silverdale Gathering Saying Sorry Jesus says, ‘Repent for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ So let us turn away from sin and turn to Christ, confessing our sins in penitence and faith. The kingdom is yours, but we turn away from your just rule: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy The power is yours, but we trust in our own power and strength: Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. The glory is yours, but we fall short of the glory of God: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy Words of forgiveness May the God of love bring us back to himself, forgive us our sins, and assure us of his eternal love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The Special Prayer for this week God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord. Lighting the Advent Crown The third candle in our crown, like John the Baptist, lights the way, preparing for Jesus, coming soon, in ancient times just like today. Jesus, help us make way for you; O come, O come Emmanuel. In words and acts and in our lives, O come, O come Emmanuel. The Word of God There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John the Baptist denies being the Messiah 19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, ‘I am not the Messiah.’ 21 They asked him, ‘Then who are you? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ 22 Finally they said, ‘Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Make straight the way for the Lord.”’ 24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent 25 questioned him, ‘Why then do you baptise if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?’ 26 ‘I baptise with water,’ John replied, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’ 28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptising. This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Glory and power to the One Who loves us Honor and praise Him forever Come Lord Jesus, Come Lord Jesus Glory and power to the One Who freed us From all our sins by His blood Come Lord Jesus, Come Lord Jesus See Him coming on the clouds of heaven Every eye behold Him now He's the Living One, the First and Last Who once was dead but now He lives forever And ever Glory and power to the One Who made us Kingdom of priests for God's service Come Lord Jesus, Come Lord Jesus See Him coming on the clouds of heaven Every eye behold Him now He's the Living One, the First and Last Who once was dead, but now He lives forever And ever Jesus is the Living One Who died and came alive Jesus is the Mighty Lord Who was and is to come Jesus is the Living One Who died and came alive… Jesus is the Mighty Lord Who was and is to come See Him coming on the clouds of heaven Every eye behold Him now He's the Living One, the First and Last Who once was dead, but now He lives forever And ever (x2) See Him Coming © 2003 Mark Peterson, CCLI Song No: 4289410 Affirmation of faith Let us declare out faith in God. We believe in God the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. We believe in God the Son, who lives in our hearts through faith, and fills us with his love. We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who strengthens us with power from on high. We believe in one God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen Our Prayers Join with us in praying for the world, for our country, for our community and for ourselves. The response to We proclaim that Jesus, you have come, is and you will come again, help us work for the justice of your Kingdom. The Lord’s Prayer 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Send us out, Lord to have faith that the waiting seeds will bear fruit. Send us out, Lord, to trust you through our disappointments. Send us out, Lord, to take joy in the journey, rather than rush towards the destination. Send us out, Lord, to live with the tension of the now and the not yet. Send us out, Lord, to be patient and stand firm, because your coming is near. Amen